Habitation lights

Hi there
My first time on a forum and I’ve been meaning to join for ages. I’m a widow who spent time living in a caravan in Australia when my husband and I lived there. After he passed away, two years ago I bought a 2002 Ravenna and have slowly learned about it from you tube and through trial and error.
I’m pretty handy with a lot of things - but the electrics have me fooled! In addition I live in Shetland where we don’t have a dedicated repair place for Motorhomes etc. (At least I haven’t found anywhere yet)
None of my habitation lights are working. They worked perfectly before the winter and I found out when I went to check everything over ready for this year. I’ve checked fuses, the leisure battery is fine, all the sockets, the heater, the water pump, the fridge, the cooker ignition are all working. The only thing I’m not on top of is the fridge on 12v just because I haven’t needed to use it - the fridge is fine on mains.
Excuse me if any of these are silly questions but where do I go from here? Are they like Christmas tree lights? Could one of the bulbs have gone? Could there just be a break in the connection somewhere, if so how the heck do I check when the wires are behind walls? If I was to take it to someone to look at- should it be an electrician or a garage?
I’d appreciate any help - I’m determined to learn as much as I can but electric stuff totally eludes me no matter how many videos I watch!
Thanks

The habitation lights will be powered by the 12V leisure battery which will be charged by the engine and by the 240V hook up, when connected. 
So, first things first, have you switched the 12V on? The only other things that run on 12V are the tap water pump and the toilet water pump, if your system has a separate one. 
Second thing - if the 12V is switched on. Have you run the van on a regular basis over winter., or kept the batteries charged via EHU or removed the batteries and kept them charged in a garage or elsewhere? An unused battery will lose its charge, especially in cold weather. A combination of no charge and cold weather can kill a battery so that it can no longer hold a charge. So you may need a new leisure battery.
When you tried the water pump and it worked, was the van connected to an EHU, because it's possible the 12V charger was sending out enough power for the pump to work, but not the lights?
The fridge will only work on 12V with the engine running, it cannot use 12V in any other circumstance. When pitched the options for the fridge are gas or 240V hook up.
If you need a professional then you need an auto electrician. They sometimes trade on their own or can work for garages or caravan/motorhome dealers.
HTH

Shetland - lucky you. Our last proper holiday pre-covid was to Shetland and Orkney.

You're getting good advice from folk here and there's nothing I can add but I hope you get sorted.

Briskbay25 wrote:Hi there
My first time on a forum and I’ve been meaning to join for ages. I’m a widow who spent time living in a caravan in Australia when my husband and I lived there. After he passed away, two years ago I bought a 2002 Ravenna and have slowly learned about it from you tube and through trial and error.
I’m pretty handy with a lot of things - but the electrics have me fooled! In addition I live in Shetland where we don’t have a dedicated repair place for Motorhomes etc. (At least I haven’t found anywhere yet)
None of my habitation lights are working. They worked perfectly before the winter and I found out when I went to check everything over ready for this year. I’ve checked fuses, the leisure battery is fine, all the sockets, the heater, the water pump, the fridge, the cooker ignition are all working. The only thing I’m not on top of is the fridge on 12v just because I haven’t needed to use it - the fridge is fine on mains.
Excuse me if any of these are silly questions but where do I go from here? Are they like Christmas tree lights? Could one of the bulbs have gone? Could there just be a break in the connection somewhere, if so how the heck do I check when the wires are behind walls? If I was to take it to someone to look at- should it be an electrician or a garage?
I’d appreciate any help - I’m determined to learn as much as I can but electric stuff totally eludes me no matter how many videos I watch!
Thanks

Are sure sure you have found all the fuses. No they are not like Christmas tree lights

If all the Habitation lights are not working, and you have checked the Leisure Battery it doesn't sound too much of a problem. Do you have a multimeter to check Voltages. What Electrics do you have any details would be helpful, as would a Ravenna owner popping up on here.

Thanks to all for your welcome. Hope I’m replying correctly, can’t see how to reply to a specific person but anyway....

To steamdrivenandy. Yes the 12v is on, the charge on the leisure battery seems fine.
What is an EHU?

marconi- what do you mean by ‘what electrics do you have’ - sorry if that seems rude but this is what I mean about not understanding these things. Aargh   I have bought a multimeter and did think I should check if there is power going to the lights but there doesn’t seem to be - the multimeter is another thing that’s beyond me

Cymro - I don’t think there is another on/off switch besides the one on the main panel- haven’t seen one in 2 years but I will check in case it’s something I’ve missed! 

I think in the end I’ll try to find a friendly auto electrician who doesn’t mind lots of questions. Thanks for all your help though. I’ll keep you updated.

Briskbay25 wrote:
What is an EHU?

marconi- what do you mean by ‘what electrics do you have’ - sorry if that seems rude but this is what I mean about not understanding these things. Aargh   I have bought a multimeter and did think I should check if there is power going to the lights but there doesn’t seem to be - the multimeter is another thing that’s beyond me


I think in the end I’ll try to find a friendly auto electrician who doesn’t mind lots of questions. Thanks for all your help though. I’ll keep you updated.

