Hi,we are newbies Steve and Christine. We have a Hymer B654 Legend 25 and have only been motorhoming for just under two years. In that time we have toured France, Spain and Portugal twice for six months during the winter months. During the summer we also tour parts of the UK weather permitting!:thumb: We like to wild camp when possible in Europe and love every aspect of motorhoming and cannot wait to get away each time.
Anyway, we now have a small issue (we hope) with the van, we hope that someone can help as we have no knowledge at all of auto/habitation electrics, etc. Many thanks in advance.
I have just fitted a Shaudt LR1218 controller to the Shaudt EbL 101 in the Hymer to charge the vehicle battery from solar when wild camping. Everything seemed to work OK and the voltages and charging were correct on the DT201 panel for both the habitation and engine batteries whilst the vehicle has been parked up for the past few weeks since installation. I also sent photos of the wiring I had done to the supplier for confirmation of correct wiring, etc, which was correct.
However, we used the Motorhome for the first time this last weekend since fitting it three weeks ago and on our way home the battery warning light came up on the dashboard. Eventually I stopped and called the AA who decided that our Alternator was rather hot and smelly and was not charging. As it was nearing dark, they decided to take us home on a transporter. I have put it with a local reliable commercial garage and they rang me this morning to say that they were getting some confusing things happen. They seem to think that the alternator, though not actually fried, is very hot and they wonder if it is getting a feed from the Solar Panel as they were getting some odd readings. I rang the supplier of the LR1218 controller for advice and he said it could only happen if the batteries were in a poor condition - which they are not! I only replaced them last year with good quality Varta ones that were designed for habitation. I also tested them myself after fitting the controller to make sure that they were getting the same charge as the Shaudt panel indicated. Of course, it may be that the Alternater is just shot and it is just a coincidence but I don't want to risk burning out the new Alternator if something else needs to be addressed. the vehicle has only done 25k. I wouldn't have been concerned had the garage not rang to say about the odd readings from their tester. Could it be something like the split relay not cutting in/out properly? Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? Thanks
Steve
Anyway, we now have a small issue (we hope) with the van, we hope that someone can help as we have no knowledge at all of auto/habitation electrics, etc. Many thanks in advance.
I have just fitted a Shaudt LR1218 controller to the Shaudt EbL 101 in the Hymer to charge the vehicle battery from solar when wild camping. Everything seemed to work OK and the voltages and charging were correct on the DT201 panel for both the habitation and engine batteries whilst the vehicle has been parked up for the past few weeks since installation. I also sent photos of the wiring I had done to the supplier for confirmation of correct wiring, etc, which was correct.
However, we used the Motorhome for the first time this last weekend since fitting it three weeks ago and on our way home the battery warning light came up on the dashboard. Eventually I stopped and called the AA who decided that our Alternator was rather hot and smelly and was not charging. As it was nearing dark, they decided to take us home on a transporter. I have put it with a local reliable commercial garage and they rang me this morning to say that they were getting some confusing things happen. They seem to think that the alternator, though not actually fried, is very hot and they wonder if it is getting a feed from the Solar Panel as they were getting some odd readings. I rang the supplier of the LR1218 controller for advice and he said it could only happen if the batteries were in a poor condition - which they are not! I only replaced them last year with good quality Varta ones that were designed for habitation. I also tested them myself after fitting the controller to make sure that they were getting the same charge as the Shaudt panel indicated. Of course, it may be that the Alternater is just shot and it is just a coincidence but I don't want to risk burning out the new Alternator if something else needs to be addressed. the vehicle has only done 25k. I wouldn't have been concerned had the garage not rang to say about the odd readings from their tester. Could it be something like the split relay not cutting in/out properly? Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? Thanks
Steve