No 12 volt supply or fridge supply can any one advise?

[Adtan]

Hi we’re driving through Spain on the way to Portugal
Earlier today the 12 volt electrics started going haywire
The experience control panel in our Pilote 720 fc kept re booting as did the id media radio the panel is now off we’re on hookup and have power to the sockets but none to fridge or the inet panel although that is flashing on and off the inverter charger is working but I’ve just disabled the b2b as some strange readings showing any assistance would be appreciated

 

[Adtan]

Hi all it’s starting to get dark anyone got any ideas ?

 

[pappajohn]

Do you have twin starter batteries?
Showing starter battery voltage at 21.59v

 

[pappajohn]

Try disconnecting starter battery for a few minutes while checking hab system

 

[Adtan]

Hi no just the 1 starter battery do I disconnect the positive I think it’s under the floor or do I disconnect the eviction b2b

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

 

[Adtan]

Hi all Sod’s Law the only torch I have with me is about to die it’s dark here so will have to investigate more in the morning if any one has any other ideas I’ll pick them up in the morning

 

[Jev88]

Most fridges are only 12v with engine running.
What is your leisure battery voltage measured directly?
If ok then must be main fuse near battery?

 

[pappajohn]

Hi no just the 1 starter battery do I disconnect the positive I think it’s under the floor or do I disconnect the eviction b2b

B2B should disconnect the engine battery from hab electric.
With a single battery it should show around 12.6v not 21.59v

 

[Adtan]

Hi both I had disconnected the Vanbitz battery master earlier just checked on victron app it showed the engine battery at just under 4 volts forgot to record the reading on a screen shot reconnected battery master now showing over 12 volts
To dark to do anything else not sure what’s going on but all 12 volt systems dead despite leisure batteries showing over 90%

 

[Vansflyer]

Do you have a torch function on your phone you could use if needed?

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

 

[Vansflyer]

Leisure battery looks good so hab stuff should work just fine. Is the engine battery at 21v with engine off or on and
on EHU or not?

 

[Lenny HB]

Starter battery has settled now, I the alternator regulator pack may have blown, if it overloaded the B2B and passed a too higher voltage through to the distribution unit it could have blown the electronics.

If it's a CBE unit it should have an emergency fuse position you put a fuse in and it bypasses the electronics and gives you basic lights and water pump.

 

[Adtan]

Starter battery has settled now, I the alternator regulator pack may have blown, if it overloaded the B2B and passed a too higher voltage through to the distribution unit it could have blown the electronics.

If it's a CBE unit it should have an emergency fuse position you put a fuse in and it bypasses the electronics and gives you basic lights and water pump.

Hi Lenny I think it is a CBE unit I’ll check the emergency positions in the morning if they don’t work I assume there is a big problem with the hab stuff if the motorhome starts ok is it safe to drive we were thinking of doing the final 4 hours to sagres on the morning we have a villa booked from Saturday so would just air bnb the next 4 days that gives me just over 2 weeks to find an autelctrian to sort before I drive back to Santander for our ferry I assume I’ll need the RAC to come out to check the alternator at the moment I have everything switched off and have disabled the charge function on the victron b2b is there anything else I need to look at in the morning
Thanks for all the replies Sod’s Law 33degrees here and can use the aircon also forgot my extra battery packs and torches when we packed to come over

 

[Lenny HB]

If you have a multimeter check the voltage on the starter battery with the engine running. If its higher than 15v it's an alternator problem. I would not drive it if its over 16v even too long over 15v the battery could gas off hydrogen sulpbide.

If it is the alternator it will have knackered the starter battery.

Most biggish supermarkets will have a multimeter for a few Euro.

 

[Adtan]

Leisure battery looks good so hab stuff should work just fine. Is the engine battery at 21v with engine off or on and
on EHU or not?

It was with engine off had ehu in but all unplugged now really frustrating

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

 

[Adtan]

If you have a multimeter check the voltage on the starter battery with the engine running. If its higher than 15v it's an alternator problem. I would not drive it if its over 16v even too long over 15v the battery could gas off hydrogen sulpbide.

