I'm literally crying, so sad to see this

[Blue Knight]

What makes this event even worse for the guys is that the order time for a new replacement van is likely to take between18-24 months following the date of the insurance settlement.........what a pain in the ar$e!!

 

[jezport]

We are gutted for you both. If you need anything, just message me

 

[gus-lopez]

Your photo's show just how quick it can get out of hand. If it was the battery under a seat it is extremely worrying as these days many vehicles have this system & the clearances are ridiculous.Hopefully they soon get it sorted for you & I am with Riverbankannie in that the memento of Tara can be saved .

Examination by the fire brigade was that the battery under my seat had moved and shorted on the seat post causing the battery fire.

I have one underseat battery in my Transit. There was no fixing when I bought it.Access is a nightmare with clearances above ridiculous when you realise that there are cables for the seat lumbar adjustment & tilt & rise , along with cables for both seat heaters & the switch which is in the base unit.If the plastic cover is not fitted correctly ,or God forbid isn't even there. Side to side is even more ludicrous as the battery is a dead fit between the seat rails & the laughable part is that the vehicle seat base is built with 2 x stamped cut outs either side to allow access for the 10mm socket that you have to use to release the battery clamps. Not even a hint of insulation or any type of sleeving on the metal edge. You are supposed to be able to "remnove te battery with the seat in the forward position" Yes you can but far better to remove the seat so that if you have a problem access is far better & easily sorted if you do have a problem.
How they can ever be safe if not correctly fitted & are allowed to be under the seat makes you wonder?

So I went to check the dist board and saw flames coming from the area around a Velux in our visitors studio apartment.

Sorry to hear that & fortunate you got up.
I hope it is soon sorted.

 

[MicknMew]

So, so sorry to hear about your van, our hearts go out to you both. Can't begin to imagine how you's must be feeling, must be devastated to say the least.As everyone has said, at least you weren't asleep in the van, that doesn't bare thinking about.
Hopefully the insurance will not drag there feet, and can get it all sorted quickly. Take care.
MewnMick

 

[Mountain man]

Good grief,my heart goes out to you both.

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[SpeedyDux]

Just awful. It is what most of us dread. Motorhomes seem to be all too combustible if a small fire starts.

I hope that the insurance claim is sorted quickly and the OP can find a suitable replacement, although I understood this was a real dream find. Best wishes from us.

 

[Roger S]

When I pass a DIY shop I am going to buy a small pair of bolt croppers, the batteries on ours are fairly easy to access so for a pair of £10 croppers next to the battery I think that would be the first place to go if smoke appears, cut the positive (red) cables. Then fire extinguish. Hope I'm waisting my time

 

[golly]

I know it's of no comfort, but if it had to happen, rather at home than at the ski resort, that would have been more of a nightmare. Try and stay as positive as you can and start planing your next van once insurance is settled.

 

[TerryL]

Paul, I've been quite unable to respond until now. After everything you did for me last year, and yes I know, you would have done it for anyone, it just seems so, so unfair.............

But, like me, I know you will recover from this and bounce back (although it likely doesn't feel like that at the moment) 'cos you're both just too nice people to let it keep you down.

Once the van is out of sight (and please make sure you take out ANYTHING you want even if you think it's unsalvegable - think The Repair Shop) without the constant reminder it will be easier to start making plans for a replacement and to take up your motorhoming passion once again.

Brenda joins me in sending you both our best wishes and good luck in the, hopefully, not too distant future.

 

[Catpirate]

So very sorry for you, I really feel for you. I honestly have no more words.

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[StephandJohn]

You may have already said but we were wondering who your insurers are.
We've been motorhomeing for 15 years and most of the stuff inside has a personal to us history. It must be devastating to lose those as well as the new van. Have you been on to the people who sold it to you?

 

[Neilfg]

Shocked and sad, fingers crossed the insurers come through for you

 

[timetochill]

Shocked and sad also, you are great people hope all goes well

 

[ChrisL]

When I pass a DIY shop I am going to buy a small pair of bolt croppers, the batteries on ours are fairly easy to access so for a pair of £10 croppers next to the battery I think that would be the first place to go if smoke appears, cut the positive (red) cables. Then fire extinguish. Hope I'm waisting my time

Bolt croppers may not work so well on multi strand cable, proper cable cutters would be better, like these.

Search Results

Suppliers of high quality electrical parts, components & accessories for campervans, motorhomes, boats & off-grid applications.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

 

[Roger S]

They look better. I didnt notice in the post that the battery had tipped over, I assumed there was a short.

