switch panel Forums

IrishHomer

I am now very confused. I always leave this switch in the centre position unless cab lights are needed (a) when travelling and (b) when stopped but not hooked up. At night we have so far always used campsites hook up. When hooked up, I leave the switch in centre "off" position. When parked at house all winter I leave switch "off". Both batteries seem to be fine at moment.

what should I be doing?

IH

badger

Sorry....I'm now completely Lost........For the last 2 years.......on the advice of someone (cant remember but probably not on here) When on hook up I leave that switch in the central (off) position, charger on and powering 12v from the charger. No one ever said that the battery wasnt charging in this position. neither did the say that the vehicle battery could be charged from here......Is everyone sure that this is the case with all units whatever make?

claypigeon

Hi Badger my switch panel in my bessie is the same as sarumans,my batt switch has to be down ie leisure batt when on hookup the up position is only for charging engine batt or using engine batt for 12 volt habitation use i hope this explanation makes sense if not pm me.

Dave

chrisr

I have a 630l and as far as i am aware the down position is to charge the leisure battery but the up position does not charge the vehicle battery it just uses it for power in an emergency ?

I stand to be corrected though !, and will have a battery trickle charger for sale if this is the case.

Chris

martynandlin

hi all according to the handbook page 36 "to charge either battery, position the battery selector switch to the appropriate position on the distribution panel" so it charges both batteries depending which one is selected if in neutral position no batteries are charged as i found out last week.

Martyn

Mikemoss

I hope this isn't going to add confusion, but when we picked up our Bessie (which has a similar, but not identical switch between batteries) the guy told us to use the centre position when driving, switch it to habitation battery on site (and with charger on when on hook-up).

The cab battery position runs all the 12v stuff off the cab, and if the charger is on it charges that one too. We only use that one at home to keep the cab battery nicely charged ready for the next journey.

If on hook up, he advised against leaving the switch in the central position for a reason which seemed valid at the time but escapes me now. Maybe something about the voltage not being stable.

Followed all that advice and both batteries are still fine and no bothers at all.

scotsman

have owned 630L for 3 years and this is what i got told and worked,

Switch in central position ( off) BOTH batteries charging when driving or hook up

Switch down leisure battery only charging

Switch up only cab battery charging

martynandlin

Hi All My 590 RS definitely does not charge either battery when on hook up and the switch is in the centre position. If you place a volt meter on the batteries and operate the switch to select leisure or vehicle battery when on hook up you can see the increase in voltage to approx 13.5 volts when the switch is central you see battery voltage 12.5 volts.

My panel is the same as the one shown in the picture earlier in the thread.

Martyn

badger

I Have now consulted the oracle (handbook) for my Plug in systems PMS3 Power management system.

It says "WHEN ON VAN, ALL 12V CIRCUITS ARE POWERED FROM LEISURE BATTERY. IF YOU SWITCH THE CHARGER ON, THE BATTERY WILL BE CHARGED FROM THE CHARGER UNIT."

"WHEN IN OFF POSITION, THE POWRE TO ALL DC POWER UNITS IS ISOLATED (USE THIS POSITION FOR TRAVELLING)

CAR (ENGINE BATTERY) "THE SWITCH CAN BE PUT IN THIS POSITION SHOULD THE LEISURE BATTERY BECOME DISCHARGED AND THERE IS NO 240V SUPPLY AVAILABLE. POWER WILL THEN BE DRAWN FRON THE ENGINE BATTERY".

The noteable parts of this are that no mention is made about charging to engine battery or that the battery would be charged if in off position.