EHU is Electric Hook Up, (Plugged into the mains). But I think that is not relevant to to your problem.

Electrics, what make is the Main Panel does it have any identification. Some panels have trips which go wrong I don't have much information from the era.

Yes. I bet there are some very versatile auto electricians around there who could crack it pretty easily. 

We won't give up on someone who knows the Ravenna coming up yet though.

For professional help, try:

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or

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Briskbay, I recall seeing a weekend gathering of caravans and motorhomes at Delting Marina, Brae. They seemed to be a local group who met up for weekend get togethers so they must use a local repairer/servicing technician. 

Perhaps, when you see a van parked at someone's house, a cheeky knock on the door with a polite question or two might get you some info as to who to contact.

NB. If you want to quote a particular post in your reply, click on the Quote box in that post and it will appear in a yellow box in your reply. Type your words immediately below that box.

Is there a switch just inside the door? A lot of vans have such a switch , like a master switch to turn just the lights off. You can switch lights off as you leave the van and if you return in the dark then this switch can turn them on before you actually  enter the van. Is it possible  this has been turned off and simply needs switching on again.

Briskbay25 wrote: Could one of the bulbs have gone? Could there just be a break in the connection somewhere, if so how the heck do I check when the wires are behind walls? 

I see no overnight takers from Ravenna owners. 

Yes the cables do disappear in the walls but they don't often fail in there, they will pop out at the Control Unit , Switches and Lights where they can be seen. One further thing I know has happened is the Negative lead connecting point has corroded or become loose, this would effect all lights on the same switch and is something to bear in mind.

marconi wrote:

Briskbay25 wrote:
What is an EHU?

marconi- what do you mean by ‘what electrics do you have’ - sorry if that seems rude but this is what I mean about not understanding these things. Aargh   I have bought a multimeter and did think I should check if there is power going to the lights but there doesn’t seem to be - the multimeter is another thing that’s beyond me


I think in the end I’ll try to find a friendly auto electrician who doesn’t mind lots of questions. Thanks for all your help though. I’ll keep you updated.

EHU is Electric Hook Up, (Plugged into the mains). But I think that is not relevant to to your problem.

Electrics, what make is the Main Panel does it have any identification. Some panels have trips which go wrong I don't have much information from the era.

Yes. I bet there are some very versatile auto electricians around there who could crack it pretty easily. 

We won't give up on someone who knows the Ravenna coming up yet though.

Thanks Marconi. I’ll have a look and see any identification

Paulmold wrote:Is there a switch just inside the door? A lot of vans have such a switch , like a master switch to turn just the lights off. You can switch lights off as you leave the van and if you return in the dark then this switch can turn them on before you actually  enter the van. Is it possible  this has been turned off and simply needs switching on again.

Hi- thank you. I haven’t noticed one but I’ll check 

I had my Amethyst for some time before I found the "night switch". Mine is hidden by the curtain next to the Worktop over the fridge and I always use the blinds not the curtain. In fact it was my granddaughter playing in the motorhome who found it

Some of the builds seem to be personal to the individual assembler in the factory so these things can be a bit variable.

We have a 2002 Ravenna.  You probably already know this but just in case.  The control panel containing masterswitch and isolation switches for pump, lights etc is on the outside wall of the wardrobe towards the rear of the habitation area.  Inside the wardrobe on the wall towards the front of the van is a circuit breaker box.  In the past I have inadvertently knocked one of these switches (up or down) rendering some electrics inoperable until the mistake is realised often some hours!  It might be worth checking these.  Good luck and what a wonderful van you have.

Does anyone know if there is a hidden 12v on-off switch on the Autosleeper Pollensa 2002? - I have lost a 12v power to all  lights etc and checked all batteries and fuses. There is a single  switch inside the rear door but this makes no difference.

When you say all lights etc, does the 'etc' mean the other hab 12V items such as the pump, fridge ignition on gas, 12V sockets are also not working or do you just mean the lights?

I have a 2002 Pollensa and on mine there is no hidden switch nor one at the rear door (apart from the one with the built in step light). The only switches I have are on the panel over the forward facing seat with access to the rear in the wardrobe. This includes a master rocker switch for all of the hab 12V, below the battery voltage/water level meter. Then there are two rows of three red rocker switches - on the top row 1 is the hab lights, 2 is the pump and 3 is the * Inappropriate Word * ignition. I don't know what the lower row switches do, if anything, I've never had cause to check.  Note that these switches are the opposite from usual, i.e push the top for On and the bottom for Off. I haven't had the cover inside the wardrobe off for years, since I connected a spare 12V socket in the wardrobe to charge the vacuum cleaner, so I can't remember what fuses etc might be in there?

There is also a switch on the Zig 12V supply/leisure battery charger, accessible through a round hole with a plastic cap in the wardrobe floor, with a green LED to indicate On.

