Sargent EC30 - Vehicle Battery Issues

[PJ78]

Hi
No issues until this weekend when I inadvertently flattened the vehicle battery by running my Starlink system from the dashboard USB socket, not realising that the shore power was not charging the battery (breaker had tripped)
Now the Sargent EC30 is not showing a battery voltage or providing power when in the vehicle battery switch position.
Leisure switch position all working.
When connected to shore power, the display shows a voltage.
Immediately after disconnecting the shore power, the display (when in the vehicle battery switch position) briefly shows a quick view of numbers starting at 5.x , counting down and then nothing. This repeats a couple of times. Unfortunately I can't attach a video of this behaviour.

Could anyone suggest where I start my troubleshooting? I have reached out to my installer, but he's not available at the moment.

I'm based in Cumbria, could anyone recommend a business or individual who could help diagnose the issue?

Thanks
Paul

 

[kipperman]

Ok some questions to help diagnose
1) Presumably you have recharged the vehicle battery. Does the van start OK now and appear normal with no persistent engine management lights on?(Completely flattening a lead acid battery can damage it irreversibly)
2) What actual voltage does the display show when connected to shore power and switched to the van battery?
3) What voltage does the display show when on shore power and switched to the leisure battery?

The instructions suggest that there should be a 15A fuse in series with the vehicle battery +ve to EC30 connector 3. I'd be looking to find and test that first

 

[PJ78]

Ok some questions to help diagnose
1) Presumably you have recharged the vehicle battery. Does the van start OK now and appear normal with no persistent engine management lights on?(Completely flattening a lead acid battery can damage it irreversibly)
2) What actual voltage does the display show when connected to shore power and switched to the van battery?
3) What voltage does the display show when on shore power and switched to the leisure battery?

The instructions suggest that there should be a 15A fuse in series with the vehicle battery +ve to EC30 connector 3. I'd be looking to find and test that first

Thanks Kipperman - appreciate the response.

1. The vehicle battery is fully recharged and there are no engine management lights. There was sufficient charge to attempt a start, dashboard lights and radio were still working - so not completely flat. We drove 150 miles with several stops with no further issues.
2. The display shows 14.7 when connected to shore power and switched to van battery.
3. The display shows 14.6 when connected to shore power and switched to leisure battery.

 

[kipperman]

These voltages show that the charger is working OK - when connected to shore power and van battery I suspect the unit is simply telling you what the charger voltage is because there is no connection to the vehicle battery.

I would therefore go with one of two possibilities:

1) No connection between vehicles battery +ve and the EC30 unit. Probably the most likely and I would start at the vehicle battery itself, looking for a single lead leading to the +ve terminal. Hopefully it might even be red! There might be an inline fuse on this as well. If so, check the fuse either with a multimeter or just simply by looking at it). Wiggle the wire to make sure it is not corroded and that the connection to the terminal is secure.

2) Internal fault with the EC30 - a possibility, but less likely than the above.


This is all assuming wiring is visible - your converter might have chosen a different connection from the EC30 to the vehicle battery, in which case he/she would be in the best position to help.

If you are not sure, post a picture of the wiring around the +ve vehicle battery terminal.

HTH

 

[PJ78]

These voltages show that the charger is working OK - when connected to shore power and van battery I suspect the unit is simply telling you what the charger voltage is because there is no connection to the vehicle battery.

I would therefore go with one of two possibilities:

1) No connection between vehicles battery +ve and the EC30 unit. Probably the most likely and I would start at the vehicle battery itself, looking for a single lead leading to the +ve terminal. Hopefully it might even be red! There might be an inline fuse on this as well. If so, check the fuse either with a multimeter or just simply by looking at it). Wiggle the wire to make sure it is not corroded and that the connection to the terminal is secure.

2) Internal fault with the EC30 - a possibility, but less likely than the above.


This is all assuming wiring is visible - your converter might have chosen a different connection from the EC30 to the vehicle battery, in which case he/she would be in the best position to help.

If you are not sure, post a picture of the wiring around the +ve vehicle battery terminal.

HTH

 

[PJ78]

I've found the fuse! Located under the drivers seat. Made good use of my camera phone and filmed where I couldn't see.
15amp fuse had blown. Replaced and now all working!

Thanks for your help!

 

[kipperman]

Good news! That's a decent and well protected installation so kudos to your installer.

 

[prog99]

Mine moans about a flat vehicle battery from time to time too. I may have fixed it by reseating the fuse for the ignition on the main sargent box. But I will check out another fuse box the installers put in for their integrity (thanks for the tip)