Need help here, I really do. I blow a 10amp fuse (red) every time I move from point A to point B. Happened three or four times now. Cant remember it was an issue when my van was new (3 years old). But these days I carry spares. By the way the circuit that it supplies seems to be light over kitchen sink, stove igniter, & vent/light over stove.
Trying to figure out a fix, I realised when on the move or anytime really, I havent turned off the 12 volt MAIN switch just inside the door, you know the black rocker switch in the middle of the light switches. What does THAT SWITCH turn off ?. When should it be off.?
I run with 2 solar panels/ 2 batteries, all the usual stuff
I assumed when turned off, the lights wouldnt function, but that not the case. So what do youall think?
Oh by the way! my first post and I have lots of questions, but this is a good starter.
Mick
edit : the black switch is the remote switch for the battery protector so if I turn off the main switch at the battery protector this then activates the black switch at the doorway. Got that sorted. But still why would I blow a fuse when on the move. Which of the following would be the problem, light above sink, light in stove vent, motor in stove vent, or gas stove igniter. But as you know none of these are operating when on the road. Cant figure it.
-- Edited by Posthole Mick on Thursday 25th of October 2018 08:36:28 PM
Possum3 said
11:10 AM Oct 25, 2018
There is normally an isolation switch for all 12v next to door - What make of caravan? Best way to get correct answer is name the brand.
Basically fuses blow if overloaded, short circuited wiring, undersized wires.
Aus-Kiwi said
11:38 AM Oct 25, 2018
Yep . Unless you have a hell a lot of condensation in exhaust vent ? Breaker maybe a better option ? ( Wont fix problem.. Fit after fixing faults .,
madaboutled said
08:13 PM Oct 25, 2018
Check the rangehood, its the one appliance that contains the most wiring. In over 8 years doing LED conversions I've found the rangehood the most likely source of the problem you've described. Not saying it is.... just the most likely.
JBDUBBO said
10:04 PM Oct 27, 2018
If you have globes with elements in them ( not LED) it could be a globe with a piece of filament floating around and shorting out. I would discount the stove ignitor, Normally the 12 volt master switch operates a relay that turns off all 12volt power. You should be able to check by operating the switch and see what is on or off.
Posthole Mick said
11:30 AM Oct 28, 2018
JB, the 2 lights are leds and when switched off at the main switch nothing 12 volt works. Just returned from the Waterhole Rocks shindig at Nanango and as expected fuse blown on that circuit, and as you know none of those items being used in transit. But the main switch was in the on position during the trip. Maybe I could try travelling with main switch off, but not sure if any downside to that. Either way something is wrong somewhere, as I did not have this issue in the early days of ownership. May still try titanium caravans in Melbourne ( Joe) for help, he has been brilliant with warranty fix ups. Sounds like an unusual fault to me.
mick
Posthole Mick said
11:33 AM Oct 28, 2018
Led, rangehood is my preferred trouble maker but none of that stuff is turned on in transit.
mick
PeterD said
02:56 PM Oct 28, 2018
Mick, Possum asked what brand of caravan you have. You have not answered him, people tend to get cross with people asking questions and they are not forthcoming with an answer.
If you think an item is the problem, to confirm that you disconnect it from the power, tape the supply wire so it does not short and see if the problem occurs after your next move. If the problem is still there then try another culprit for the next move.
Another thing for you to consider. Have you added something to the van lately? Often during a repair or an addition a nail or screw used in the process can pierce a wire and cause a short. It has even been known for a fixing used in the initial construction of the van to wear through the insulation of an active wire due to the flexing of the body during traveling.
Posthole Mick said
09:39 AM Nov 5, 2018
Peterd
Thanks for that idea, thats a goodie, Ill do that next time. And apologies to possum, but I dont really want to mention brand name just yet, Ill save that for later.
mick
PeterD said
11:10 AM Nov 5, 2018
Mick, a high proportion of vans have problems. No one condemns any particular van manufacturer from just a few reports of minor things like you are asking about. If you have one of the popular vans then you are going to get a much quicker diagnosis from someone who has a similar van. What is the problem with identifying your van? Are you having major problems that are likely to lead to legal action?
