Wanderer Motorhome Page 8

Contents:
1. Engine Wiring Drawings Wiring found inside engine compartment. 2. Control Panel Drawing. 
3. Complete Internal Drawing of Van area.  4. Leisure Battery. 5. Tank Level Meter 6. Fuse Holders

An ingenious simple description, with picture, of the split charger for a Motorhome can be seen at:

http://www.kampenwagen.co.uk/Split%20Charge.htm

This is the schematic drawing and photo, of the wiring setup in the engine compartment of the AUTOHOMES WANDERER. [Also most Motorhomes.] The cables are then sent under the chassis to the control panel on the wardrobe cupboard wall.

When travelling the one relay passes current to the fridge, while it  turns off all electrics to the caravan section.

The other relay turns the leisure battery to the van Alternator charging circuit so the alternator charges both batteries when travelling.

It is extremely important that fuses are fitted in their correct positions. I have seen on vehicles where wiring has melted due to incorrect position of fuses. You will note I have shown the battery fuses fitted as close as possible to the battery terminals.

Water Tank Level Meter

      My vehicle is 12 years old now, but the Fresh water tank level meter was always something that caused a problem reading the levels. I have since found, after removing the tank inspection lid for maintenance, that the meter probes just don't go near the bottom. So when the tank shows empty it is actually 1/4 full!

The other problem is, the adjustment on the meter. I have found that any level adjustment should be done when the tank is FULL.

     No matter how carefull I am, while adjusting my meter, it would go hard over to stop, and is now showing signs of bending. This is an electronic design problem and I'm suprised the coach builder allowed this.

     Having done a reverse engineering check of the Meter, below can be seen my modification where I have inserted a 22K ohm variable resistor to stop the meter exceeding it's current rating and halting it going over to stop block.

     After modification, to adjust; when tank is full, place panel adjuster in the centre, and adjust the modified added variable 22k ohm resistor for full/max. position. That can now be left and any futre adjustments can be done on the panel adjuster.

A Complete Wire Drawing of the interior in the Autohomes Wanderer.

The above two drawings have been incorporated into the drawing below.

The drawing and colouring of the wires I have checked in my own Motorhome. While this is an example of my system, many Motorhomes use a similar wiring arrangement.
You can see from the drawing that the "Caravan" area is electrically isolated while the vehicle is in motion, except for the fridge.  This is to ensure that any intermittent uses of the electrics while travelling will not affect the ABS on the brakes.  A steady flow of current to the fridge is not an intermittent flow and is not considered a hazard to the brakes while in motion.
The fridge has constant current to it when using the 12volts from the battery as the thermostat adjustment is isolated by default.

The Spot Lamps and TV Amp,  in the drawing is an extra modification.

The ZIG charger to the Autohomes Wanderer Leisure battery supplements the battery voltage and was built in from new.
See:
ZIG ELECTRONICS LTD SAXON BUS PARK STOKE PRIOR BROMSGROVE B60 4AD 015 2757 7800

[Recent information has suggested that ZIG move their workshops regularly, so the above information must be checked]

Note how the charger is connected to the wiring, and  also the method of fitting fuses to the Leisure Battery. These fuses are fitted within inches [Centimetres] of the battery terminal. This is to ensure that should the wiring be short circuited between the battery and the Control Panel a fire hazard is averted.
If these are not fitted, the Motorhome builder's 25 Amp fuse before the engine compartment relays will not protect the vehicle.

Another important feature of the Motorhome wiring is the EARTH cable to the chassis. This should be connected by the coachbuilder and a label attatched to the fixing point, just as one would see in the home; 'Safety electrical connection, do not remove' This wire usually a 4mm Green & Yellow cable which goes back to the electical mains fittings. This can be seen on the drawing attached to the Hook up point.

Leisure Battery

There can be considerable evaporation at 35 degrees .......

Don't forget to regularly check the electrolyte level of your leisure battery, especially during a long stay in hot climates as there can be considerable evaporation at 35 degrees. It happened to us, when we disconnected from our hookup at Oliva on the Costa Blanca we wondered why the battery condition indicator showed a problem. 3.5 litres of water later we knew the reason. Thankfully the battery is now OK but it could have been ruined.

The information above came from Roger's site:
http://www.a-motorhome-on-tour.co.uk/asp/message.htm

           An Email from a reader of this site who had lost his fuse holder on the Zig panel set me thinking of a solution, as he was unable to obtain a new one.

            I have come across this problem often in the course of my work. Mechanics would take out the fuse holder to stop the radio equipment from discharging the battery while vehicles were in the workshop. They could never find them afterwards!

            Often this vehicle would be required urgently with the transmitting equipment also working. I found myself with no spares very often. My solution was as sketch below.

No.1. solution is to take a wire from a fused position and place it on the faulty fuse. Then increase the fuse rating slightly, for example from 10 Amps to 15Amps.

