ELECTRICS
98
Battery charging
If a leisure battery is fitted and requires
charging the Charge Status LED will illuminate.
Depending on the state of charge of the
battery this LED will illuminate red for bulk
charge (14.4V output) or green for float charge
(13.6V output). It may take a few hours to
several days to charge the battery depending
on its state of charge. When the battery is fully
charged the regulator will turn off to prevent
overcharging of the battery. If the mains
charger is turned on to charge the leisure
battery this can also cause the solar panel
regulator to turn off.
Power Supply Unit
The PSU does not need to be switched on
(shutdown button in) for the solar panel to
charge the battery, but if the PSU has an
LCD display then this can be used to see the
increase in battery voltage as the solar panel
charges the battery. During caravan storage
the PSU should be shutdown (shutdown
button out).
Control Panel
When the solar panel is operating the voltage
display on the leisure battery will increase if the
loads placed on the battery are sufficiently light.
Maintenance and cleaning
The solar panel will require cleaning periodically
in order to maintain the performance of the
panel, a caravan, car shampoo or simple soap
can be used; no abrasive cleaners should
be used.
Generator usage
Caution should be used before connecting a
generator to your caravan.
! WARNING: Never start or stop
the generator while electrical loads are
connected and switched on. Start the
engine, let it stabilise, then connect the
electrical load. To stop engine, disconnect
the electrical load and let engine stabilise
before switching off.
Whilst some generators use invertor technol-
ogy, others use a more basic principle to
generate the 230v supply. Preference should
be to choose a generator which produces a
consistent sinusoidal wave form with accurate
voltage control.
The reverse polarity warning light may
illuminate when using a generator. This is a
normal side effect when using some types of
generator. Instead of connecting the neutral
and live conductors 110v above earth. This
110v difference causes the neon polarity
indicator to illuminate.
In most cases it is safe to use a generator, but
please consult the generator handbook for
further information.
Habitation relay
Habitation relays are fitted to caravans by
manufacturers to comply with the following
legislation:
1. The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use)
Regulations 1986 Regulation 60 - Radio
interference suppression
2. Council Directive 72/245/EEC of June 20,
1972 amending for the purpose of their
adaptation to technical progress, relating
to the radio interference (electromagnetic
compatibility) of vehicles and Council
Directive 70/156/EEC on the approximation
of the laws of the Member States relating
to the type-approval of motor vehicles and
their trailers.
A habitation relay must be fitted by
manufacturers, safe guarding the consumer.
The purpose of the relay is to disable non-
homologated appliances/components whilst
the vehicle is in transit.
Unitentional electromagnetic energy can be
created by non-homologated devices within
the habitation compartment, which could
cause a malfunction of the towing vehicles
electronic systems/components, including
safety critical items such as air bags, ABS
braking etc.
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General