Electric issues

The Club’s technical team answers your pressing questions. This month we look at electric issues

Q I have an older caravan and the electrics often cause problems when we’re away. How can I make them more reliable?

A First, if you are at all unsure about electrical problems, seek professional help – it is not worth continuing to use or trying to fix something without adequate knowledge.

Prevention is best

A new leisure vehicle’s electrics should be certified as functional and safe, just like (and to the same regulations as) in your house. Annual servicing checks basic function and safety, but not hidden wear, perhaps from components ageing or being shaken around on the road. It’s recommended that periodically (notionally every three years) you have a more stringent ‘Electrical Installation Condition Report’ done by a competent electrician or trained service agent, like those who are members of the Approved Workshop Scheme (approvedworkshops.co.uk). This check is quite expensive – perhaps from £150 to over £300. Check if your insurance policy contains conditions requiring you to inspect and maintain systems.

It’s still prudent to monitor key parts yourself. Visually check the mains hook-up lead, mains input socket and sockets within the vehicle. Are switches stiff or do lights flicker? Look for scorching or signs of fittings/cables getting hot. Get issues fixed before travelling.

Be prepared

Some minor faults can be safely addressed. Handbooks should indicate fuse/circuit breaker locations, but familiarise yourself with them, as you may need to look for them in the dark. Installation and use booklets for appliances (eg fridges) are useful. If you don’t have those, check manufacturers’ websites for downloads.

Tool kit

It’s good to carry a basic toolkit that includes:

• Screwdrivers, pliers, wire strippers, insulation tape, wet and dry paper to clean connectors, head torch, plug-in mains socket tester.
• Mains/12V fuses, light bulbs, spare 12V plugs, UK mains plug.
• Spare submersible water pump (if your outfit uses one). Worthwhile for older outfits with basic pumps. More complex ones may be too costly.

Wiring and connectors

Faults within appliances like fridges or units like battery chargers are unlikely to be DIY-fixable. With wiring, connectors and such like, there’s more chance of a simple remedy. Always unplug from mains connection and disconnect 12V battery before dismantling anything. Take care to prevent shorting when connecting or disconnecting the battery (in particular, lithium batteries could present a fire/thermal runaway risk if shorted, damaged or dropped).

Mains Issues

• If nothing’s working, check for power at a socket, and check the RCD hasn’t tripped, the mains cable’s plugged in and that site power isn’t out.
• Mains hook-up cables are vulnerable to damage. Unplug before checking! Check for cuts/splits, pin or tube damage in plugs or signs of overheating. If a wire’s loose with no other damage, reconnect it. If the cable’s locally damaged, shorten it and use the ‘good’ part as an emergency fix (replace with full-length cable later). If removing plugs, photograph correct wiring first. Replace plugs if damaged.
• If only some things work, check fuses/circuit breakers, or any connectors in the wiring loom which can come loose. If fuses blow or breakers trip repeatedly, there’s a fundamental fault – have that investigated.
• Some appliances use 12V for control circuits, so check 12V fuses too.
• Appliances may indicate fault codes via numerical displays or a series of beeps. Your handbook or helpful websites may interpret these. You probably can’t fix issues, but the codes may indicate required spare parts, meaning a faster professional fix.

12V issues

• 12V’s safer than mains, but don’t assume there’s no risk, particularly around batteries and battery chargers. As a general rule, treat anything with noticeably thicker wires with caution.
• Unlike standardised colours for mains circuits, 12V wiring can feature any colour. If removing anything, take a photo to help ensure everything goes back correctly.
• Push-fit connectors are commonplace… and commonly displaced. Unplugging and reconnecting sometimes fixes faults by reseating a connection or cleaning dirty contacts.
• Thin 12V wiring is vulnerable to wear due to road vibrations. Wires can break where they should be attached, or fray where passing through panels.

Please address your questions to: Technical Information,
Email: technical@camc.com,
Tel: 01342 336611

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