Leisure lights not working

[eti in europe]

Hi just woke up my hymer b544 after a long time because of Covid. Engine starts but no lights or steps moving. I had the fuse box switched off during hibernation. Any help really appreciated

 

[David and Sally]

 

[pappajohn]

Do you mean no hab lights or road lights?

After a long time stood without any kind of charge the leisure battery will probably be completely dead and the power surge from the alternator may have blown the split charge fuse.

 

[eti in europe]

Hi seems all things fed by the leisure battery steps and things

 

[suavecarve]

Have you had solar to recharge your hab battery ? If not a long run or hook it up for a bit and hope battery doesnt need replacing (assuming all trips are in order and mice havent chewed through your wires)

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pappajohn]

As post #3.
New battery.
If you have a volt/multi meter put it on the leisure battery with the engine running.
It should be at least 13.6v if it's being charged.

 

[Lenny HB]

If the battery is flat don't try and charge it with the van on EHU, a duff battery will often cause an Elektroblock to burn out.

If the battery is OK if you switched off EBL by the small slide switch on the front they are know for going faulty particularly on older vans it's recommended not to turn them off. If it is the switch try some contact cleaner and sliding it on and off a number of times.

 

[autorouter]

Hi just woke up my hymer b544 after a long time because of Covid. Engine starts but no lights or steps moving. I had the fuse box switched off during hibernation. Any help really appreciated

The switch on the control panel turns off most, but not all, of the habitation circuits. The step, frost protection valve and possibly the fridge control board are still powered, unless the battery is totally flat or the battery off switch on the Electroblock (EBL) is switched off. If the step doesn't work then you've lost all power.

If you didn't switch the EBL battery switch off, then don't touch it. They are well known for being unreliable and may take several attempts to turn back on. Do you have access to a mains hookup to charge it up?

 

[CamperJack]

I don't know much about proper motorhomes. But the first thing I would check in my self built van if all my electrics powered by my leisure battery weren't working would be my kill switch and my fuses, starting with the fuse between my battery and the 12v circuit board. Then I'd make sure the battery wasn't dead.

 

[eti in europe]

Morning guys
All fuses ok and both batteries charged with engine and mains. I did switch off the ebl and the step is not trying to move as well as the lights. Would that point to the switch?? I assume you can take the unit out and get to that switch. Another forum thought it could be the hab relay has anyone any info on that? Cheers we are an hour ahead here so hope I haven’t woke you up

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[autorouter]

Another forum thought it could be the hab relay has anyone any info on that?

A hab relay is a relay that cuts off all the habitation circuits when the engine is running. If it fails, then, sure, it could cause such problems. Except that Hymers don't have a hab relay. It's a Brit thing.

Which model of EBL is it? Do you have a multimeter?

 

[eti in europe]

Hi seems all things fed by the leisure battery steps and things

Hi it seems the on off switch is not switching it’s mounted on a pcb in the ebl. The next problem is I was hoping to get it serviced next week and would need to drive it to the local garage to do that. Do you know if it will run safely with unit disconnected with the power wires all taped up. I was going back to England at the end of next week so could take unit with me and try and get it repaired

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes OK to drive only affects the hab electrics. Earlier I said spray it with switch cleaner but WD40 will do.

 

[Lenny HB]

If the step doesn't work then you've lost all power.

All 3 Hymers we have had the EBL and control panel both need to be turned on for the step to work.

 

[eti in europe]

Tried to get a bit of wd on and kept switching. Just managed to get the meter on the pcb just managed not to throw it against the wall lol. The next problem is the step is down but think I can get it off and tape up the switch. Having a great day I hope this promotes me from newbie Don’t know if anyone knows of repairers in England?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GeoffnDee]

apuljackengineering.co.uk list your type of unit as one they repair and are very good to deal with.

 

[Lenny HB]

A&N Caravans also repair Elektroblocks.

You have used your 5 free posts so you will need to pay your subs to continue posting.

 

[SIFTA SAM]

Tried to get a bit of wd on and kept switching. Just managed to get the meter on the pcb just managed not to throw it against the wall lol. The next problem is the step is down but think I can get it off and tape up the switch. Having a great day I hope this promotes me from newbie Don’t know if anyone knows of repairers in England?

If the spilt pin is removed from the underside of the step it allows the step to be hand pushed to the retracted position allowing it's retention.

 

[autorouter]

Do you know if it will run safely with unit disconnected with the power wires all taped up.

The two power wires to the base of the EBL (Starter positive and leisure positive) are protected by big fuses, probably 50A, near the battery. You could pull these fuses as an extra safety measure. Be careful with the colour codes. Hymers have brown = negative, black = positive, although the starter positive is red, I think.

 

[gwyntaxi]

Tried to get a bit of wd on and kept switching. Just managed to get the meter on the pcb just managed not to throw it against the wall lol. The next problem is the step is down but think I can get it off and tape up the switch. Having a great day I hope this promotes me from newbie Don’t know if anyone knows of repairers in England?

Hi there eti in Europe, there are a couple of companies in uk that repair the electroblok, the one that springs to mind most is A&S or A&E caravan services they are based in North Wales and are specialists when it comes to overhauling Electroblok control boxes, if you send it to them the give you a price last I heard it was approximately £140.inc return postage, and they turn it around quite quickly or they used to do an exchange for a similar price. Give them a ring and speak to Andrew.