Mains unit getting hot (1 Viewer)

cbrown1360

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The mains unit located under one of the bench seats on my Elddis Accordo 105 is getting hot and giving off one of those "electrical" smells. I am on EHU with only the fridge drawing power. I believe the mains unit has a cooling fan but this hasn't tripped in yet either because it doesn't work or because the mains unit is not hot enough to trip it. I've had the van from new for over 2 years and have only noticed this in the last couple of weeks. Is this normal or anything to worry about?
 
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Not sure if this is relevant or not but my master unit was doing the same and it turned out to be a knackered battery and the master unit was overheating trying to charge it.

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Techno

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Not sure if this is relevant or not but my master unit was doing the same and it turned out to be a knackered battery and the master unit was overheating trying to charge it.
My thoughts exactly and if CBE equipment is fitted it will be a 516 charger (grey box with a red illuminated on/off button)
 

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The transformer in our boat mains unit charger did the same, then started smoking. Keep your eye on it, sounds terminal.........:(
 
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cbrown1360

cbrown1360

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Picture of unit attached.

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Techno

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I really don't recognise that unit but I doubt it has a fan. I can see clearly that the left hand breaker feeds the fridge & the charger but where is the charger?
 

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Personally I would check the tightness of all connections but in your position I would put the fridge on gas and turn off the charger/fridge switch and see if the smell goes within the hour. Also note the battery voltage with the charger off
 
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cbrown1360

cbrown1360

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Another picture from above.
 

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cbrown1360

cbrown1360

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As suggested, I've put the fridge on gas and turned off the fridge / charger breaker. The battery is showing a charge of approx. 12.3V. I'll report back later on whether it's still hot or smelling. Thanks for your help.
 
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cbrown1360

cbrown1360

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Don't know if it's relevant but if I turn the fridge / charger breaker back on there is something in the mains unit that sounds like a fan that starts running but it stops after about 20 seconds.
 
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cbrown1360

cbrown1360

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Nothing turned on - from memory the battery charge has never been more than 12.5V.

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Tootles

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Don't know if it's relevant but if I turn the fridge / charger breaker back on there is something in the mains unit that sounds like a fan that starts running but it stops after about 20 seconds.
That could very well be the transformer plates vibrating, as ours were. As Brian says, don't leave it switched on when your not around. If it stinks, it's bu**ered.
 

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Don't know if it's relevant but if I turn the fridge / charger breaker back on there is something in the mains unit that sounds like a fan that starts running but it stops after about 20 seconds.
That can only be the charger. carry on for now and as Brian said feel the battery sides for heat . Keep an eye on the battery voltage
 
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cbrown1360

cbrown1360

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Just to be clear battery charge is 12.3V with charger isolated and 13.1V with charger on.

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Techno

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The battery at 12.3 is at about 65% and in such a condition the charger should be giving far more than 13.1
 

funflair

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But if the battery is 12.3 after being on charge it is knackered anyway, if it reads 13.1 with the charger on the battery should have something in it, if the battery was getting hot I would say that the terminal voltage was low as it was all going into heat.

Martin
 

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12.3 is the residual reading having just turned the charger off. If it is knakered it won't be too long before it drops sub 12 volts

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cbrown1360

cbrown1360

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Am I right in thinking that when mobile i.e. engine running, the leisure battery will be charged from the alternator?
 

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Am I right in thinking that when mobile i.e. engine running, the leisure battery will be charged from the alternator?
Yes unless a fuse has blown on the split charge.
If it is charging with the engine running you would see over 14 volts on the battery
 
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cbrown1360

cbrown1360

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Interestingly when I start the engine the voltmeter shows 0V

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