Gus1949 said
02:15 PM Nov 8, 2018
At the end of a days drive with the power off, before you switch it on, check the fuse to see if it is blown. This may help with tracking down what the cause of the problem is. I'm not a tech expert but it might give you a "light globe" moment that sends you exploration off in the right direction.
Posthole Mick said
08:49 PM Dec 1, 2018
Gus,
Yes sir thats the plan, travel with the 12volt main switch off and see what happens at the destinatio. And guys for what its worth the brand of van is TITANIUM ( Sunseeker) made by joe and co In Melbourne . Not many of them around I would think.
Hey everybody,
Need help here, I really do. I blow a 10amp fuse (red) every time I move from point A to point B. Happened three or four times now. Cant remember it was an issue when my van was new (3 years old). But these days I carry spares. By the way the circuit that it supplies seems to be light over kitchen sink, stove igniter, & vent/light over stove.
Trying to figure out a fix, I realised when on the move or anytime really, I havent turned off the 12 volt MAIN switch just inside the door, you know the black rocker switch in the middle of the light switches. What does THAT SWITCH turn off ?. When should it be off.?
I run with 2 solar panels/ 2 batteries, all the usual stuff
I assumed when turned off, the lights wouldnt function, but that not the case. So what do youall think?
Oh by the way! my first post and I have lots of questions, but this is a good starter.
Mick
edit : the black switch is the remote switch for the battery protector so if I turn off the main switch at the battery protector this then activates the black switch at the doorway. Got that sorted. But still why would I blow a fuse when on the move. Which of the following would be the problem, light above sink, light in stove vent, motor in stove vent, or gas stove igniter. But as you know none of these are operating when on the road. Cant figure it.
-- Edited by Posthole Mick on Thursday 25th of October 2018 08:36:28 PM
Basically fuses blow if overloaded, short circuited wiring, undersized wires.
Check the rangehood, its the one appliance that contains the most wiring. In over 8 years doing LED conversions I've found the rangehood the most likely source of the problem you've described. Not saying it is.... just the most likely.
If you have globes with elements in them ( not LED) it could be a globe with a piece of filament floating around and shorting out. I would discount the stove ignitor, Normally the 12 volt master switch operates a relay that turns off all 12volt power. You should be able to check by operating the switch and see what is on or off.
JB, the 2 lights are leds and when switched off at the main switch nothing 12 volt works. Just returned from the Waterhole Rocks shindig at Nanango and as expected fuse blown on that circuit, and as you know none of those items being used in transit. But the main switch was in the on position during the trip. Maybe I could try travelling with main switch off, but not sure if any downside to that. Either way something is wrong somewhere, as I did not have this issue in the early days of ownership. May still try titanium caravans in Melbourne ( Joe) for help, he has been brilliant with warranty fix ups. Sounds like an unusual fault to me.
mick
Led, rangehood is my preferred trouble maker but none of that stuff is turned on in transit.
mick
If you think an item is the problem, to confirm that you disconnect it from the power, tape the supply wire so it does not short and see if the problem occurs after your next move. If the problem is still there then try another culprit for the next move.
Another thing for you to consider. Have you added something to the van lately? Often during a repair or an addition a nail or screw used in the process can pierce a wire and cause a short. It has even been known for a fixing used in the initial construction of the van to wear through the insulation of an active wire due to the flexing of the body during traveling.
Peterd
Thanks for that idea, thats a goodie, Ill do that next time. And apologies to possum, but I dont really want to mention brand name just yet, Ill save that for later.
mick
Gus,
Yes sir thats the plan, travel with the 12volt main switch off and see what happens at the destinatio. And guys for what its worth the brand of van is TITANIUM ( Sunseeker) made by joe and co In Melbourne . Not many of them around I would think.
Thanks all for your imput
Mick.