Burnt out Sargent EM40 unit (1 Viewer)

[Cockers]

Well our road trip has come to an unexpected halt Today travelled down through France and into Spain driving passed Albox on the E-15 A-7 heading toward Almeria and smelt the dreaded electrical burning smell and smoke started coming from the drivers side footwell, we had a very quick stop and switched everything off.
contacted Sargent and explained what had happened, explained the earth wires from the vehicle battery in side had melted and burnt out. I asked if if they could send me a new unit which I’m waiting to find out if they will send a unit to Spain. Strangely they said I would need a new EM40 unit and the repair wiring harness, i found it strange they have a repair harness to hand, which makes me feel there has been a problem with their wiring. I asked if it’s happened a lot to be told a few have had this issue.
really interested if anyone else has had the problem. And if anyone know of anywhere in Spain that may be able to assist.
by unplugging everything from the unit I can still drive the van but nothing is working in the hab area. The van is an Autotrail Dakota 2015.

 

[ija]

Sorry, feeding you duff info. It is a while since I did it so thought I would have a look.
The theory is the red plug carriers to 12v supply from the battery. Reducing the demand on this plug by removing the fridge heater supply means the RED plug is carrying a lot less current.
So I have removed the GREEN plug.
I have a red wire from the battery +ve connected to the TWO Red/Yellow wires.
I have a Black wire from the battery -ve connected top the TWO White/Black wires. These were removed from the Black plug which is still in situ but just with the small yellow wire connected.
Photos to follow in a minute.

Sorry, feeding you duff info. It is a while since I did it so thought I would have a look.
The theory is the red plug carriers to 12v supply from the battery. Reducing the demand on this plug by removing the fridge heater supply means the RED plug is carrying a lot less current.
So I have removed the GREEN plug.
I have a red wire from the battery +ve connected to the TWO Red/Yellow wires.
I have a Black wire from the battery -ve connected top the TWO White/Black wires. These were removed from the Black plug which is still in situ but just with the small yellow wire connected.
Photos to follow in a minute.

Sorry, feeding you duff info. It is a while since I did it so thought I would have a look.
The theory is the red plug carriers to 12v supply from the battery. Reducing the demand on this plug by removing the fridge heater supply means the RED plug is carrying a lot less current.
So I have removed the GREEN plug.
I have a red wire from the battery +ve connected to the TWO Red/Yellow wires.
I have a Black wire from the battery -ve connected top the TWO White/Black wires. These were removed from the Black plug which is still in situ but just with the small yellow wire connected.
Photos to follow in a minute.

Hi, are you still running with this bypass / repair as I’ve got a long french trip coming up in my Autotrail and would feel safer with this rather than risk te connector burning out

 

[WASPES]

Hi, are you still running with this bypass / repair as I’ve got a long french trip coming up in my Autotrail and would feel safer with this rather than risk te connector burning out

Hi I have just read on the Autotrail forum that they have been sending out letters for EM40 RECALL many have said they have had letters today

 

[iain26]

Hi, are you still running with this bypass / repair as I’ve got a long french trip coming up in my Autotrail and would feel safer with this rather than risk te connector burning out

Yes, still working.

I wonder what a dealer would think of it if I go for inspection with the recall

 

[Jonno1103]

Hi I have just read on the Autotrail forum that they have been sending out letters for EM40 RECALL many have said they have had letters today

Yes they're doing it for the EM55 & EM56 too, the problem is the Fridge D+ fuse. Thetford say it should be 25a rather than the 20a Sargent fit.

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[ija]

Yes, still working.

I wonder what a dealer would think of it if I go for inspection with the recall

I would imagine a good excuse to void a warrenty claim

 

[Cockers]

I replaced my EM40 unit with the upgraded EM41, spoke to a guy at Sargent and explained I was using Lithium battery’s and he said the new EM41 unit would solve the problem. It came with new wiring harness which had upgraded connectors and bigger wiring.
Fitted it 6 months ago and had no problems since. Just had a long trip down to Italy where the weather was in the mid to late 30s with no problems. The EM41 did cost me £180.

 

[GeoffnDee]

It could be useful to know that a heavy duty replacement for the EM40 can also be found at www.apuljackelectronics.co.uk in their cataloque (Apuljack electronics section)

 

[Jonno1103]

It could be useful to know that a heavy duty replacement for the EM40 can also be found at www.apuljackelectronics.co.uk in their cataloque (Apuljack electronics section)

Yep they're also working on an upgraded replacement for the EM55 & EM56 too.

 

[Blossom]

I have a 2015 Autotrail, how would I identify if it had an EM40 unit fitted please? I have not received a recall letter yet.

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[Cockers]

I have a 2015 Autotrail, how would I identify if it had an EM40 unit fitted please? I have not received a recall letter yet.

I never received a recall letter either, when I purchased the EM41 there was no mention of a recall. You could phone them and ask

 

[Gellyneck]

Hi I have just read on the Autotrail forum that they have been sending out letters for EM40 RECALL many have said they have had letters today

We're currently travelling so no access to our mail.

Do you happen to have a link to the above?

 

[Diabalo]

I have not had a recall notification yet.

 

[Gellyneck]

I have not had a recall notification yet.

Have you seen the AT Forum page?
We're away so can't check mail and can't find forum page

 

[Diabalo]

Gellyneck Here you go just found it again on faceache

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[Gellyneck]

Gellyneck Here you go just found it again on faceache

View attachment 935558

Thanks buddy.