12v stopped working when not on hookup

MattWithMoho

MattWithMoho

Joined
Aug 23, 2022
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Bailey Autograph
I have a 71-plate Bailey Autograph 79-4, when "hooked up", all electrics work fine.
When not hooked up and just on leisure battery, the control panel has no power to turn 12v on, only started doing it in the last 2 journeys.
I've verified leisure battery (13.6v) (verified this on the panel, via Victron & separate check via voltage tester)
Fuse panel all checked

Does anyone have any suggestions as to where else I should check?
 
MattWithMoho said:
I have a 71-plate Bailey Autograph 79-4, when "hooked up", all electrics work fine.
When not hooked up and just on leisure battery, the control panel has no power to turn 12v on, only started doing it in the last 2 journeys.
I've verified leisure battery (13.6v) (verified this on the panel, via Victron & separate check via voltage tester)
Fuse panel all checked

Does anyone have any suggestions as to where else I should check?
Click to expand...
within about 60cm of the leisure battery, there will be a fuse in the main cable. 50a probably. check that
 
Only because I may have done this.

You haven't inadvertently turned off the control panel and it just needs turning on ?
 
suavecarve said:
Only because I may have done this.

You haven't inadvertently turned off the control panel and it just needs turning on ?
Click to expand...
If only haha.... I've pressed the power button more times than I care to mention
 
Tombola said:
within about 60cm of the leisure battery, there will be a fuse in the main cable. 50a probably. check that
Click to expand...
Firstly, I need to write a letter to Baileys of Bristol for putting the fuse in a stupid, inaccessible place.
It was an inline 15a fuse, all good, but I replaced it to be sure, sadly no change, but a good suggestion never the less.

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MattWithMoho said:
I've verified leisure battery (13.6v) (verified this on the panel, via Victron & separate check via voltage tester)
Click to expand...
It won't be that high unless it is on charge.
Sounds to me like your battery has had it, you need to disconnect all charging sources, leave it for at least ½ hour then measure it and also see what happens to the volts when you put a load on it.
 
Lenny HB said:
It won't be that high unless it is on charge.
Sounds to me like your battery has had it, you need to disconnect all charging sources, leave it for at least ½ hour then measure it and also see what happens to the volts when you put a load on it.
Click to expand...
Disconnected the connections, left for roughly 1.5hrs, battery was showing 11.8v - Would this indicate a weak battery, as in enough for the electrics not to come on?
Sadly I don't have anything 12v to put load on it, and with the 12v electrics not coming in I'm struggling a bit.
 
Definitely looks like your leisure battery has given up the ghost. I’m in the same position at the moment and have ordered a new one this morning- present one has lasted 8 years so can’t grumble. I’m at home so no problem. First noticed problem when step came out half way and then stopped. Plugged in hookup cable and step worked properly. Similarly the water pump would only work momentarily then stopped but okay on hookup.
 
11.8v suggests the battery has had it.
Had the same problem on my Autograph 68-2.
The leisure battery had died and the panel not working unless on hook-up
Fortunately mine was still under warranty. When I took it in to get a new battery they found the control panel also needed replacing. Probably not what you wanted to hear.
Have you tried checking 12v is actually reaching the panel?
The black surround comes off with just fingertip pressure to reveal 4 fixing screws.
I suggest you take a photo of the connections as there are 6 or 7 multi pin connectors but also some blank spaces, so it helps when reconnecting.
Put a meter on the 12v feed and see what you get.
The earth connection on the panel can also cause problems. In fact when mine was done they said before they started work that this was the case. When the new panel was fitted they still had trouble getting it to work until they remembered their own advice!
 
RIP Banner battery.... You've served me well on my travels....
I won't lie, I love researching and ordering kit for the MoHo, so my grieving hasn't lasted long haha

Thanks for all your assistance gang, greatly appreciated
 
KNWH said:
11.8v suggests the battery has had it.
Had the same problem on my Autograph 68-2.
The leisure battery had died and the panel not working unless on hook-up
Fortunately mine was still under warranty. When I took it in to get a new battery they found the control panel also needed replacing. Probably not what you wanted to hear.
Have you tried checking 12v is actually reaching the panel?
The black surround comes off with just fingertip pressure to reveal 4 fixing screws.
I suggest you take a photo of the connections as there are 6 or 7 multi pin connectors but also some blank spaces, so it helps when reconnecting.
Put a meter on the 12v feed and see what you get.
The earth connection on the panel can also cause problems. In fact when mine was done they said before they started work that this was the case. When the new panel was fitted they still had trouble getting it to work until they remembered their own advice!
Click to expand...
We're away this weekend in the lakes, where I'll have some time to try this idea out, many thanks. Fingers crossed its just the battery
 