No.2. solution is to solder an in line fuse onto the faulty fuse holder.

          I have illustrated the sketch as it would be found at the back of the ZIG panel.

The above could be considered emergency get you going repairs.

Maplins the electronics supplier in the UK, have a wide variety of fuse holders which are complete and could be fitted in the positions of the faulty fuse holder.
See their web site: www.maplin.co.uk

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Graham
To: brian[at]ourwanderer.org.uk 
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 10:30 PM

Subject: wildwind

Hello brian, 
I must be copying you we sold our eclipse and got a 1998 wildwind also made by Autohomes.

I have a question for you; Will your interior lights in the Motorhome work with the engine running??  My ones won't.

Is this a safety measure or has a fuse gone. I wondered if the power surge to the zig is to much with engine running. My other motor homes I  have owned, i.e. Bedford Orlando and the Eclipse all managed to have lights on with engine running. The model I have has a 2.5ltr Diesel engine, where the others were petrol.  Perhaps you could muse this over and come up with an answer for me. 

 Funny thing is you put us in touch with the traffic club and now we have changed models to.

Regards 

GRAHAM

Hi Graham,

Sorry I've not replied sooner, nice to hear from you again. 

We have just returned form a 5 weeks tour of France Spain and Portugal.

Congratulations on your purchase of the "wildwind."  I fancied that one myself.

Regarding your problem, you don't have a problem.  

The Common market introduced a ruling that all electrical equipment extra to the a car/van electrics must be turned off during the time the vehicle is motion. This is to ensure that electrics not tested by the van manufacturer will not interfere with the ABS electronic brakes or other electrics. 

To ensure the Motorhome complies, the Coachbuilder has introduced relays which turn all electrics off when travelling, except to the fridge which takes 12volts from this relay to run it.

You will find the relay drawings and explanation in my web site: www.ourwanderer.org/wan8.htm

The Elddis Eclipse was manufactured before this ruling came into force.

I have thought about changing this system in my Motorhome as it does not have ABS brakes! On second thoughts better not as it could affect the Insurance.

Keep in touch Graham,

Best Regards, 

Brian.

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Ian

To: b.b.walters@btinternet.com

Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 4:25 PM

Subject: Battery Chargers

 Hi Brian,

I have been meaning to drop you a line ever since we got back but never quite  got round to it. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip? I'm sure you did.

We were sorry we did not see you both again at Burgos. We had a super last couple of weeks before arriving home.

I still have not fixed my awning but I'm thinking about it! 

 What do you know about Battery Chargers Brian? My Leisure Battery seems to  have just gone flat. I know I can replace it or get it charged up but I am  wondering how I can tell if the automatic on board charger is working or not. The so called Instruction and Maintenance Manual is worse than useless (Why do we  put up with these things!)

Well, Brian I am not much good at writing letters but keep in touch, let us  know what you are doing.

Best regards 

Ian

Hi Ian,

What a surprise, I never thought we would hook up again.

When we got to Burgos my wife wanted a supermarket, we got to the one at the entrance to the town.  What a place! every thing there.

Coming out we got lost, so took the main road out and had a night on the A1? which run's parallel with the Motorway.

Regarding your problem with the leisure battery have a look at my website: www.ourwanderer.org/wan8.htm there you will find I have given some information and drawings you could work with.

But to reply to your query, First check the charger at it's source. the reason I mention this, is because the test I will suggest depends on your charger being functional.

Hook-up the mains electric to your van.

Try and ensure that the charger is OK, are there any indicator lights on.

Check the fuse to the charger. Can you get at the terminals, check the voltages out from it.

Can you check if the mains is going into the charger.

If all is OK.

Take off the positive terminal of the leisure battery.

Check for any voltage on the terminal taken off , should be about 13.8Volts.

If you have no volts then the mains charger has either been turned off, blown a fuse, or could be faulty.

Replace the battery terminal to the leisure.

If it has a voltage but drops down when you place the terminal it on the battery terminal, then the charger is faulty.

Check the voltage when the terminal has been replaced. make note of it.

Take off the hook-up cable.

Start up your engine.

Check the voltage at the positive terminal, it should increase above the previous noted voltage.

If it does not then the charge from the alternator is not reaching the leisure battery.

Turn off the engine.

Make checks in side the engine compartment. Try and print the drawings from my web site, and have them beside you.

The next check is the cable from the starter battery to the two switch relays.

An explanation of these devices can be seen in my web site.

On my Motorhome at this point, there is a fuse which controls the voltage to the caravan area. this also supplies the charge voltage to the leisure battery.

On my previous Motorhome the fuse holder had melted, the plastic could not  take the current.

Using my drawings you must check these relays and their functions to ensure they operate when cold and when the engine is running

Best Regards,

Brian & Avril