Habitation electrics not switching on

Benylin

Benylin

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I have a problem with the habitation electrics as fitted to our motorhome - which has a CBE System.

Briefly, when I attempt to turn on the control panel(PCE320-CA) the startup screen comes on but when I release the button it doesn't power up and panel goes dead. If I continue to hold the button down for a few more seconds it comes up with an "!" which indicates "system anomaly”.

If I either connect the motorhome to 230v or run the vehicle engine, then pressing the aforementioned button does indeed bring the habitation power on and all systems work normally for as long as those 2 power sources are connected.

Both vehicle and habitation batteries are fully charged and in good condition. (12.7v & 13.6v)

Have reseated all plugs onto the 12v distribution/relay board & checked all fuses.

This scenario has happened briefly on a couple of recent occasions but was clearable, however it’s now a hard on fault.
Any advice would be welcome.
 
Can't give an answer but I would try and disconnect hab power leave for a few seconds. retry and see how it pans out Ben
 
Did you measure those voltages with the mains disconnected/engine off? Ideally after an hour or so.
 
There is usually a "master" in line fuse between the +ve terminal of the leisure battery and the distribution board.

If this fuse blows the leisure battery doesn't power the 12v hab system and nothing works.

However, thins will work off the engine or the output from the EHU battery charger.

Try following the thick red from the leisure battery to the distibution board and see if you can find the fuse.
 
r4dent said:
There is usually a "master" in line fuse between the +ve terminal of the leisure battery and the distribution board.

If this fuse blows the leisure battery doesn't power the 12v hab system and nothing works.

However, thins will work off the engine or the output from the EHU battery charger.

Try following the thick red from the leisure battery to the distibution board and see if you can find the fuse.
Click to expand...
There are 2 fuses next to the leisure batteries - marked main vehicle fuse & backup structure fuse - and these are both good.

Also getting 13.6v on the main input to the distribution board.

Had the leisure batteries disconnected overnight and they happily hold their charge.

Beginning to wonder if there's a problem with the distribution board itself. (CBE DS450-CA) which has a number of relays
- but then why would it work with the engine running?

btw thanks for all replies.
 
r4dent said:
There is usually a "master" in line fuse between the +ve terminal of the leisure battery and the distribution board.

If this fuse blows the leisure battery doesn't power the 12v hab system and nothing works.

However, thins will work off the engine or the output from the EHU battery charger.

Try following the thick red from the leisure battery to the distibution board and see if you can find the fuse.
Click to expand...
Cant be that, if it was the fuse the panel would be completely dead.
Tiny chance it's a high resistance (corroded connection) as steve suggested in the supply/neg to the main panel but I doubt it.
More likely a defect in the main panel, sorry:(
If you can take a look at the type number on your main panel/fuse unit (probably starts with DS) and see if you can find an internal schematic diagram on the net somewhere I can take a look, probably a burned out PCB track or relay as you say.
Benylin said:
Also getting 13.6v on the main input to the distribution board.
Click to expand...
You need to check to see if you still have power at the distribution board input WHILE you're trying to power the system up, I guess you will but it's one of the first voltage checks to make to start a diagnosis.
 
merl said:
Cant be that, if it was the fuse the panel would be completely dead.
Tiny chance it's a high resistance (corroded connection) as steve suggested in the supply/neg to the main panel but I doubt it.
More likely a defect in the main panel, sorry:(
If you can take a look at the type number on your main panel/fuse unit (probably starts with DS) and see if you can find an internal schematic diagram on the net somewhere I can take a look, probably a burned out PCB track or relay as you say.

You need to check to see if you still have power at the distribution board input WHILE you're trying to power the system up, I guess you will but it's one of the first voltage checks to make to start a diagnosis.
Click to expand...
I will check that (tomorrow on returning to van) to see if I still have power at the board whilst trying to switch on.

The type no. of the distribution/relay/fuse board is a DS450-CA with the CA denoting Carthago and had no joy finding a schematic for this model.
Plenty for the DS300 but that is substantially different.

Had a good look around the board and did find one relay which looked a bit iffy.

Guess if I HAVE covered everything else I'm gonna have to find a replacement board


distribution board relay.jpg
 
st3v3 said:
I'd like to try and measure voltage (on battery only) at the panel as you try and turn it in just to rule out any connection issues.
Click to expand...
To correct my initial post, the only way I can get the control panel to power up the habitation electrics is when the engine is running, and in this state every system (Truma, lights, audio, water pump etc.) appears to be functioning correctly.

If I switch off the engine or disconnect 230v the panel goes dead. If I then press and hold control panel on for an extended period it comes up with an "!" (system anomaly) followed by indication "leisure battery (B2) has run down.

When I measure the voltage on the distribution board and try to turn it on the reading is at 13.7v and stays there.
 
So that rules out a poor/high resistance connection between the battery and the fuse panel.
The relay in the photo above looks like a mains relay, if it is then that's not the problem.
Personally I'd be unpluggung all the connectors/cables, removing the board and taking a look a at the tracks on the reverse, you'll be able to see if anything's got hot or failed and also trace the wiring from the leisure battery to see where that goes and then probably remove and check that relay. If you dont feel confident with this then it looks like a repair/replace job TBF.
 
13.6 is the van running and 12.7 is hab battery ?.
Earth go's to fuse box earth or metal houseing
live go's to live be careful with this one
Have you got an 12v invertor run that from hab battery so under load and see if it holds charge , hope it dont
Unplug shore power / 240v first.
Or more work change around altonator wire and hab battery wire. Input to system. Jump lead mite be long enough if not jump leads
start van turn all high voltage 12v appliances off at the screen and and pull fuses from hab fuse box, then use extension long lead. To connect power to altonator input. Just be mite be dry soldering on hab input of board.or dry fuse or eye on battery on that line into board if van is hab earth run a second earth to vans body or to fuse box of hab area from hab battery As a test.
As it works from alternative power input
 
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