Electric in the van when driving.

Dazid1

Guest
Hi have just bought my first proper van, having had a conversion before. My question is, Is it normal for the power to be cut when the engine is running? The power goes off when the engine is running. I am assuming that there is no fault of course, but as soon as the engine starts to charge the lights go out. I wondered if it was linked to some regulation, and is there a way round it. The van is a Swift Royale 1997.

Daz
 
That's what happened on our last van but the current Autocruise allows the engine to be started whilst the power stays on. It turns off as soon as the vehicle moves. Presumably this is to allow charging from the engine or demisting. No idea how you would wire this up, though; it might need some sort of movement sensor in the circuit.
Andy
 
Mine stays on til the engine starts?? then goes off, can't see it as a big problem I just wondered.
 
The power is cut off when you start the engine. This allows a split charge relay to give alternator-fed power to your onboard battery charger and fridge while travelling.

I have a german van which has power in the hab area all the time if you so wish but the electronics are much more complicated.

My van charges the vehicle battery when hooked up to 240 volts but yours may or may not. Given the model of your van, I doubt if your battery charger will charge up your vehicle battery. One way to find out, is to put a multimeter across your vehicle battery and check the voltage. Plug the mains lead in and check the voltage again. If it is the same, you are only charging the leisure battery.
 
The handbook says it charges both when hooked up, but I will check it out to make sure before using the radio on site for any lengh of time. It does not mention anything about turning the poweer off though, I thought it would.
Thanks.
Daz
 
Mine switches off 12v (except fridge) when engine is started, but I find that it can get very dark in the back of the van at night. My son likes to read, but there is no facility for light.
I am considering fitting a 12v connection which will work when the engine is running so he can have a light plugged into it.
 
I suspect it's a legal requirement for the interior lights in a motorhome to be disabled when under way.

Presumably it's to prevent the driver's night vision from being impaired.
 
buses and coaches keep lights on in the back. there is no law that says we must drive in darkness in the cab. just easier to get full value from your exteriour lights to see where you are going.
 
power in van

Dazid1 said:
Hi have just bought my first proper van, having had a conversion before. My question is, Is it normal for the power to be cut when the engine is running? The power goes off when the engine is running. I am assuming that there is no fault of course, but as soon as the engine starts to charge the lights go out. I wondered if it was linked to some regulation, and is there a way round it. The van is a Swift Royale 1997.

Daz
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hi dazid.we have had 5 autotrails and all disable the electrics in the habituation area except the fridge - leisure battery and vehicle battery don't no why but we think most other m/h's do as well as charge up the batterty's on site .happy camping
 
I have got 4 belted seats in the back and I suppose it is to give the passengers the option to read or for kids to play electronic games.

Our kids are grown up and married (thank heaven) so that is not a problem. The dogs have never asked me to put the lights on. If they did, (apart from the shock of it) I would just draw the curtain behind the seats.
 
coolasluck said:
How was your tour of scotland jim?
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Hi stranger :D

It went very well. Lots of wildcamping spots up the East coast. We only shelled out money once for a stopover. That was Cruden Bay.It was £5 per night (honesty box), the money went towards the upkeep of the harbour, so a worthwhile cause.
 
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