Hi. This is my first time posting. We have just bought a brand new MDC Voyager RF V5 (Melbourne) and getting ready to go away. Plugged into mains power and put the fridge on. Found after a couple of days the fridge was off as the battery ran down. Unplugged fridge overnight and left battery charging, turned on the this morning to find 5 minutes later still no power in battery. All the appropriate switches are on (pic attached). Clearly the battery is not charging. Is there a trick to this? Would appreciate some assistance as we are going away Tuesday and completely new at this!!
OK, let's go to basic, have you checked the circuit breakers? Thsee will be in a cupboard or box near the mains inlet. If these are on (switched up) then check the cable and power point you have it pluged into. Being a new camper I would guess these are off, has the inlet receptical got a very large earth pin?
BTW from what I can understand, the fridge will only keep cool on 12 volts.
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 5th of April 2015 10:32:31 AM
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 5th of April 2015 10:35:11 AM
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 5th of April 2015 10:39:18 AM
madaboutled said
10:35 AM Apr 5, 2015
I'm clutch at straws here, but do you know where the charger is located? And if it is switched on from there? Also check it the connections are tight and if the fuse is ok.
Also the pic doesn't really show the labels that clear and I don't think your reflection was smiling, be happy I'm sure others will jump on this with some suggestions too.
madaboutled said
10:39 AM Apr 5, 2015
Morning Phil, have to say you type faster than me, but that's not hard!
Regards Steve.
mellykelly said
10:47 AM Apr 5, 2015
Thanks Phil. No we haven't checked the circuit breakers - will do that. Didn't even know there were switches there. Yes we bought a large earth pin plug and attached it. I sorta figured if the appropriate lights were on things were happening which clearly is not the case :(
Phil C said
10:48 AM Apr 5, 2015
Cheers Steve, been doing it since I was 16, looked like a. Goose with me being the only boy in typing classes. But great skill to learn.
This one has me stumped a bit, there must be a RCD or a breaker in this camper, or the mains supply is bungo
KFT said
10:49 AM Apr 5, 2015
I would like to ask what is the make and model of the fridge?
If you are hooked up to mains power the fridge should be operating on that and not the batteries.
looking at your "panel" are the buttons above the switches circuit breakers? have you pressed them in to be sure they are reset?
frank
mellykelly said
10:49 AM Apr 5, 2015
Im not smiling cos this thing is DOING MY HEAD IN!! Will check to see if there's an on switch at the charger - yes we're idiots for not looking but we don't know what we don't know!!
Phil C said
10:53 AM Apr 5, 2015
mellykelly wrote:
Im not smiling cos this thing is DOING MY HEAD IN!! Will check to see if there's an on switch at the charger - yes we're idiots for not looking but we don't know what we don't know!!
Hi Melly, please don't let it do your head in. It's mechanical and can be fixed. I have sent you a private message.
mellykelly said
10:54 AM Apr 5, 2015
The fridge is a Waeco - brand new also. We have it plugged into the 12 v socket. I was told that it still run off the battery when plugged in this way. We do not have an inverter or anderson plug yet.
I don't know if they're circuit breakers. All I know is you switch them on, they light up... From left to right is Batter charger - on, DC outlet - on, Light - off, Refrigerator - on, Water Pump - off. The red knob has a pic of a batter and says 'house', which is on.
Phil C said
10:57 AM Apr 5, 2015
Melly are there other positions on the big switch? House means the camper battery not your house.
mellykelly said
11:01 AM Apr 5, 2015
Oh - hang on I'll go look.
mellykelly said
11:15 AM Apr 5, 2015
Okay more pics - one of the battery switch in on and one in off - they are the only positions. I turned it off at the power point then turned it back on. The battery charger switch was not lit when I turned it back on so pressed the button above it and then it came on. The fridge worked for a couple of minutes but went back to showing not enough power in battery (flashing orange). I am totally clueless with this A manual would have been a fine thing:(
Okay more pics - one of the battery switch in on and one in off - they are the only positions. I turned it off at the power point then turned it back on. The battery charger switch was not lit when I turned it back on so pressed the button above it and then it came on. The fridge worked for a couple of minutes but went back to showing not enough power in battery (flashing orange). I am totally clueless with this A manual would have been a fine thing:(
Ok, sounds like the charger isn't doing the right thing, may be a fuse or not plugged in properly or not switched on. Locate the charger, check the fuse, check it's plugged in and switched on. After that I would ring the dealer and get some answers.
