Habitation gauge query

[stephsol]

Hi all,
I never take interest in this gauge on the right as it's always in the middle (zero), however, I see it's in the red now but I don't know what it is???
Can you ID it??? .......Photo attached

 

[TheBig1]

looks like something is drawing a current

 

[dunnah01]

Looks like a slightly high current draw by something?

 

[WillH]

It's an ammeter, displays the current input or output of the battery.

 

[JockandRita]

It is indicating a discharge, ie, a current draw as previously mentioned.

Cheers,

Jock.

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[autorouter]

Strom = Current, measured in Amps (A). Laden = charging, Entladen = Discharging

 

[Figaro]

When you plug it into ehu it will swing over to the right and into the green.
Have you never noticed it before ?

 

[Lenny HB]

Strom = Current, measured in Amps (A). Laden = charging, Entladen = Discharging

Sorry have to correct.
Strom = Electricity

 

[autorouter]

Strom = current (as in Maelstrom). Elektrischer Strom = Electric current. Spannung = voltage.

Netzstrom = Mains Electricity. Often abbreviated to just Strom, so it may get translated as just electricity. As in 'der Strom ist kaput' when the hookup post trips.

 

[stephsol]

When you plug it into ehu it will swing over to the right and into the green.
Have you never noticed it before ?

*Thanks everyone for the feedback*
I've only plugged into electricity twice in 5yrs and vaguely recall it going into the green???. It's steady on 5 amps out as in the photo, so I must be losing current somewhere...I think it best to book it in to a auto elect to find the source, I did fit a new battery a few weeks ago and had thought it was discharging quickly but with this weather and restricted travel ???
Do you think 5amp warrants a trip to the auto electrician?

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[TheBig1]

5a is a big discharge current, look for something left turned on. An old light with incandescent bulb or fridge etc

 

[Phill D]

5 amps is a big discharge something is switched on

 

[Phill D]

TheBig1 beat me too it...

i would start by switching things on and then making sure they are properly switched off. auto electrician is going to do the same thing before checking anything else..

also check you battery status of hab and cab. maybe plug into ehu to charge batteries, then look again at discharge rate.

 

[Landy Andy]

Pull fuses out and see what needle does.

 

[JockandRita]

Do you think 5amp warrants a trip to the auto electrician?

Not yet, but I do think you need to do a good search about for the power drain.

I got caught out once by leaving the garage light on for days (5w festoon bulb), which I later changed for an LED bulb, (along wither every other single bulb inside our Hymer). Luckily enough for me, I found the culprit before it drained the batteries too much.

The needle should return to the middle, with the 12v power isolated, with the switch in the off (down) position. In the meantime, plug in and charge up.

Cheers,

Jock.

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[JockandRita]

I've only plugged into electricity twice in 5yrs and vaguely recall it going into the green???.

So how do you give the batteries a regular conditioning charge, if not using the onboard 3-4 stage charger?
Are you relying on an aftermarket Battery to Battery charger? Solar charging alone, won't keep the batteries in tip top condition.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Ingwe]

Shall I get my German electrician uncle to have a look?

 

[Ingwe]

There have been many threads about 'ghost' discharges. What I remember from one of them is to switch everything off, if it's still showing a 5a discharge, remove and replace fuses one by one until the discharge stops. Then you know which item is causing the discharge.

 

[stephsol]

Thanks Igwe, I'll try that before I book it in at the garage
Ps....I do only rely in solar and long runs to charge, not sure if there is an onboard charger??? It's a Hymer B584 2001 model...will one be fitted as standard???

 

[Ingwe]

Thanks Igwe, I'll try that before I book it in at the garage
Ps....I do only rely in solar and long runs to charge, not sure if there is an onboard charger??? It's a Hymer B584 2001 model...will one be fitted as standard???

I know precious little about Hymers but, I'd be very surprised that the model you have, even if 19 years old, doesn't have an onboard charger.
I'm sure many of the lucky Hymer owners will be along soon to answer that definitively.
I'm not bitter, honest!

