Sargent EC500 Problem - Again

[Gonestravaiging]

I seem to have lots of problems with my Sargent EC500 and control panel on my 18-month-old PVC. Recently kept getting reboot messages on the control panel, and switching the main unit on and off worked on several occasions.
However, the whole system is now off and when I preset the reset button on the EC500 I just get two bleeps from the control panel and it won't switch back on. So no electrics. I've checked all the fuses and they're fine and nothing had tripped.
I took off the front of the control panel to try to disconnect and reconnect it - as I've seen people suggest that as a fix - but I wasn't able to remove the connector at the back of the panel and was concerned about breaking it. Any advice on how to remove it would be much appreciated...and any other suggestions re loss of electrics!
Many thanks!

 

[tonka]

Have you tried calling and talking to Sargent direct ?? Usually very helpful..

 

[GeoffnDee]

Have you tried turning the black system shut down button (on the EC500 PSU) off for 30 seconds and then back on to see if this reboots the control panel. If you do not already have it , there is information that may help, regarding EC500 systems, in the Resources section shown on the top line of this page.

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Thank you - I guess that's the obvious next move! Haven't tried to talk to them before.

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Have you tried turning the black system shut down button (on the EC500 PSU) off for 30 seconds and then back on to see if this reboots the control panel. If you do not already have it , there is information that may help, regarding EC500 systems, in the Resources section shown on the top line of this page.

Yes I've tried that, but it's not possible to switch it off and on. System just permanently tripped. I'll have a look at the Resources section, thanks.

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[raysalaugh]

Have you checked both vehicle and hab batteries.?

 

[GeoffnDee]

When you checked the fuses did that include the main leisure battery one near the battery and are you able to check that the leisure battery is not low in power.

 

[Robert Clark]

Thank you - I guess that's the obvious next move! Haven't tried to talk to them before.

We had problems with our Sargent unit on our first van.
Dropped them an email and within a few days a replacement unit arrived plus a label to return the faulty unit.
Swapping the units was very straightforward in our case

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Have you checked both vehicle and hab batteries.?

Hi, yes thanks. Both have a good charge!

 

[Gonestravaiging]

We had problems with our Sargent unit on our first van.
Dropped them an email and within a few days a replacement unit arrived plus a label to return the faulty unit.
Swapping the units was very straightforward in our case

Now that would be a good outcome!

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[Gonestravaiging]

When you checked the fuses did that include the main leisure battery one near the battery and are you able to check that the leisure battery is not low in power.

Yes, checked that one too, thanks, and charge level is good.

 

[Gellyneck]

Yes I've tried that, but it's not possible to switch it off and on. System just permanently tripped. I'll have a look at the Resources section, thanks.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding so apologies if I am.

This is our EC500 distribution panel and think yours will be the same. You'll see top left is the System Shutdown button.

I would suggest you

• make sure the "Charger", "Space Heater" and "Water Heater" buttons are off
• make sure the "12v Power" button is off
• place the system in shutdown
• turn off all the breakers and rcd on the "Mains 230v Protection" side
• disconnect the ehu cable
• leave for a few minutes
• with everything still in the same position reconnect the ehu cable
• take system out of shutdown
• turn on the rcd
• (assuming it does turn on) turn on only the first mcb
• (assuming rcd remains on) turn on the second mcb
• (assuming rcd remains on) turn on third mcb
• (assuming rcd remains on) turn on "Battery" charger
• (assuming rcd remains on) turn on "Space Heater"
• (assuming rcd remains on) turn on "Water Heater"
• (assuming rcd remains on) turn on "12v system
• if the unit does trip it will give you an indication of what circuit \ device is tripping the system

Once you narrowed down the issue you can then focus on where to have further investigation.

However, if your PVC is only 18 months old will it not still be under warranty? If so, I would be approaching the supplier with a warranty claim.

Best of luck.

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding so apologies if I am.

This is our EC500 distribution panel and think yours will be the same. You'll see top left is the System Shutdown button.
View attachment 601861

I would suggest you

• make sure the "Charger", "Space Heater" and "Water Heater" buttons are off
• make sure the "12v Power" button is off
• place the system in shutdown
• turn off all the breakers and rcd on the "Mains 230v Protection" side
• disconnect the ehu cable
• leave for a few minutes
• with everything still in the same position reconnect the ehu cable
• take system out of shutdown
• turn on the rcd
• (assuming it does turn on) turn on only the first mcb
• (assuming rcd remains on) turn on the second mcb
• (assuming rcd remains on) turn on third mcb
• (assuming rcd remains on) turn on "Battery" charger
• (assuming rcd remains on) turn on "Space Heater"
• (assuming rcd remains on) turn on "Water Heater"
• (assuming rcd remains on) turn on "12v system
• if the unit does trip it will give you an indication of what circuit \ device is tripping the system

Once you narrowed down the issue you can then focus on where to have further investigation.

However, if your PVC is only 18 months old will it not still be under warranty? If so, I would be approaching the supplier with a warranty claim.

Best of luck.

Thanks for that very detailed description, much appreciated! I'll certainly try that process and see what happens.
Yep, I should be able to contact the supplier...but I had a huge fall out with them because of the appalling way they treated us over issues with the engine electrics which arose days after we bought the vehicle, and went on for months. Long story.

 

[GeoffnDee]

Hopefully Sargent Electrical will be able to help, if needed ,but if for any reason they cannot , www.apuljackelectronics.co.uk also repair their units and can carry out testing.

 

[Gellyneck]

Auslan
If you've got issues with the dealer wonder if Sargent will entertain a direct warranty claim (if required)?

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[Gonestravaiging]

Hopefully Sargent Electrical will be able to help, if needed ,but if for any reason they cannot , www.apuljackelectronics.co.uk also repair their units and can carry out testing.

Hope so, thanks for the thought.

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Auslan
If you've got issues with the dealer wonder if Sargent will entertain a direct warranty claim (if required)?

Worth raising it, thanks for that. Hopefully Sargent will help - heading to Spain soon!

 

[Gellyneck]

Worth raising it, thanks for that. Hopefully Sargent will help - heading to Spain soon!

Hopefully you get it fixed in time and enjoy your trip.