I have mains power connected to the van from the house.
I have no power what so ever.
The main power safety switch in the van is in the on position.
Switch it off and it auto goes back to the on position, but no power.
Any ideas would be better than what I have done as I am not a sparky of any sort.
Thanks
Jay&Dee
Kebbin said
07:28 PM May 24, 2020
I would have to say that there wouldn't be a power switch in Australia that would auto turn on after turning it off, it's a bit of a health issue. It would however turn off straight away if there was a fault.
Bill B said
07:29 PM May 24, 2020
Disconnect lead from van and plug something else into the lead and see if it works, then you will know if the problem is the van.
Aus-Kiwi said
08:02 PM May 24, 2020
Is there an RCD / safety switch in Van ? As said check with another appliance to check power ? Elect drill, vacuum Cleaner etc Seems you have a faulty switch ? Get it checked ? May have a reverse polarity ?!
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Sunday 24th of May 2020 08:04:57 PM
thomas01 said
08:15 PM May 24, 2020
Hi Jay & Dee.
Do you know if it is the main power switch or the safety switch/circuit breaker?
Are you sure which position of the power switch is ON?
Either of them are usually in the ON position when the switch lever is up.
It is illegal for the power to turn itself on automatically so I am guessing that the switch is turning itself OFF rather than ON.
As we don't yet know which switch it is, there may be several reasons for the power not staying on.
I would suggest that you make sure that all power points, lights, fridge, stove/oven, hot water service, battery charger, air conditioner/heater and any other electrical devices are turned off before you try to reset the power. If the "switch" then stays in the ON position, try turning all the other switches/devices on one at a time and see if the power stays on. If it turns off after reconnecting any particular device, try the process again, this time leaving the suspect device off and see whether all other devices are ok. If there is a faulty device, get it checked out or replace it.
If, after turning all the devices/appliances off and resetting the switch the power doesn't stay on, seek professional advice. It could be faulty wiring. It could be a faulty main switch or faulty safety switch.
If you could let us know some more details or maybe a photo of the offending switch that would be good.
Good luck with it.
Robert
Long Weekend said
10:01 PM May 24, 2020
Most RCD switches are imported from America (at least what were installed in both my Jaycos) and the toggles work in reverse to Australia. that is, UP is on, down is OFF.
So, if the toggle is up (on) and when power is applied the toggle flicks down (off) sounds like a short somewhere.
Murray
Bill B said
10:18 PM May 24, 2020
If fault is in the van, the hot water system would be my bet as the culprit.
Switch it off and unplug it and see if power still trips.
Old and Grey said
10:32 PM May 24, 2020
Hi Jay & Dee,
Leave the power lead disconnected from the van. Plug a kettle into the lead to see if the lead is working first.
Unscrew the four screws to the power inlet to your van and pull the plug forward.
One or more of the wires may have come lose.
Push any of them that are lose, back into the hole from which it came and tighten all up with screw driver to match.
Re Afix to van and Then plug extention lead back in.
Regards Grey.
DMaxer said
08:33 AM May 25, 2020
Hi JayDee. I think Bill may be right. I am certainly no sparkie but that is similar to what happened in my van earlier this year. When I hooked up to mains power it shut down immediately. I checked by using appliances on the electric lead and they all worked but as soon as I reconnected it to the van it turned off.
After much detailed searching by the electrician it was a faulty element in the hot water system. I turned off the HWS and all worked okay.
littledick said
08:35 AM May 25, 2020
Old and Grey wrote:
Hi Jay & Dee,
Leave the power lead disconnected from the van. Plug a kettle into the lead to see if the lead is working first.
Unscrew the four screws to the power inlet to your van and pull the plug forward.
One or more of the wires may have come lose.
Push any of them that are lose, back into the hole from which it came and tighten all up with screw driver to match.
Re Afix to van and Then plug extention lead back in.
Regards Grey.
Yes, this happened to us in van park. One of the points had pushed in so no contact. Service bloke came to park and fixed it. I wouldn't have thought of it.
Dick.
Bobdown said
04:02 PM May 25, 2020
Hi Jay and Dee,
Would be interested to hear if you have solved this issue and if so how?
As suggested, I would test the lead first, then turn everything off and isolate things one at a time.
Cheers Bob
JayDee said
07:27 AM May 26, 2020
Hi Bob
I have tested the lead and power will be getting to the van. I also removed the inlet power point on the van and all the wires are very secure.
I now need to locate my multi meter to check all the electrical outlets inside the van.
Jay&Dee
thomas01 said
08:17 PM May 29, 2020
JayDee,
It would be good to let us know whether you have fixed the problem. Believe it or not, most people would like to know if their advice was helpful.
We all learn (hopefully) from reading these posts.
How did you get on?
Regards Robert
Warren-Pat_01 said
09:41 PM May 29, 2020
Hi JayDee,
I have a power point tester that my "assistant" plugs into the closest power point after she has connected the van to the power lead. If the correct neons don't light up, it's my headache!