Under the driver's seat by the leisure battery is a block of fuses and two relays - one to connect the fridge to the alternator/engine battery only when the ignition is on and the other to disconnect the hab 12V also when the ignition is on. You say you've checked all the fuses, have you checked the relays?

I can't think of anything else that might cause all of your 12V lights to fail.

dancinmick wrote:We have a 2002 Ravenna.  You probably already know this but just in case.  The control panel containing masterswitch and isolation switches for pump, lights etc is on the outside wall of the wardrobe towards the rear of the habitation area.  Inside the wardrobe on the wall towards the front of the van is a circuit breaker box.  In the past I have inadvertently knocked one of these switches (up or down) rendering some electrics inoperable until the mistake is realised often some hours!  It might be worth checking these.  Good luck and what a wonderful van you have.

Yup! Checked those! But thanks - and yes it’s a great van for me and the three dogs- they all have their own space on the seats!

rogerblack wrote:When you say all lights etc, does the 'etc' mean the other hab 12V items such as the pump, fridge ignition on gas, 12V sockets are also not working or do you just mean the lights?

I have a 2002 Pollensa and on mine there is no hidden switch nor one at the rear door (apart from the one with the built in step light). The only switches I have are on the panel over the forward facing seat with access to the rear in the wardrobe. This includes a master rocker switch for all of the hab 12V, below the battery voltage/water level meter. Then there are two rows of three red rocker switches - on the top row 1 is the hab lights, 2 is the pump and 3 is the * Inappropriate Word * ignition. I don't know what the lower row switches do, if anything, I've never had cause to check.  Note that these switches are the opposite from usual, i.e push the top for On and the bottom for Off. I haven't had the cover inside the wardrobe off for years, since I connected a spare 12V socket in the wardrobe to charge the vacuum cleaner, so I can't remember what fuses etc might be in there?

There is also a switch on the Zig 12V supply/leisure battery charger, accessible through a round hole with a plastic cap in the wardrobe floor, with a green LED to indicate On.

Under the driver's seat by the leisure battery is a block of fuses and two relays - one to connect the fridge to the alternator/engine battery only when the ignition is on and the other to disconnect the hab 12V also when the ignition is on. You say you've checked all the fuses, have you checked the relays?

I can't think of anything else that might cause all of your 12V lights to fail.

Hi
Thank you - sounds identical to my switch panel. Same here- no idea what the bottom row of switches does!
One thing I haven’t found is a switch on the Zig 12v charger so I’ll have a look at that.
I’ve found the fuses and relays under the seat - fuses are fine, need to check the relays.

It’s all the lights that are off, on both 12v and EHU - but everything else is on on both 12v and EHU and on gas - It’s very strange - various neighbours and I have tried to brainstorm but no luck yet.

Thanks for the input

Hi Roger
Many Thanks for your detailed reply.  I've looked at the points which you mention ---it appears that no 2 Pollensas are the same - although I note that yours is a Boxer body whereas mine is a Transit (2002). Still I expect the operating principles are the same.
1.When I say my lights etc are not working, yes I mean all habitaton equipment...incl.hab  lights, pump and fridge ignition on gas.  The hab equipment all works fine on EHU when the switch is ON at the under-wardrobe Zig 12vsupply /battery charger unit which you mention , and the battery-select switch on the Zig panel is set to HAB.
2. I have replaced the 3 fuses in the fuseblock beside the leisure battery - I see that there is only one  relay there-- which I haven't tested yet-- is it possible that this could be stuck in the OFF position regardless of whether the van Ignition is on or off? 
The Zig panel does not in fact have a master rocker switch for all of the hab 12v ...it has the 2 rows of the other switches which you mention ok.
The leisure battery shows a full charge on both the Zig panel and on my RING battery charger...so Looks like its down to the relay ??? Ill try a replacement relay there ...will let you know the outcome.

Hi BRISKBAY25....re the box which converts EHU mains electricity to 12v , mine as Roger said  is underneath the floor of the wardrobe and the ON-OFF switch is on the top of this box - your habitation lights should work ok when this switch is ON and you connect to mains electricity (EHU).....providing all other and EHU switches are in the ON position.    Of course this does not solve the 12v problem
PS    Anyone know Is it possible to attach pictures to our messages on this forum website here?

BRISKBAY25.........I just read over your post again there...I see that  its ONLY your hab lights that dont work....,On my Zig panel there are 2 unmarked switches which control the habitation lights...both roof lights and any smaller spotlights, right and left sides.  Try switching on a hab light  ...at the light itself ...and then switching various switches on the Zig panel on and off ....to see if this will persuade your hab lights to work.
Sean

More importantly Sean's post point to a single device that could affect a group of lights.

That is where I would start, remove the switch and see if there is any power at that position.

seangaughan wrote: is it possible that this could be stuck in the OFF position regardless of whether the van Ignition is on or off? 

Yes, in fact the relay contacts may be burnt out, not an unusual occurrence.