Also check the battery box, some of these have integrated chargers etc in the actual box, maybe a fuse or switch in there.
Just had a thought, may be the battery terminals need tightening.
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 5th of April 2015 11:24:34 AM
mellykelly said
11:24 AM Apr 5, 2015
Okay thanks Phil. Should the battery button be switched on?
Phil C said
11:24 AM Apr 5, 2015
Yes
Footprints said
11:28 AM Apr 5, 2015
I know very little about electronics however could it be possible that while the van was plugged into the Mains the fridge was switched to DC which may explain battery power loss?
mellykelly said
11:29 AM Apr 5, 2015
I'll go check - thanks
Phil C said
11:33 AM Apr 5, 2015
Footprints wrote:
I know very little about electronics however could it be possible that while the van was plugged into the Mains the fridge was switched to DC which may explain battery power loss?
Hi footprints and welcome to you as well. From what I can understand the fridge is 12 volts only, so the mains should only be charging the battery.
May be that all the services in the camper are 12 volts as well. I still have a niggle that there has to be a RCD someplace.
Cheers
Phil C said
11:35 AM Apr 5, 2015
Melly Melly Melly (to quote Sheldon)
Is there in fact a charger on board? When we had our camper we needed an external battery charger, just a thought
mellykelly said
11:36 AM Apr 5, 2015
Bugger got excited there for a minute but alas, after consulting the fridge manual, it tells me that it has an integrated multi-voltage power supply for connecting to an AV voltage source and the priority circuit automatically switches the cool to mains operation if the device is connected to AC mains, even if the 12v cable is still attached (which it is).
mellykelly said
11:38 AM Apr 5, 2015
Well there's this big black thing next to the battery, so I'm assuming so (although one should never assume).
mellykelly said
11:41 AM Apr 5, 2015
This is off the MDC website but what we have
Phil C said
11:42 AM Apr 5, 2015
mellykelly wrote:
Well there's this big black thing next to the battery, so I'm assuming so (although one should never assume).
Melly, sorry to give you the run around, but if you can post a few pics of the box and take a look behind where the power comes into the camper may give me a clue or two.
mellykelly said
11:48 AM Apr 5, 2015
Can't get into it until my husband gets up cos I have to open the camper and I can't do that by myself. But I will this arvo. Did you get pic I posted off MDC website?
Thanks Melly, im surfing around trying to find an answer for you.
mellykelly said
12:16 PM Apr 5, 2015
I've been trying to find a manual with no luck. Thanks again Phil.
Phil C said
12:19 PM Apr 5, 2015
Im not getting much from the website, OK by the look of your last pic it looks like all the gear is in the front tool box. I would suggest disconnecting the charger (the silver box on top) and plugging it into the extension lead, thus avoiding anything on board the camper.
That way at least your battery will get a charge and 12 volt electrics on board will start to work. This will also test the charger to make sure it is working correctly. You may have to do this during your holiday as well until hubby finds the problem or it goes back to the dealer to get fixed.
Please try this and let me know what the outcome is.
Hi. This is my first time posting. We have just bought a brand new MDC Voyager RF V5 (Melbourne) and getting ready to go away. Plugged into mains power and put the fridge on. Found after a couple of days the fridge was off as the battery ran down. Unplugged fridge overnight and left battery charging, turned on the this morning to find 5 minutes later still no power in battery. All the appropriate switches are on (pic attached). Clearly the battery is not charging. Is there a trick to this? Would appreciate some assistance as we are going away Tuesday and completely new at this!!
Good morning and welcome to the forum.
