Calira - successful repair

number14

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This is my experience when my Calira controller developed a fault 4 weeks ago. I hope the info here may be of use to others.

Recently the Calira 38/20 in my 11yr old MH stopped charging on EHU. I understand these units were not renowned for reliability so I guess it had lasted quite well.
Anyway what to do next? I reckoned on three options:-
1. Replace with a new currently available controller from a different manufacturer. However, the Calira is heavily integrated into the wiring and this would be a big job. As a retired engineer I have the skills and knowledge but definitely not the motivation!
2. Just add a good quality charger and leave the Calira to take care of the 12V and 240V distribution. A rather messy solution in my view and OK until the rest of the Calira gives up.
3. Try and source a repair.
I decided to go with option 3 initially and a trawl of various MH forums revealed 4 possibilities.

1. AandNcaravanservices - I believe these are a well respected company but they no longer service Calira and suggested I try Leisure Electronic Repairs
2. Apuljack Engineering - They quoted £255+VAT with a caveat that there is one particular fault (they didn't say what) that they cannot repair.
3. leisureelectronicrepairs.co.uk (David Brannon) - David was confident that he could not only repair but also upgrade for better reliability. He said that he had repaired and upgraded over 90 Caliras in the last 6 years. Cost would be £300 (no VAT) (Payment on completion) with a 6 month warranty.
4. Davan Caravans - Having by now decided to run with David Brannon, in the end I did not contact these.

All went smoothly with David Brannon. With a two week turn round, including shipping both ways, the Calira is now re-installed and working correctly. Time will tell regarding reliability, but just now I am happy to have a working unit with minimum inconvenience.
 
Calira Repairs

Having a Calira system, on my motorhome, I sympathise, with your problems, and wish you well, with your repaired unit.

In my own case, the Calira worked fine, for about 8 yrs, and then stopped charging, on 240v mains.
I too, had my unit upgraded/repaired, by David Brannon, and it was ok, for about 18 months, but then failed, again.
After discussing, with David Brannon, I sent it back, to him, and he repaired it, at a minimum cost, with excellent service, I might add.
Unfortunately, within a few months, it failed, for the third time. On this occasion, after removing the cover, I found that a component had badly overheated, and melted.

Having read many reports of other Calira owners suffering similar issues ( several were on their third replacement units ), I decided to fit a more robust, replacement charger.
So that the other associated systems still worked, I stripped out, the Calira control circuits, and mounted these in a position where they might be able to run at a cooler temperature.

That was nearly 5 yrs ago, and, so far, all is ok.
 
We had our Calira repaired by Davan about 8 years ago. They repaired the unit then added a fan to the circuit board to assist with cooling. It has been fine since. It charges the starter battery and two 95 amp cabin batteries. The cost back then was £150
 
Had a calira on one of our vans in the past.
That too Failed because I thought it could manage to charge 2 large batterys.easist option was to pub in a decent multi stage charger.and like your option just let the calira do the distribution part.
 
Thanks for your replies. Seems like ongoing reliability can be a bit of a lottery.

@Mick H. I think your solution could be my Plan B. What charger did you use?

@Martin P. My Calira is mounted in a well ventilated space and in re-fitting it I have moved it slightly to give it more air. However, I like the idea of a cooling fan. I shan't open the unit as that will spoil David Brannon's warranty but I could mount one near or against the ventilation slots.

@tailgate. I have read the comprehensive advice on A&N Caravan Services website; I think many of us have. Fortunately as my hab. battery is only 100Ah and the starter battery 95Ah, my system falls within the suggested maximum. Hope this will help with longevity.
 
number14 said:
Thanks for your replies. Seems like ongoing reliability can be a bit of a lottery.

@Mick H. I think your solution could be my Plan B. What charger did you use?
Click to expand...

I fitted an Amperor 25 Amp, 3 stage charger, which, unfortunately are no longer produced. It has an internal fan, which rarely operates, presumably because the charger doesn't normally overheat. so far, it has proved to be quite robust, and reliable.
There are several similar chargers, to the Amperor, available, which should be more reliable, than the Calira unit.

In my opinion, fitting a replacement charger, was much more economical, than having the Calira repaired, but, of course, that comes with that wonderful thing called "Hindsight".
 
I also have a cailra unit that's faulty.
No mains charging for vehicle battery.
Can someone recommend a charger that I can piggyback on top of the cailra.
Cheaper the better please lol

Sent from my POCOPHONE F1 using Tapatalk
 
The cooling fan on the circuit board repaired by Davan only cuts in when needed. It is quite an elegant repair/ upgrade I think. I have to say that ( touchwood,) they did a first class permanent repair. Reading about them though (the calira ) and I am sorry but cant find the link it is a good idea to keep the hab bats below 200 ah
You pays your money etc but for me Davan offered the best solution. To try to figure out and rewire or workbin a piggy back was looking lke a nightmare.
 
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