Sargent EC325

A well discussed subject I believe? Mine has developed a fault in that it displays vehicle battery low voltage 3.2v. Testing the battery, it's a healthy 12.7v. Switching the EC325 off the display eventually reads the correct voltage 12.7v. When starting the MH I initially get a warning busser from the EC325. Presently on site so not investigated much further than recycling power awiches etc. Anything further I can do? Pending return home and dismantling the unit? Thanks J C.

Contact Sargent help, they are usually very helpful with diagnosis of problems.

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Thankyou Ploughlin, my next move on return. Cheers J C.

None of the tech support agents at Sargent have a clue how the EC325 works - I had to send them a copy of their own information sheet on the EC325 before they would concede that they were talking rubbish - they were advising as though it was an EC328 which is a completely different animal.

If you find its a problem with the control unit, I have a fully functional spare (but going away for a month this Saturday). I replaced the EC325 with an EC328 which is a much better unit.

The EC325 will give a warning when the engine is started if still on hook up or it thinks the step is out.

Peter, you're correct. Sargent did reply with suggestion of checking supplies to the EC325. However your reply may have given the answer. I removed my step assembly being a pain as it kept on fouling my addition external step. Just wondering if this has somehow screwed the signals to the Sargent unit? Further invest' when I get home. Cheers JC.

There is a microswitch above the step which deals with changing the polarity of the motor when the step is retracted or out. If the microswitch is not pressed by the step frame then the electrics will think the step is out. You have probably found the cause of your beeping. You will need to discover whether you need to connect together the wires to the microswitch or to insulate them from each other. I have recently put up a post which shows the location of the switch and how it is actuated.

Thankyou. Did try a quick press of the switch but no response. Will investigate further once home. Thankyou.

I seem to recall that when I had the problem of the step refusing to retract there was a delay of a second of two after the step had retracted before hearing a click and seeing a slight judder of the step mechanism. So a quick press may not be enough. It makes sense that the mechanism needs to know that the step really is up and hasn't dropped down again.

Thanks Ron. I guess the best course of action will be to reinstall the step and take from there. Cheers J C.

Have you tried removing fuse 5 in the EM50 unit behind the driver's seat, this controls power to the step and may stop the signal problem?

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No Peter but thankyou for the advice. Another possibility. Cheers J C.

Tried removing fuse F5 as you suggested Peter, no change in voltage reading on display, still 3.5v. The unit did however sound a low bussing noise. Incidently the operating arm of the step is now jamed in the up position not moving on any selection. Sargent suggested checking vehicle voltage input at the EC325 which I'll do on return. Their advice, if voltage is OK is to replace the module with the 328, the 325 being no longer available. What's the advantage of the 328 over the 325 please Peter?

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see last post at link above

I should add that the EC328 is pin compatible with the EC325 but is a conventional float charge system

windsurf, I've sent you a pm

Hi all. Just an update on my EC325 problems. Indeed the unit was not telling lies, it was only receiving 3.4v from the vehicle battery. Tracing the wiring back eventually led me to a blown 25amp fuse in one of the vehicles fuse boards marked body services. Obviously AS used this for power to the 325. Anyway, fuse replaced, display back to normal 12.7v. I'm guessing that dismantling the steps caused the problem. Happy days. Thanks all for the help and advice. Regards John C.