OK, let's go to basic, have you checked the circuit breakers? Thsee will be in a cupboard or box near the mains inlet. If these are on (switched up) then check the cable and power point you have it pluged into. Being a new camper I would guess these are off, has the inlet receptical got a very large earth pin?
BTW from what I can understand, the fridge will only keep cool on 12 volts.
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 5th of April 2015 10:32:31 AM
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 5th of April 2015 10:35:11 AM
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 5th of April 2015 10:39:18 AM
I'm clutch at straws here, but do you know where the charger is located? And if it is switched on from there? Also check it the connections are tight and if the fuse is ok.
Also the pic doesn't really show the labels that clear and I don't think your reflection was smiling, be happy I'm sure others will jump on this with some suggestions too.
Morning Phil, have to say you type faster than me, but that's not hard!
Regards Steve.
Thanks Phil. No we haven't checked the circuit breakers - will do that. Didn't even know there were switches there. Yes we bought a large earth pin plug and attached it. I sorta figured if the appropriate lights were on things were happening which clearly is not the case :(
This one has me stumped a bit, there must be a RCD or a breaker in this camper, or the mains supply is bungo
If you are hooked up to mains power the fridge should be operating on that and not the batteries.
looking at your "panel" are the buttons above the switches circuit breakers? have you pressed them in to be sure they are reset?
frank
Im not smiling cos this thing is DOING MY HEAD IN!! Will check to see if there's an on switch at the charger - yes we're idiots for not looking but we don't know what we don't know!!
Hi Melly, please don't let it do your head in. It's mechanical and can be fixed. I have sent you a private message.
The fridge is a Waeco - brand new also. We have it plugged into the 12 v socket. I was told that it still run off the battery when plugged in this way. We do not have an inverter or anderson plug yet.
I don't know if they're circuit breakers. All I know is you switch them on, they light up... From left to right is Batter charger - on, DC outlet - on, Light - off, Refrigerator - on, Water Pump - off. The red knob has a pic of a batter and says 'house', which is on.
Oh - hang on I'll go look.
Okay more pics - one of the battery switch in on and one in off - they are the only positions. I turned it off at the power point then turned it back on. The battery charger switch was not lit when I turned it back on so pressed the button above it and then it came on. The fridge worked for a couple of minutes but went back to showing not enough power in battery (flashing orange). I am totally clueless with this
A manual would have been a fine thing:(
Ok, sounds like the charger isn't doing the right thing, may be a fuse or not plugged in properly or not switched on. Locate the charger, check the fuse, check it's plugged in and switched on. After that I would ring the dealer and get some answers.
Also check the battery box, some of these have integrated chargers etc in the actual box, maybe a fuse or switch in there.
Just had a thought, may be the battery terminals need tightening.
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 5th of April 2015 11:24:34 AM
Okay thanks Phil. Should the battery button be switched on?
I know very little about electronics however could it be possible that while the van was plugged into the Mains the fridge was switched to DC which may explain battery power loss?
I'll go check - thanks
Hi footprints and welcome to you as well. From what I can understand the fridge is 12 volts only, so the mains should only be charging the battery.
May be that all the services in the camper are 12 volts as well. I still have a niggle that there has to be a RCD someplace.
Cheers
Is there in fact a charger on board? When we had our camper we needed an external battery charger, just a thought
Bugger got excited there for a minute but alas, after consulting the fridge manual, it tells me that it has an integrated multi-voltage power supply for connecting to an AV voltage source and the priority circuit automatically switches the cool to mains operation if the device is connected to AC mains, even if the 12v cable is still attached (which it is).
Well there's this big black thing next to the battery, so I'm assuming so (although one should never assume).
This is off the MDC website but what we have
Melly, sorry to give you the run around, but if you can post a few pics of the box and take a look behind where the power comes into the camper may give me a clue or two.
That's odd. Here it is
That way at least your battery will get a charge and 12 volt electrics on board will start to work. This will also test the charger to make sure it is working correctly. You may have to do this during your holiday as well until hubby finds the problem or it goes back to the dealer to get fixed.
Please try this and let me know what the outcome is.
Cheers