miller winnipeg help please

chris norton

Guest
Hi
hoping someone can assist me, just purchased a 2003 fiat ducato miller winnipeg.
I am struggling to get electrics and sockets to work in living area (lights work).
I have hooked it up to mains to see if there is any differance but still nothing and it is also tripping lights in house.
I have looked all over van to see if there is a differential switch as heard this my do the trick but nothing.
Please any ideas
Sorry am a first time novice
Cheers
Chris
 
If it's tripping the house fuses (RCB's) then it sounds liike you have a bad connection on your van.

First thing to check is the polarity of the connection going in to the van. I have know European wiring to be reverse to ours i.e Positive and Negatative swapped.
Even check out your cable isnt incorrectly wired?


The lights generally work from 12volts (the lesuire battery) so they will work even when not plugged in to the mains.

Were in the country are you?

It sounds like a simple enough job for someone armed with a meter to check out the connections.
 
Hi Chris
not an electrician but cant understand why it should trip the lights in the house and not plug sockets , unless you have it plugged into an outside light socket !
But i think i would first check the wiring on your van mains lead :goodluck:
 
morning, have you looked at the earth wire on van and have you taken both plugs off your hookup lead to so if any wires have come out and touching malc :wave:
 
Thankyou will try this.
With regards to leisure battery should this only power lights until hook up, all other appliances can only be used on hook-up ?
 
All the 12v powered devices - lights and water pump basically - will work either from the leisure battery, or the vehicle starter battery if that is selected on your control panel. The second option isn't advisable except in an emergency because you don't want to end up with a flat battery.

When the mains hookup is connected, that will provide power to the 13amp sockets in the 'van, power to the fridge if you switch it to mains power, and operate a charger that tops up the leisure battery. The lights and water pump continue to operate off the leisure battery.

You need to check, as has been advised, that your hookup cable is correctly wired and not damaged. (Incidentally, always full uncoil the hookup cable to avoid the risk of it overheating if a large load is connected in the 'van.)

There will also be an RCD (residual current detector) device (also known as earth leakage trip) somewhere in the 'van, just like in your house. Check that it works correctly, and check all the trip switches adjacent are functioning correctly too.

I have a copy of MMM (Motorcaravan Motorhome Monthly) Motorhome Book by Mark Sutcliffe - this is a really excellent book that you might wish to purchase to help you learn more about your motorhome and how to use it.

I got mine free with a MMM subscription. Normally sells for £14.99.

Regards

Chris
 
Many Thanks for you help Chris.
With the circuit breaker on off, the power is not tripping when i turn power on, s that normal ?
I have started buying MMM, it is extremely helpful
 
It very much sounds like there is a possible issue within the van when you throw the Mains switch on?

Chris has very kindly provided the basics to the initial checks, but you should be able to have all switched on without a fuss. The problem is that you either have an appliance or wiring fault, but being that you only have 1 x mains switch, it is difficult to identify what is the problem without getting down and dirty singling the circuits. British vans tend to follow good old fashioned rules by fusing each mains circuit like a house, but European vans (earlier builds) used only one switch and 9/10 was just an MCB and not an RCD switch. This has changed on most recent vans post 2006.

I would see if you can single out the mains devices, your Charger/Distribution unit should be an Electroblok unit, with a 3 pin mains kettle lead plugging into it. Try disconnecting the plug on the unit, then connect the mains again and reset your fuse. The fridge will be a nightmare, unless you are lucky enough that they have put a continental plug on it (Which isn't out of the ordinary). Remove the fridge covers and see if you can follow the mains lead to see if they have wired direct, or have indeed connected it via a continental socket.

My money is on the Electroblok, as this cannot be switched on and off like the fridge. I would be very shocked (boom boom) that it would be anything else. If you are stuck, PM me with your number and I can talk you through it.
 
Last edited:
NicknClair said:
It very much sounds like there is a possible issue within the van when you throw the Mains switch on?

Chris has very kindly provided the basics to the initial checks, but you should be able to have all switched on without a fuss. The problem is that you either have an appliance or wiring fault, but being that you only have 1 x mains switch, it is difficult to identify what is the problem without getting down and dirty singling the circuits. British vans tend to follow good old fashioned rules by fusing each mains circuit like a house, but European vans (earlier builds) used only one switch and 9/10 was just an MCB and not an RCD switch. This has changed on most recent vans post 2006.

I would see if you can single out the mains devices, your Charger/Distribution unit should be an Electroblok unit, with a 3 pin mains kettle lead plugging into it. Try disconnecting the plug on the unit, then connect the mains again and reset your fuse. The fridge will be a nightmare, unless you are lucky enough that they have put a continental plug on it (Which isn't out of the ordinary). Remove the fridge covers and see if you can follow the mains lead to see if they have wired direct, or have indeed connected it via a continental socket.

My money is on the Electroblok, as this cannot be switched on and off like the fridge. I would be very shocked (boom boom) that it would be anything else. If you are stuck, PM me with your number and I can talk you through it.
Click to expand...

SORRY for delay in reply to your very helpful info. Sorry am not that clued up(am useless actually) on electrics.
Where do i locate the Charger/Distribution unit- Electroblok unit ?
 
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