Sargent internals

[G-RMPS]

My son has just bought a self-build van with a Sargent EC155 controller. There are two 230V sockets in the van, driven from the EHU and through the Sargent controller. Apparently the sockets worked until a brand new 8-way adapter was plugged in, and now both 230V sockets are dead. The RCD and circuit breakers appear to be OK. The battery charging circuit appears to be working also. Could there be a mains fuse or something inside the Sargent? I cannot think of any other source of failure if, indeed, these facts are correct.

Just to make life more interesting it’s Sunday before a Bank Holiday on the NC500 and he doesn’t have a multimeter! And of course no means of charging phones, ipads, laptops etc

 

[tonka]

Give Sargent a call, they are often very helpful.

 

[G-RMPS]

Give Sargent a call, they are often very helpful.

Thanks. I read the user manual and the installation guide, and I’m still none the wiser.

 

[TheCaller]

And of course no means of charging phones, ipads, laptops etc

Personally, I sympathise, but some would say that was a perfect recipe for a relaxing weekend enjoying some of the most stunning scenery in the UK!

 

[autorouter]

If you are 100% sure other mains devices are working, and the MCBs are switched on and stay on, then I'd start looking for a bad connection somewhere. Could be just coincidence that the fault showed up just as you plugged in the 8-way adaptor. Of course make sure you unplug the hookup before you start taking sockets apart.

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

 

[mitzimad]

multi meter and start with the hook up lead.power on home socket can be confirmed by plugging in a known good appliance. then work along the line

 

[pappajohn]

This post is not helpful in the least but most truthful of any that will be posted.

If it was an older van the hookup would go directly to the mains fuse box and be 100% isolated from all other safety or control boxes.
A breaker would trip.
You turn the breaker back on.
It works or the breaker again trips with a fault.

Simplicity itself.

Why do modern vans need the over complicated control circuits and panels..... Houses don't have them, cars don't have them for 12v. They both have basic fuseboxes.
So why is it thought that motorhomes MUST have them.

 

[ctc]

Reset the RCD and the MCB again, these are unreliable, is there an inverter fitted? If so it should have an RCD and a MCB. If not change the end of the EHU and feed it through a window.

 

[G-RMPS]

If not change the end of the EHU and feed it through a window.

I suggested that too. But that loses the battery charging circuit. Given a different place and time he could buy multimeters, additional cables etc.

 

[G-RMPS]

Thanks, guys. Turned out to be a loose connector from the Sargent to the 230V sockets, apparently. Peace restored at home and on the NC500!

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

 

[dave newell]

This post is not helpful in the least but most truthful of any that will be posted.

If it was an older van the hookup would go directly to the mains fuse box and be 100% isolated from all other safety or control boxes.
A breaker would trip.
You turn the breaker back on.
It works or the breaker again trips with a fault.

Simplicity itself.

Why do modern vans need the over complicated control circuits and panels..... Houses don't have them, cars don't have them for 12v. They both have basic fuseboxes.
So why is it thought that motorhomes MUST have them.

sadly John you are way off beam here. The Sargent units incorporate the mains rcd unit and mcbs in the main distribution box but that's it. There are no other controls (except a couple of switches) involved in the mains side of things. It is exactly as simple as a household rcd/mcb unit.

D.

 

[PeteH]

Glad to hear it got solved. I got caught out some years ago now, it turned out that the connection in the Input end of the (new) EHU lead was lose and had displaced!. Nothing wrong with the `van.