240v Autohomes Kamper

[brander]

I don't know if anyone can help but I'm trying to get the 240v circuits alive in my Autohomes Kamper. We bought her a few months ago and this is the first time I've tried the 240v mains hook up.

Both batteries are fine and the leisure battery runs the 12v internal lights fine. The RCD circuit breaker is all switched on and the test button trips ok so I assume 240v is coming in ok? But the 240v 3 pin plug socket, 3 way fridge and water pump footswitch are all dead. The fridge doesn't work on 12v setting either. Presumably, the water pump is 12v too? Any ideas where I should start?

Oh, and I've got a multimeter but just need some pointers on what to test.

Thanks in advance.

[brander]

Update - I've just discovered that the ice box is working on the fridge on 240v but I don't think the fridge is doing anything (assuming that normally, you can hear it cycling).

[1664]

Firstly the fridge is completely silent - it's what's called an absorption fridge and does not use a compressor/motor cooling system like a domestic fridge or freezer. It also takes a while (about an hour or so) for the absorption cycle to get going so you have to wait a bit before the metal tray in the ice box starts getting cold. The water pump is 12v and has nothing to do with the mains. There should be two mains sockets, one for the fridge in the cupboard and one in the over kitchen unit locker - that's all the hook up supplies unless you have a Zig fitted. If you have a Zig fitted, switch the amber mains switch on and it will illuminate, switch the adjacent switch to 'caravan' or 'mains' and switch the 12v switch to 'on' and all the 12v stuff should work. You might just have a knackered pump or foot switch.

[1664]

forgot to add - if you do have a Zig, check the fuses on that as one will feed the water pump

[andisnewsyncro]

Don't forget that your fridge should only run on 12v when the engine is running

[brander]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I guess that means the fridge is working ok off 240v (just me being impatient) because the metal tray iced up nicely.

No Zig unit so as you say, probably the water pump or switch kaput. Switch looks ok and I've cleaned up the contacts so I'll have a look at the connections at the pump end next. Oh, and one obvious thing - I was expecting to hear the pump but if it's silent, I guess putting water in the tank might help to see if it's working!

I'll try something else in the 240v socket in the kitchen locker - could be the appliance I tried is duff.

And on the positive side, all the gas works fine and she fired up and idled nicely while I was playing

[1664]

No it's the fridge that's silent - not the pump. The pump makes a right racket whether there's water in there or not.

There will still be a fuse for the water pump etc. I take it you have a small square shelf where the Zig would go then. Remove the screws holding the wooden top bit on and look inside. All the 12v wiring should be in there although I can't remember if the pump is fused seperately from the fridge ignition and lights etc.

As stated by andisnewsyncro the fridge only runs off 12v when the engine is running via a relay behind a wooden slat by the floor in the cupboard behind the driver's seat.

[brander]

Thanks for the heads up on the wiring under the shelf. I'll investigate tomorrow. The Autohomes manual lets you in on some of their secrets but not others

I was thinking about installing a Zig unit there - I don't suppose you happen to know which model would have been installed there by Autohomes originally?

[1664]

I shoved a CF6 in mine. Picture of it in my 80-90 'Garage'. All the wiring's stuffed in there so all you have to do is trace cables (and label them for future ref) and fit it.

A CF8 may fit too; I think they're the same physical dimensions.

[marcus_asparagus]

Guys,

Yep CF8 fits nicely, infact it looks the same as your CF6 except colour. Nice surprise to find all the wires hidden behind panel, saved me hours of wiring that!

Re waterpump, mine was working fine one day then not the next. Turned out to be the earth line under the seat for the pump somehow failed.
Had to run a new earth to the pump and all was well - just age I guess.

Good luck with van.

Mark.

[brander]

Cheers for the info Mark

[brander]

Well, thanks for your help everyone - everything's working fine now. The water pump was split right open - I suspect the water inside it had frozen. New pump - sorted although I need to replace the hose (what I thought was a black hose is actually supposed to be clear but it's full of crud). All the 240v and 12v circuits work fine and I've installed a new 12v cigar lighter socket. I'm not going to bother with the Zig at the moment - I've got a trickle charger which I use on hook-up from the garage to keep the batteries topped up.

Tell you what though, the electrics are much easier than re-wiring the years of bodges on my 1970 Fiat Spider