240v Electrical Fault Finding, Manager 100

Here are some steps you can take to fault-find any 240v electrical issues you may be having with your van

Here are some steps you can take to fault-find any electrical issues you may be having with your van. Some vans will have slightly different layouts and electrical appliances used, but this will give you a general idea and should be able to guide you in the right direction to fault-find.

1. Start by verifying that the 15-amp inlet and the Residual Current Device (RCD) breaker are in good condition. Make sure the inlet connections are clean and secure. If the RCD has tripped and is in the down position, you will not have power to the van, also check the backs of the RCD from inside the van either under the lounge to see if there are any burn marks on the unit which will indicate if the power inlet is the issue.

2. On the top right of the RCD breaker, there will be a white button with the letter T.  With your extension lead plugged into your van, Press this button. If your breaker trips to the down position, it means you have power going to the van, and there may be an issue inside the van. If the breaker has not tripped, this indicates there is no power going to the van, and the problem lies within the extension lead or site power.

3. Inspect the Extension lead: Check the Power Lead for any visible damage, or loose connections. If possible, try using a different power lead to connect your caravan to the power source. This helps determine whether the issue lies with the lead or with another component in the caravan's electrical system. You can also try your Extension lead on another caravan to see if its tripping there breaker which will help determine if you need a new power lead. (do note running a 10amp appliance from your lead can not determine if the lead is faulty due to the fact it is not running 15amps) 

4. Inspect the Breaker on the inverter: Check this breaker to ensure it is not tripped. If it is, reset it and monitor whether it trips again. If it keeps tripping, it may indicate a appliance in the van causing this

5. Inspect the Inverter: Check the inverter for any visible damage, loose connections, or warning lights. Make sure it is properly grounded and that the input and output wiring are secure. Test the inverter by turning it on and connecting an appliance to its output to see if it functions correctly.

6. inspect for Faulty Appliances: Unplug all devices and appliances from the circuit, including the cooktop, washing machine, and any other appliances you can think of. Once everything is unplugged, start by plugging them in one by one to see if a particular appliance is causing the issue. If one specific appliance consistently trips the circuit, it may be faulty and in need of repair or replacement.

Bypass the Inverter: Bypassing the inverter is a method to help identify whether there is an issue specifically with the inverter, as opposed to other components in the van. By doing so, you can run shore power directly through the van, bypassing the Redarc inverter will ensure that your battery can charge via the Manager 100 while also using 240V power in the van, follow these steps:

1. Ensure Power Is Off: Verify that your van is not plugged into mains power. This is crucial to safely bypass the inverter.

2. Turn Off the Inverter: On the inverter, there will be a switch labelled 1, 0, and 2. Set this to 0 to turn the inverter off completely.

3. Connect AC In and AC Out: With the inverter turned off and the van unplugged from mains power, plug the AC in and AC out cables into each other. This effectively bypasses the inverter circuit. Once the AC in and AC out are connected, you can plug the mains power back into the van. This will allow your battery to charge via the Manager 100 system and enable the use of 240V appliances within the van.

4. Verify Operation: Check that your 240V appliances are working correctly and that the battery is charging as expected. If the van's electrical system is functioning when bypassing the inverter, there may be an issue with the Inverter unit. Please contact Redarc to have this inspected by one of their approved agents.

Redarc:
1300 733 272
power@redarc.com.au
https://www.redarc.com.au/warranty
https://www.redarcelectronics.com/au/finder

Consult the Manual:
Refer to the user manual for your caravan's electrical system, inverter, and any other components. The manual can provide specific troubleshooting tips and guidance.