Issues with power control panel following Apuljack repair

[Bustup15]

Dethleff have the main control panel above the hab door.

Some months ago the 12v led stopped working although all other functions continued to operate correctly. Seems it is a very common fault. No great issue as I used to try any of the interior lights to confirm if the 12v was on or off.

Over time the on/off function of the 12v button became very intermittent. Sometimes taking numerous presses to isolate the 12v. I took to leaving the 12v on even when in storage to ensure it was able to be used whenever I required.

Decided over the winter to return it to Apuljack for repair/quotation. They duly repaired and returned it to me in January 2023 at a cost of £285.

On fitting everything appeared to work although the 12v led is much dimmer than it was originally. The button powers on and off correctly and all other functions work. I then realised that the control panel no longer isolates the lighting and power sockets.

I emailed Apuljack who confirm the unit was fully bench tested and the LED will only light by switching the supply from the EBL.

On further investigation they then commented that there are 2 large relays in the EBL111 and it is pissie that one of them is 'stuck'. Cost to investigate £229 plus vat and shipping .

Anyone else had this issue or can advise on the relays in the EBL?

 

[GeoffnDee]

Hopefully autorouter will see your question and may be able to advise you about this problem with the EBL111

 

[Gerry77]

This is above my pay grade but I would have a chat with Martin at Aandncaravans.co.uk. ( based in North Wales. They are an excellent company who have repaired ebls for many years and I would recommend them.

 

[autorouter]

There are several relays in the EBL111, but the ones in question I think are two heavy-duty latching relays that control power to the habitation circuits. A latching relay is one that has two stable states (on and off), and can stay in either of those two states if the power is removed. It has two control inputs, to flip it into the on or the off state. This is different from a standard relay, that has one stable and one powered state, and a spring pulls the relay back to its stable state if the power is removed. If the failure is one of those latching relays then it's straightforward for someone like Apuljack to replace, they are a standard part, I think.

The on and off control signals for these relays comes from a special control module at the heart of the EBL, which responds to inputs from the display panel, and also the main on/off switch on the EBL front panel. I think that control module is specific to the Schaudt EBL, ie is not a general component like a logic circuit or microprocessor that is available on the open market. If that has failed, which sounds like a possibility, then I think returning it to Schaudt for repair may be the only option, if Apuljack don't want to do it.

Having said that, my only experience of the Schaudt repair service is very positive. I had my EBL101 returned within a few days when posted to their place in Germany. But that was then, and this is now, thanks Boris.

On their website it says Apuljack will supply a new or exchange unit, as well as a repair service.

 

[Hoovie]

I don't know the innards of the EBLs very well, but I would say the typical latching relay is usually pretty audible in use, so the switches on the control panel are meant to flip these type of relays, could be worth having an ear at the EBL while someone presses the buttons and seeing it there are any noises?
certainly not a foolproof method but it might tell you if the relays ARE switching?


From reading the OPs post, it sounds to me regardless of what was fixed, something USED to work before the repair and does not any more? that doesn't seem right?

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[Bustup15]

There are several relays in the EBL111, but the ones in question I think are two heavy-duty latching relays that control power to the habitation circuits. A latching relay is one that has two stable states (on and off), and can stay in either of those two states if the power is removed. It has two control inputs, to flip it into the on or the off state. This is different from a standard relay, that has one stable and one powered state, and a spring pulls the relay back to its stable state if the power is removed. If the failure is one of those latching relays then it's straightforward for someone like Apuljack to replace, they are a standard part, I think.

The on and off control signals for these relays comes from a special control module at the heart of the EBL, which responds to inputs from the display panel, and also the main on/off switch on the EBL front panel. I think that control module is specific to the Schaudt EBL, ie is not a general component like a logic circuit or microprocessor that is available on the open market. If that has failed, which sounds like a possibility, then I think returning it to Schaudt for repair may be the only option, if Apuljack don't want to do it.

Having said that, my only experience of the Schaudt repair service is very positive. I had my EBL101 returned within a few days when posted to their place in Germany. But that was then, and this is now, thanks Boris.

On their website it says Apuljack will supply a new or exchange unit, as well as a repair service.

I should also mention that the battery switch on the front of the EBL does not isolate the lighting circuits either. I assume the issue is therefore internal to the EBL?

 

[autorouter]

I should also mention that the battery switch on the front of the EBL does not isolate the lighting circuits either. I assume the issue is therefore internal to the EBL?

That battery switch on the front of the EBL has a bit of a reputation for being unreliable - I try to avoid ever switching it off, it often takes a few goes to turn it back on again. But if it's not switching the lighting circuits off, then either the relay has failed or the signal to switch it has failed.

 

[AgeingAndrew]

I'd be tempted to look at the fundamentals.
Does the system exhibit the same behaviour when on and off EHU?.
Is the LB fully charged?
Are you confident that the problem is not the panel, and that the panel has been reconnected fully?. Does the panel show the battery voltages and tank levels correctly?

 

[Margaritaman]

This is above my pay grade but I would have a chat with Martin at Aandncaravans.co.uk. ( based in North Wales. They are an excellent company who have repaired ebls for many years and I would recommend them.

Another vote for Martin at AnadNcaravans…. He prefers contact by email as he’s always busy repairing equipment etc.
mail@martinbushnell.co.uk
Have used him a couple of times for EBL Schaudt repairs. Very good and very reasonably priced. Sent my EBL to him and was quickly returned and repaired

 

[ETH]

Dethleff have the main control panel above the hab door.

Some months ago the 12v led stopped working although all other functions continued to operate correctly. Seems it is a very common fault. No great issue as I used to try any of the interior lights to confirm if the 12v was on or off.

Over time the on/off function of the 12v button became very intermittent. Sometimes taking numerous presses to isolate the 12v. I took to leaving the 12v on even when in storage to ensure it was able to be used whenever I required.

Decided over the winter to return it to Apuljack for repair/quotation. They duly repaired and returned it to me in January 2023 at a cost of £285.

On fitting everything appeared to work although the 12v led is much dimmer than it was originally. The button powers on and off correctly and all other functions work. I then realised that the control panel no longer isolates the lighting and power sockets.

I emailed Apuljack who confirm the unit was fully bench tested and the LED will only light by switching the supply from the EBL.

On further investigation they then commented that there are 2 large relays in the EBL111 and it is pissie that one of them is 'stuck'. Cost to investigate £229 plus vat and shipping .

Anyone else had this issue or can advise on the relays in the EBL?

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[bigtwin]

See my Post

Which post?

Ian

 

[Burgo]

If it helps at all...
I think our Elektroblok in a Dethleffs Globebus GT7 is an ebl102 with the mp20 control panel over the door. When the van was new we realised after a month or do that even when we switched the 12v off, the taps and lights still worked. It needed a replacement Elektroblok under warranty, due to a duff relay. It now works fine - only the electric step works when 12v is off. When you turn 12v off or on there is a pronounced and audible click as the relay triggers. You can easily hear it from the door even though the Elektroblok is under the diagonally opposite drivers seat.