If it is the alternator it will have knackered the starter battery.

Most biggish supermarkets will have a multimeter for a few Euro.

Hi lenny I have one with me assume the smartshunt isn’t as accurate will get the panel off in the cab floor in the morning to check it will also check the cbe unit appreciate the advice while your away as well frustrating the vans only just over 4 years old only done just over 10000 miles in it

 

[Lenny HB]

Smart shunt should be accurate.

 

[Vansflyer]

I agree that shunt should be accurate, which may not be good news but will be true. Best let it settle with no power supply from ehu or engine and see where it is at in daylight.

 

[Adtan]

I agree that shunt should be accurate, which may not be good news but will be true. Best let it settle with no power supply from ehu or engine and see where it is at in daylight.

Hi Vansflyer and lenny hb just checked the smartshunt with the engine running battery holding at 12.7 not going to mess with anything this morning planning to push on to sagres just booking Airbnb so will have more time to look at the hab stuff at least at the moment the inverter is working so can use the mains sockets to power phones and the coffee machine to have some caffeine will keep you posted once we get to sagres
Cheers Adam

 

[Vansflyer]

At 12.7v with engine running that may indicate it is now not charging, so could be fuse or regulator blown on alternator. So cab battery could go flat whilst driving, be careful and good luck.

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

 

[Adtan]

At 12.7v with engine running that may indicate it is now not charging, so could be fuse or regulator blown on alternator. So cab battery could go flat whilst driving, be careful and good luck.

Hi just a arrived at the air bnb in sagres the van ran ok the starter battery is still at 12.7 v and the hab batteries are still over 85%
I just spoke to Vanbitz as they fitted all the victron and lithium set up there view is that the Pilote control unit and panel are shot and no way to bypass this without replacing the control units they think everything should be ok if I just leave it and sort out when I’m back in the uk I did ask about the alternator and the starter battery but they think that the Pilote control panel is the issue as all 12 volt dead but sockets fed by the inverter 230v all work ok and the leisure battery will charge on mains. Not sure if I want the hassle of finding a Pilote dealer or motorhome electrician over here unless anyone can recommend anyone near to sagres ? Any other suggestions would be welcome at least I have accommodation sorted for the next 2 weeks so have some time to think about what to do next

 

[Vansflyer]

Glad you made it to the air bnb OK. Not sure what the Pilote control will do ref charging the engine battery unless it has a B2B in it but if VB say so I defer to them.
Generally 12.something is when battery is at rest and 13+ v is the battery is charging... very broad explanation there btw. If it drives and you have a good enough level of being able to use stuff then that is a win and it could be a lot worse. Enjoy your next 2 weeks,

 

[Adtan]

Hi Lenny HB and Vansflyer just a quick update from me spent some time in the van this morning tested all the fuses all ok re connected the 12v supply found the following the Pilote experience tablet re started lights ok when I put the pump on worked intermittently then made the experience tablet re boot same with the fridge and the electric step made the tablet re boot and the fridge lights all flashed at the same time and it made the Truma panel reboot as well
Removed fridge fuse and then put the override fuses for the pump and the lights in the scheiber control unit success at last the lights work and the pump works without sending anything else crazy the solar panel part of the scheiber unit must be working as leisure batteries back to 100% this morning
I have found a motorhome service centre around an hour away but think temp fix is working I might just get it back to uk as in my limited knowledge something isn’t right with the control panel appreciate both of you for helping out any other suggestions would be gratefuly received
Getting home from here is only 2 nights to Santander so that is the only time I’ll be in the motorhome as the next 2 weeks we have a villa booked with the kids husband and grandson
Cheers Adam

 

[Lenny HB]

I think you will need a new CBE distribution unit.

 

[Adtan]

I think you will need a new CBE distribution unit.

Hi lenny I think you are right Vanbitz thought the same said they have seen lots of issues with the panel and and control tablet Pilote use hope it holds out till I’m back in the uk