KNWH said:
11.8v suggests the battery has had it.
Had the same problem on my Autograph 68-2.
The leisure battery had died and the panel not working unless on hook-up
Fortunately mine was still under warranty. When I took it in to get a new battery they found the control panel also needed replacing. Probably not what you wanted to hear.
Have you tried checking 12v is actually reaching the panel?
The black surround comes off with just fingertip pressure to reveal 4 fixing screws.
I suggest you take a photo of the connections as there are 6 or 7 multi pin connectors but also some blank spaces, so it helps when reconnecting.
Put a meter on the 12v feed and see what you get.
The earth connection on the panel can also cause problems. In fact when mine was done they said before they started work that this was the case. When the new panel was fitted they still had trouble getting it to work until they remembered their own advice!
Click to expand...
Hi KNWH - Took the panel off, do you have a wiring diagram to ascertain which is the 12v connection, more importantly, where the potential offending earth connection is?
 
MattWithMoho said:
Hi KNWH - Took the panel off, do you have a wiring diagram to ascertain which is the 12v connection, more importantly, where the potential offending earth connection is?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately not, sorry!
I’d expect the power cable to be brown?
Is there a connector with three cables maybe thicker than the others? L, N and E

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If you can run to installing a Victron Smartshunt when you replace the battery, you'll be able to monitor the battery health really easily via bluetooth on your phone. It will also give you some extra joy researching, sourcing and installing this wonderful bit of kit.
 
KNWH said:
Unfortunately not, sorry!
I’d expect the power cable to be brown?
Is there a connector with three cables maybe thicker than the others? L, N and E
Click to expand...
Never assume anything about colours. On German MHs the negatives are all brown.

'L, N and E', ie Live Neutral and Earth, are 230V AC names, because the live wire alternates positive and negative, and the neutral stays at around zero. For DC battery electrics it's straightforward Positive and Negative, with the Negative connected to the metal chassis, so it's sometimes called an earth return.
 
KNWH said:
Unfortunately not, sorry!
I’d expect the power cable to be brown?
Is there a connector with three cables maybe thicker than the others? L, N and E
Click to expand...
No problem, thanks for responding.... I rang BCA who manufacture the units Seattle, naturally they can't provide the wiring diagram, but the guy was really helpful. I'll test what he said tomorrow and then put it back on the chat for others in the future
 
ManTheVan said:
If you can run to installing a Victron Smartshunt when you replace the battery, you'll be able to monitor the battery health really easily via bluetooth on your phone. It will also give you some extra joy researching, sourcing and installing this wonderful bit of kit.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that, good to know.... I bought an Eco-Worthy 150ha, which comes with onboard bluetooth battery connection - My dad would turn in his grave at such poshness!!
 
What model number is the BCA unit? Is it a distribution/fusebox with a separate display/control panel?

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autorouter said:
Never assume anything about colours. On German MHs the negatives are all brown.

'L, N and E', ie Live Neutral and Earth, are 230V AC names, because the live wire alternates positive and negative, and the neutral stays at around zero. For DC battery electrics it's straightforward Positive and Negative, with the Negative connected to the metal chassis, so it's sometimes called an earth return.
Click to expand...
Yeah, sorry, was replying in a rush without brain in gear!
 
Took a couple of pictures for myself and may be helpful to others see what the back of the Seattle panel looks like.... After speaking to the BCA guy, he was correct, Positive is Red/Green / Negative White. I sadly have no power to these while not on EHU, so the mystery continues



IMG_0848.webp

IMG_0849(1).webp
 
Are you getting 12v to anything else when not on hookup, e.g. are the blue lights glowing on the USB sockets once you’ve lifted the rubber flap up?
You say you replaced a 15A inline fuse.
When I lost 12v power once a discovered a blown 30A inline fuse under the floor of the wardrobe.
I would have thought your bigger Bailey would have a fuse at least as big as mine.
Is there another one you’ve missed?
Photo of mine below in case it helps, with cover opened.
Have you checked the blade fuse? Probably a 5A one labelled ‘control panels’ if it’s the same as mine below, 6th from the right.
IMG_2110.webp
IMG_3059.webp
 
KNWH said:
Are you getting 12v to anything else when not on hookup, e.g. are the blue lights glowing on the USB sockets once you’ve lifted the rubber flap up?
You say you replaced a 15A inline fuse.
When I lost 12v power once a discovered a blown 30A inline fuse under the floor of the wardrobe.
I would have thought your bigger Bailey would have a fuse at least as big as mine.
Is there another one you’ve missed?
Photo of mine below in case it helps, with cover opened.
Have you checked the blade fuse? Probably a 5A one labelled ‘control panels’ if it’s the same as mine below, 6th from the right.View attachment 1041236View attachment 1041240
Click to expand...
Thanks KNWH, I'll go digging for that inline fuse, I did see that black inline connector, but didn't know it had a fuse in... I'm up in north Wales in the moho, so that my morning sorted haha

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