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[TheBig1]

Thanks Igwe, I'll try that before I book it in at the garage
Ps....I do only rely in solar and long runs to charge, not sure if there is an onboard charger??? It's a Hymer B584 2001 model...will one be fitted as standard???

The battery companies just love customers like you, plenty of repeat business

Solar works well with bright sunlight, so this far north of the equator within days of the winter solstice and it's shortest day of the year, you will be getting nothing from it. You need a proper maintenance charge

 

[JockandRita]

Thanks Igwe, I'll try that before I book it in at the garage
Ps....I do only rely in solar and long runs to charge, not sure if there is an onboard charger??? It's a Hymer B584 2001 model...will one be fitted as standard???

Your Hymer will have a 3 x stage mains charger installed, either in the form of an Elektroblok EBL 99 or an EBL 105, (or similar). It looks like one of these.

If operating correctly, as soon as you plug in to the EHU, it should immediately start charging your leisure batteries, and then go on to charge your starter battery, all at the correct voltages to ensure correct charging.
Without these correct charging regimes, like TheBig1 John suggests, battery suppliers love folks like you, always having to renew your batteries sooner than required.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[stephsol]

After taking a short drive to dump grey water, I started by removing the first two fusses (yellow in the photo) and after the first two it was resolved, couldn't believe my luck!
After a run and shower it was back on 5amps and removing the same fusses didn't work, so removed all one by one, no result. After turning a few things on and off while watching the gauge I discovered that the electric steps were getting quite a reaction, increasing up to 10amps before settling at 5 again ???.....I can't find the fuse for the steps to test it though ,??? But I think there lies the problem will lubricate it tomorrow see if it helps.
Thanks for this info Jock, now I have a charger.

 

[stephsol]

After taking a short drive to dump grey water, I started by removing the first two fusses (yellow in the photo) and after the first two it was resolved, couldn't believe my luck!
After a run and shower it was back on 5amps and removing the same fusses didn't work, so removed all one by one, no result. After turning a few things on and off while watching the gauge I discovered that the electric steps were getting quite a reaction, increasing up to 10amps before settling at 5 again ???.....I can't find the fuse for the steps to test it though ,???

 

[pappajohn]

The step shouldn't consume ANY power when it's parked either in or out.
It will only use power when moving.
BUT..... I wonder if there's a step light which may not be turning off.

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[JockandRita]

Thanks for this info Jock, now I have a charger.

Always pleased to help.

Get to know your charger, as it's possibly the most important piece of kit for your habitation area.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[stephsol]

There is no light on the steps, only an alarm that sounds when the engine starts and it's still down. Is there a fire risk with this kind of fault?

 

[JockandRita]

There is no light on the steps, only an alarm that sounds when the engine starts and it's still down. Is there a fire risk with this kind of fault?

The inner step light is operated from a switch next to the step switch. It can be easily knocked on unfortunately.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[autorouter]

The fuse for the step is the 25A, 2nd from the left, labelled Grundlicht/Trittstufe. It protects the step (Tritt) and the step light (Licht).

The 'always on' circuits go through the 6-way connector (Block 4). This includes the step, step light, heater control board and frost protection valve. To remove the connector, squeeze to release the two latches and pull. To reconnect, it only fits one way so you can't go wrong. When the frost protection valve loses power, it dumps the water in the water heater.

 

[stephsol]

Thanks for that autorouter, I'm going to put English labels on it today. I did notice that there is only a 10amp fuse on the steps but it is operating ok?
*Update* So...yesterday the Strom gauge went to zero again and in the afternoon went to 0.25 into the green sector, so I'm assuming that was input from the solar panel? It's back to zero today and holding steady.
Thanks to everyone for your input and educating me yet again......and saving me a few £££
*Charging*.........I'm going to plug in to my daughter's house to boost the batteries as advised, how long should I give it for a full charge? And how many times a year, this is my first winter home in 5 years, so solar and travel time are "rare"

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