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Q&A - How do we get our caravan to work solely on 12v?

We have a 1994 Garland 148/SB and are new to caravanning.  We have a new battery and the 240 volt works fine but do you know how to get the van working just on 12 volt?

The Zig panel is set to battery but as soon as the 240 volt is turned off none of the electrics work, surely we should be able to run solely on 12 volts i.e. lights, water heater and pump?

Response

The 12v should work with both the 240v on and off, for the former you don't need a leisure battery connected as the 12v will come directly off your charger, provided you have it switched on.

For the latter the caravan battery needs to be connected and in a good state of charge. Make sure the selector switch on the zig panel is set for caravan.

Have you checked the charger output and more to the point, what is your battery terminal voltage?

Come back to me if you need further help.

  • Tuesday, 11 March 2014

Comments (2)

  • MARK CHAPPELL

    MARK CHAPPELL

    17 August 2017 at 14:58 |
    We have a 1994 Crystal 165/5 which does not seem to have a control pane anywhere, nor any kind of switch to allow 240v/12v switch over, we have power when attache dto car battery via grey towing lead, and when on hook up, but nothing when on leisure battery only... please help!

    reply

  • Allan & Jackie Jenkins

    Allan & Jackie Jenkins

    21 August 2017 at 11:29 |
    There will be a control panel situated within your caravan one will control the 240v mains while the other the 12v DC systems. While on mains power there'll be a battery charger to top up your on board battery.
    To get the 12v systems to operate while not on mains and not connected to your car you need to switch the car/caravan switch, normally located next the battery condition indicator in the caravan, to caravan.
    Normally the mains panel is located in the wardrobe or under the lounge seating, the same goes for the 12v circuit fuses and charger unit. It could be that the charger is located within the battery locker box

    reply

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