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[funflair]

They look better. I didnt notice in the post that the battery had tipped over, I assumed there was a short.

I don't think it had, the battery moving was somebody els's nightmare.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

There was a large wheel type wrench in what looked like the electrics box next to a few burned out cables in photo15. Near the front seat area.

They look better. I didnt notice in the post that the battery had tipped over, I assumed there was a short.

 

[jongood]

Bolt croppers may not work so well on multi strand cable, proper cable cutters would be better, like these.

Search Results

Suppliers of high quality electrical parts, components & accessories for campervans, motorhomes, boats & off-grid applications.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Why wouldn't you use a spanner?

 

[ChrisL]

Why wouldn't you use a spanner?

Speed. Cable cutters of the right size cut through cable really quickly or at least mine do, far quicker then trying to undo a bolt in a confined space.

Edit: Don't forget this is for an emergency situation only, you don't want to mess around whilst your van is on fire.

 

[Coolcats]

When I pass a DIY shop I am going to buy a small pair of bolt croppers, the batteries on ours are fairly easy to access so for a pair of £10 croppers next to the battery I think that would be the first place to go if smoke appears, cut the positive (red) cables. Then fire extinguish. Hope I'm waisting my time

Neutral is probably better to cut first, if the cutters are uninsulated a short could go across to the earthing....which could be interesting.

For those who are worried about cutting power off in an emergency one of these FIA Jobs would do the trick no cutting of cables, just a simple twist, all track cars have them.


needed.

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[Coolcats]

And a Video

A simple guide to FIA battery cut off switches​

 

[Roger S]

Why wouldn't you use a spanner?

Time, I don't know you would have enough, two batteries.

 

[pelican]

Neutral is probably better to cut first, if the cutters are uninsulated a short could go across to the earthing....which could be interesting.

For those who are worried about cutting power off in an emergency one of these FIA Jobs would do the trick no cutting of cables, just a simple twist, all track cars have them.


needed.View attachment 583751

Have one fitted on my engine batt negative .
Good anti theft and prevents batt drain

 

[WESTY66]

Neutral is probably better to cut first, if the cutters are uninsulated a short could go across to the earthing....which could be interesting.

For those who are worried about cutting power off in an emergency one of these FIA Jobs would do the trick no cutting of cables, just a simple twist, all track cars have them.


needed.View attachment 583751

I have one of these big red cut off switches in the HAB battery compartment on my Carthago C Line which I believe is a Carthago Factory fit, I also have one next to the inverter which I don’t think is factory fit, BIG question….. does the factory one kill ALL the 12v hab electrics

 

[Jackd]

I have one of these big red cut off switches in the HAB battery compartment on my Carthago C Line which I believe is a Carthago Factory fit, I also have one next to the inverter which I don’t think is factory fit, BIG question….. does the factory one kill ALL the 12v hab electrics

Mine does Ady

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[Wissel]

I have one of these big red cut off switches in the HAB battery compartment on my Carthago C Line which I believe is a Carthago Factory fit, I also have one next to the inverter which I don’t think is factory fit, BIG question….. does the factory one kill ALL the 12v hab electrics

Depends how it's wired. Happy to check it if it helps, next time we are both at Jim's.

 

[dash300]

The fire brigade report/conclusion will make interesting reading for all of us and of course the vehicle manufacturer. I hope the insurers don't dispose of it before that happens

 

[glenn2926]

The fire brigade report/conclusion will make interesting reading for all of us and of course the vehicle manufacturer. I hope the insurers don't dispose of it before that happens

Don’t expect too much from the fire report. It’s just a vehicle fire, probably non salvageable, nobody injured, nothing to report really. I’ve never known of an investigation into a vehicle fire, even malicious ones unless there are injuries or fatalities.

 

[dash300]

Don’t expect too much from the fire report. It’s just a vehicle fire, probably non salvageable, nobody injured, nothing to report really. I’ve never known of an investigation into a vehicle fire, even malicious ones unless there are injuries or fatalities.

I know. It was ever thus; somone has to be seriously injured or die before anything is investigated. The Fire Brigade needs to be far more proactive in this regard particularly with the cladding debacle still ongoing. Putting out fires is to late for some!

 

[Phill D]

I know. It was ever thus; somone has to be seriously injured or die before anything is investigated. The Fire Brigade needs to be far more proactive in this regard particularly with the cladding debacle still ongoing. Putting out fires is to late for some!

think that is a bit harsh, think you are down playing the job the brigade does.

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