Taps & plugs not working – even on mains. Any suggestions?

[MohoJimmy77]

I've checked the fuses and they're all fine. I can't think what else to check? Really appreciate any help.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Is your main panel switched on?

Might help if you advise which van you have

 

[pappajohn]

Check the mains breakers for sockets.
Check 12v fuses with a multimeter, fuses can look fine but still be blown.

 

[VXman]

Taps will be 12 volt whether on mains or not. So it is strange that your plugs (240v mains I assume you mean) are not working as well as the taps as they are 2 different systems.

 

[autorouter]

First the mains. You've said the mains is not reaching the sockets, but is the mains supply reaching the consumer unit trip switches that should be near the mains inlet socket? It should have some trip switches like this.

There should be a trip switch with a 'Test' button, like the one on the left, called an RCD. And one or more other switches with no test button, called MCBs.

Turn the RCD on (ON = UP). It should stay on. If it won't stay on there is a problem with the mains somewhere after the RCD. If it stays on, press the 'Test' button. The RCD should trip OFF. If it doesn't, then there is no mains reaching the RCD. If it does trip, then at least you know the mains is reaching the RCD.

If you are getting mains to the RCD, try the MCBs. Turn them all off, then turn them on (ON = UP) one by one. If any of them won't stay on, or maybe cause the RCD to trip, then there is a problem with the circuit connected to that MCB.

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[Jev88]

Can you confirm???

1. Is EHU post turned on
2. Have you confirmed EHU lead is good (borrow a different one)
3. Voltage of leisure battery
4. Does voltage go over 13 volts to show your charger is working
5. Have you turned on your controller board

 

[Spriddler]

More info needed as requested in replies above, plus........
Is the m/h new to you?
Have the taps and plugs ever worked?

 

[MohoJimmy77]

Thanks everyone, it's a Fiat Ducato (Lunar Champ 2004). I went away this weekend and everything worked fine, except at one point, the entire system shut down – no power to anything. The engine wouldn't start, nothing worked, no lights or anything – zero power at all, even when I was plugged into the mains. Then the AA arrived and it all miraculously worked fine. All batteries were fully charged. All mains power worked. Very embarrassing and very confusing. Now it's all working except for the taps and plugs. Anyone ever heard of this before?

 

[Otter Spotter]

Thanks everyone, it's a Fiat Ducato (Lunar Champ 2004). I went away this weekend and everything worked fine, except at one point, the entire system shut down – no power to anything. The engine wouldn't start, nothing worked, no lights or anything – zero power at all, even when I was plugged into the mains. Then the AA arrived and it all miraculously worked fine. All batteries were fully charged. All mains power worked. Very embarrassing and very confusing. Now it's all working except for the taps and plugs. Anyone ever heard of this before?

Do you know how the AA sorted it ? Was it the Earth strap ?

 

[GeoffnDee]

It could be worth checking that the connection plugs on the PSU (Calira EVSxxx ?) are fully in place and that all connections on both the starter and leisure batteries are good.

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[autorouter]

In any vehicle, all the devices are supplied on the positive side by individual wires, fuses and switches. If one of these wires, fuses or switches fails, then only one device is affected.

On the negative side, they are usually all connected to the metal chassis, and the electricity flows through the metal chassis towards the alternator/battery negative. All that electricity has to pass through a thick metal wire, which is very finely stranded to resist damage due to vibration. This braided wire is called an earth strap.

The alternator is mounted on the engine block, and the engine block is mounted on the chassis with vibration-absorbing rubber mounts. There is a flexible earth strap between the chassis metal and the engine block metal to take the negative return electric current back to the alternator.

If that earth strap fails, because it's loose, corroded or vibration-damaged, then that can cause the complete and sudden loss of all electrical power.

If it happens again, you could try using a starter jump lead to bypass the earth strap. Clip the jump lead on a metal bit of the engine block, and a metal bit of the fixed bodywork. If the problem goes away, then you have an earth strap problem.

 

[oldiesontour]

In any vehicle, all the devices are supplied on the positive side by individual wires, fuses and switches. If one of these wires, fuses or switches fails, then only one device is affected.

On the negative side, they are usually all connected to the metal chassis, and the electricity flows through the metal chassis towards the alternator/battery negative. All that electricity has to pass through a thick metal wire, which is very finely stranded to resist damage due to vibration. This braided wire is called an earth strap.

The alternator is mounted on the engine block, and the engine block is mounted on the chassis with vibration-absorbing rubber mounts. There is a flexible earth strap between the chassis metal and the engine block metal to take the negative return electric current back to the alternator.

If that earth strap fails, because it's loose, corroded or vibration-damaged, then that can cause the complete and sudden loss of all electrical power.

If it happens again, you could try using a starter jump lead to bypass the earth strap. Clip the jump lead on a metal bit of the engine block, and a metal bit of the fixed bodywork. If the problem goes away, then you have an earth strap problem.

I wouldn't have thought a poor engine earth would affect body side of 12volt ,poor battery to chassis possible,but wouldn't explain lack of 240v.
If I'm understanding correctly ALL OK,Then no 240 or 12v vehicle & leisure then all ok without being touched except taps and 240 sockets (referred to as plugs by op).

 

[meanders]

240 sockets (referred to as plugs by op).

Yep. Live floating plugs are well named as widowmakers.

Easy way to remember is that plugs are male whereas sockets are female (generally but not always in technical environments.)

This one is a puzzle unless the control panel also controls the 230v. (Something I have never seen but is technically possible). If it does control both 12v and 230v, it could be that at fault.

Given that mains voltages can and do kill, and the OP is unfortunately out of their depth, safest advice is to get it looked at professionally. 12v certainly could be explained by earth strap or dodgy connection. That too raises the risk of fire if something starts to arc.

There really is very little to link the 230v, 12v habitation and 12v vehicle electrics apart from a charger. Something very amiss here.

One question for the OP. When it wouldn't start, did the dashboard lights come on? If yes, did they go out as you turned the key to try starting it?

 

[oldiesontour]

Highly unusual fault(s) distance logic says got to be multiple faults IE 1 on 12 v vehicle side 1 on hab side and 1 on 240v but for all to appear at the same time and then largely self rectify at the same time,odds ??? As previously advised get a competent person to investigate asap.Potential here for breakdown or worse still fire !

 

[autorouter]

The engine wouldn't start, nothing worked, no lights or anything – zero power at all, even when I was plugged into the mains. Then the AA arrived and it all miraculously worked fine. All batteries were fully charged. All mains power worked. Very embarrassing and very confusing.

Did the AA man actually do anything or did it put itself right as he arrived? If he did anything do you know what he did?

Now it's all working except for the taps and plugs.

Can you clarify this a bit? Was it the 12V sockets, the 240V sockets, or both that are not working?

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[MohoJimmy77]

Massively grateful for everyone's expertise on this and will have to get a pro. Latest situation is the sockets are working again. The tap motor is making a humming noise but no water is coming out the taps (the tank is full). Way too confusing.

The batteries do seem to drain down a little too quickly, even though they seem to be healthy. Could that be related?

(Btw, AA bloke didn't need to do anything – it all just suddenly worked. Bizarre.)

Anyway, no real need to reply. Just wanted to say thanks!