I recall I bought it from Jaycar many moons ago. They have something similar, a bit more up to date with LEDs - "Power Point and Earth Leakage Tester" - CAT.NO: QP2004 - $34.95 (are offering 10% off with online ordering).
They take up little room in an easily accessible drawer.
Your problem - I suspect the RCD - possibly hidden in a cupboard.
JayDee said
10:12 AM May 31, 2020
Hi Robert and Warren and other subscribers,
No..... I have not attempted to do anything further as we had problems with or house hold fridge and the cost of same = replacing with a new fridge.
But I will try to fix the problem myself prior to call my Electrician.
Cheers and will advise the end result when appropriate.
Cheers
Jay&dee
Bill B said
10:08 AM Jun 18, 2020
Jaydee have you resolved this issue ?
Kebbin said
11:51 AM Jun 20, 2020
I see your ready and raring to travel again JayDee, so what was the solution to your power problem, Anastasia?
I have mains power connected to the van from the house.
I have no power what so ever.
The main power safety switch in the van is in the on position.
Switch it off and it auto goes back to the on position, but no power.
Any ideas would be better than what I have done as I am not a sparky of any sort.
Thanks
Jay&Dee
Is there an RCD / safety switch in
Van ? As said check with another appliance to check power ? Elect drill, vacuum
Cleaner etc Seems you have a faulty switch ? Get it checked ? May have a reverse polarity ?!
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Sunday 24th of May 2020 08:04:57 PM
Do you know if it is the main power switch or the safety switch/circuit breaker?
Are you sure which position of the power switch is ON?
Either of them are usually in the ON position when the switch lever is up.
It is illegal for the power to turn itself on automatically so I am guessing that the switch is turning itself OFF rather than ON.
As we don't yet know which switch it is, there may be several reasons for the power not staying on.
I would suggest that you make sure that all power points, lights, fridge, stove/oven, hot water service, battery charger, air conditioner/heater and any other electrical devices are turned off before you try to reset the power. If the "switch" then stays in the ON position, try turning all the other switches/devices on one at a time and see if the power stays on. If it turns off after reconnecting any particular device, try the process again, this time leaving the suspect device off and see whether all other devices are ok. If there is a faulty device, get it checked out or replace it.
If, after turning all the devices/appliances off and resetting the switch the power doesn't stay on, seek professional advice. It could be faulty wiring. It could be a faulty main switch or faulty safety switch.
If you could let us know some more details or maybe a photo of the offending switch that would be good.
Good luck with it.
Robert
So, if the toggle is up (on) and when power is applied the toggle flicks down (off) sounds like a short somewhere.
Murray
Switch it off and unplug it and see if power still trips.
Hi Jay & Dee,
Leave the power lead disconnected from the van. Plug a kettle into the lead to see if the lead is working first.
Unscrew the four screws to the power inlet to your van and pull the plug forward.
One or more of the wires may have come lose.
Push any of them that are lose, back into the hole from which it came and tighten all up with screw driver to match.
Re Afix to van and Then plug extention lead back in.
Regards Grey.
Hi JayDee. I think Bill may be right. I am certainly no sparkie but that is similar to what happened in my van earlier this year. When I hooked up to mains power it shut down immediately. I checked by using appliances on the electric lead and they all worked but as soon as I reconnected it to the van it turned off.
After much detailed searching by the electrician it was a faulty element in the hot water system. I turned off the HWS and all worked okay.
Yes, this happened to us in van park. One of the points had pushed in so no contact. Service bloke came to park and fixed it. I wouldn't have thought of it.
Dick.
Would be interested to hear if you have solved this issue and if so how?
As suggested, I would test the lead first, then turn everything off and isolate things one at a time.
Cheers Bob
Hi Bob
I have tested the lead and power will be getting to the van. I also removed the inlet power point on the van and all the wires are very secure.
I now need to locate my multi meter to check all the electrical outlets inside the van.
Jay&Dee
It would be good to let us know whether you have fixed the problem. Believe it or not, most people would like to know if their advice was helpful.
We all learn (hopefully) from reading these posts.
How did you get on?
Regards Robert
I have a power point tester that my "assistant" plugs into the closest power point after she has connected the van to the power lead. If the correct neons don't light up, it's my headache!
I recall I bought it from Jaycar many moons ago. They have something similar, a bit more up to date with LEDs - "Power Point and Earth Leakage Tester" - CAT.NO: QP2004 - $34.95 (are offering 10% off with online ordering).
They take up little room in an easily accessible drawer.
Your problem - I suspect the RCD - possibly hidden in a cupboard.
Hi Robert and Warren and other subscribers,
No..... I have not attempted to do anything further as we had problems with or house hold fridge and the cost of same = replacing with a new fridge.
But I will try to fix the problem myself prior to call my Electrician.
Cheers and will advise the end result when appropriate.
Cheers
Jay&dee
I see your ready and raring to travel again JayDee, so what was the solution to your power problem, Anastasia?