Interior lights

[Demelza]

Hello

It seems that my interior (12v) lights will not work unless the ignition is swtched on. Surely this isn't right - is it ...?

Any advice welcome!

[CovKid]

Which ones? Ones above doors?

[Demelza]

No, the strip light above the sink and the spotlight on the forward face of the large overhead cupboard. The door lights work fine.

The manual I got with the camper says (in reference to the zig control unit) -

"When on site, the control unit charging switch should be switched to 'on site.' This will ensure that any 12 volt current will only be drawn from the secondary battery. If for any reason the secondary battery will not operate the 12 volt equipment, then it is possible to run the equipment from the vehicle battery by switching the charging unit to 'touring.'"

It also says -

"Turn on the 12 volt switch on the control unit. The battery condition indicator light will light either red or green, depending on battery condition."

- but this doesn't happen.

I can only get the 12v equipment to work if I'm connected to mains, or the ignition switch is on if I'm wild camping.

[a1winchester]

Excuse me if this sounds like a dumb question, but have you got a leisure battery connected? and if so, is it charged?

Also, is your van a 'homegrown' conversion, or a well known factory job?

[Demelza]

Hi, yes there is a leisure battery which is fine, as far as I'm aware. Is there a way to test it?

It does say in the manual, that -

"If, for any reason, the secondary battery will not operate the 12 volt equipment, then it is possible to run the equipment from the vehicle battery by switching the charging unit to 'touring.'"

I have tried this but the equipment still does not work.

The conversion has been done by Autohomes (it's a Kameo) - fairly well known, I think?

[a1winchester]

Hi, yes there is a leisure battery which is fine, as far as I'm aware. Is there a way to test it?

It does say in the manual, that -

"If, for any reason, the secondary battery will not operate the 12 volt equipment, then it is possible to run the equipment from the vehicle battery by switching the charging unit to 'touring.'"

I have tried this but the equipment still does not work.

The conversion has been done by Autohomes (it's a Kameo) - fairly well known, I think?

Check the leisure battery with a voltmeter. You said the battery charge indicator isn't working, so worth doing.
Or put it on a charger to make sure it's fully charged.

[kevtherev]

Fuses?
What's the 12v equipment?
Just lights?
Maybe a blow air heater?
The fridge does not run off the battery.

[Demelza]

Thanks, a1. The lights should still work through the vehicle battery, however, if the leisure battery doesn't do it.

kevtherev: the 12v equipment (just two lights) works perfectly well when connected to hook-up, so does this mean fuses are okay? Have never used the heating system as the switch is broken. The fridge can run off the 12v system battery or via mains.

[a1winchester]

I think you will find that the fridge only works off the battery while the engine is running. That's the usual setup. It's also usual for internal (leisure) lights to only work off leisure battery / possibly mains. That avoids draining the starter, but this might be different on yours.