Where will i find the relay?

It's really difficult to get to. I think the chair might have to come out, which happened recently when I had a solar panel fitted. A friend has kindly offered to help 😀
 
Carol you may have hit the nail on the head here.

if I think about it I bet this problem started when you had the solar panel fitted I think you will be better trying an Auto Electrician see if there is one about the does Home visits

Alf

carol said:
It's really difficult to get to. I think the chair might have to come out, which happened recently when I had a solar panel fitted. A friend has kindly offered to help ��
Click to expand...
 
What do you mean Alf? I know people on the forum who understand the electrics so I don't think I'll need to get someone in. It has been working since I had the panel fitted.
 
With a Solar panel fitted the battery should remain charged with no input from the engine. However there are a number of things to establish.
1) never undo a battery terminal with the solar connected/charging you will most likely ruin the regulator.
2) Your battery may well be dead depends on the age of it. Is it sealed or does it need topping up. Once it drops below 10.5v it is damaged and may never recover.
3) Is your fridge a 3 way fridge or a compressor fridge. At this time of the year there will not be enough sun to run the fridge, a short run will not charge a battery very well and neither will a long run unless you have a battery master or similar fitted.

So you must determine
a) is the solar actually charging- use a voltmeter to check voltages at the solar regulator.
b) is the split charge relay working - use voltmeter across the leisure battery terminals, voltage should rise when the engine is running.
if a and b checks show charge then either the battery is shot or there is a short circuit somewhere in the system. If you cannot run the fridge on gas you cannot expect it to work properly in the winter as the sun is so low in the sky and charge rates drop, a lot.
There are many parts to a system and each must be proven without causing damage to another.
 
Carol roughly where abouts are you Its often the last work done the disturbs or disconnects wiring

Alf


carol said:
What do you mean Alf? I know people on the forum who understand the electrics so I don't think I'll need to get someone in. It has been working since I had the panel fitted.
Click to expand...
 
wildman said:
With a Solar panel fitted the battery should remain charged with no input from the engine. However there are a number of things to establish.
1) never undo a battery terminal with the solar connected/charging you will most likely ruin the regulator.
2) Your battery may well be dead depends on the age of it. Is it sealed or does it need topping up. Once it drops below 10.5v it is damaged and may never recover.
3) Is your fridge a 3 way fridge or a compressor fridge. At this time of the year there will not be enough sun to run the fridge, a short run will not charge a battery very well and neither will a long run unless you have a battery master or similar fitted.

So you must determine
a) is the solar actually charging- use a voltmeter to check voltages at the solar regulator.
b) is the split charge relay working - use voltmeter across the leisure battery terminals, voltage should rise when the engine is running.
if a and b checks show charge then either the battery is shot or there is a short circuit somewhere in the system. If you cannot run the fridge on gas you cannot expect it to work properly in the winter as the sun is so low in the sky and charge rates drop, a lot.
There are many parts to a system and each must be proven without causing damage to another.
Click to expand...

We are fast approaching the time of year that you will be lucky to get 100 w of electric from a panel per day (8.3 amps ish) cloud , shorter days, most panels are catching sunlight when it is there at an oblique angle, totally different scenario to mid summer sun overhead and long hours of daylight. Doesnt help the OP and a touch OT but worth a mention.

back to the ops dilemma sounds to me , like a relay fault. The fridge on 12 v should work via the alternator and associated relay hence works when engine running when things tickety boo. The flat leisure battery is a charging fault. Not enough meaningful info really...Now we have established a solar panel part of the mix, is the charger a dual charger ? that then gives two options

A) a fault with the split/ charger....could be a relay /fuse
B) if the solar charger is dual could be faulty, charging the main battery and not recognising the leisure battery ?

with a multimeter all this first things i would be checking. I am no expert but seems a logical method to drill down to the problem

Channa
 
If the seat was removed when the solar panel was fitted it is possible the relays were disturbed with the solar panel fitting and it could be your recent run to France caused them to be disturbed even more, few bumpy roads etc. and 12v electrics are not like 240v, the slightest resistance causes problems, are you at home Carol?, perhaps a local member can help
I wish you were near to me, in the nicest possible way of course:tongue:
 
Thanks again everyone. Fortunately it's not urgent as I don't have any long trips planned and the only thing that's affected is running the fridge while I'm driving. Something I forgot to mention, which surprised me, was that the battery rejuvenates by the morning....although having said that it didn't last time after a long drive to Dunquerke.
 
If the battery rejuvenates by the morning it suggests the battery is OK, I would check the relays and alternator output
 
if it "rejuenates" by morning it proves the solar is charging, what you are seeing is a charge voltage not the battery voltage it could still be a knackered battery no holding a charge.
 
Intrequed here. If the battery rejuvenates itself overnight does that mean your solar panels are working in the dark ?😃
 
shortcircuit said:
Intrequed here. If the battery rejuvenates itself overnight does that mean your solar panels are working in the dark ?😃
Click to expand...

Haha, could be on to a winner! But they did, enough for lights to work again anyway. When I get it sorted I'll post the diagnosis and solution....
 
I suspect a flat battery here,what position do you leave the master switch on the Zig panel over the rear door.Whilst you are not using the van as much why not remove the battery and give it a good bench charge and get it tested.

Alf
 
Hi Alf, while it was happening in France someone I was with tested the battery and said it was good. I usually turn the zig unit switches off when not using though sometimes forget which hasn't made a difference before. If necessary, when it's looked at, will definitely give it a bench charge.
 
Carol normally with Auto-Sleepers you need to leave the masters switch on to charge the battery on hook up either van or leisure battery

Alf




carol said:
Hi Alf, while it was happening in France someone I was with tested the battery and said it was good. I usually turn the zig unit switches off when not using though sometimes forget which hasn't made a difference before. If necessary, when it's looked at, will definitely give it a bench charge.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Alf, I was referring to when the van is not in use. On hook up, which I haven't done until my France visit, obviously it would be left on!
 
some quick checks have been done with a clamp meter and there is no power being drained with fridge off or on and with engine running battery charging but went to check fuses for signs of bad connections and just the plastic cap came away so looks like fuse has been overheating and have been told this is a common problem.

does any body know if original relay/fuse blocks are available or are these a suitable replacement

Relay socket with 3 fuses

Fixed Sockets
 
I would not say this is a common problem but it is a regular problem where not enough care is taken when fitting crimp connectors. Any relay of a similar freewill do and a fuse fitted adjacent you may still obtain spares from Auto-Sleepers there stores people keep an excellent parts department.

Alf



outtolunch said:
some quick checks have been done with a clamp meter and there is no power being drained with fridge off or on and with engine running battery charging but went to check fuses for signs of bad connections and just the plastic cap came away so looks like fuse has been overheating and have been told this is a common problem.

does any body know if original relay/fuse blocks are available or are these a suitable replacement

Relay socket with 3 fuses

Fixed Sockets
Click to expand...
 
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