TV or battery issue?

campingkitty

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Subject:

TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #1

Hi all, just a query re our campervan TV.
We have a 06 motorhome and bought a tv for it last year for the kids to watch as we are on route.
However, it works perfectly well when we are hooked up to EHU but only lasts approx 5 mins on battery power, and then, not only turns off but seems to drain the battery power as well. Battery only recharges when we plug in to EHU again. Are we doing something wrong? Shouldn’t the tv work without EHU? We,re all for the outdoor life but we like our Tv downtime too. It is a 12v & 240v dvd combi. You guys sorted out a fridge/carbon monoxide alarm problem for us last year and so hoping ye might be able to advise on this issue now.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

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eirebus

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #2

I think your battery is worn out , does anything else flatten it or are you mainly on EHU

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campingkitty

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #3

Thanks eirebus, that’s what we thought initially and so we purchased a new battery but same thing happening. Only the tv causing problems, fridge, lights etc.. all working fine on battery. Any idea. ?
Thanks.

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Mark&Wendy

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #4

Did it come with its own 12v connector for the 12v socket and what make is the TV.

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mad max

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #5

Are you running a big (1500w or 2000watt) inverter to run the TV?

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baguette

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #6

When you on route the engine alternator should be charging the leisure batteries, so any power being taken by the TV should be compensated for.

A 19" LED tv should only be using about 18 watts (about the same as one brake light bulb), a little more if running a DVD. Batteries in good nick should support that for at least a few hours before showing signs of discharge.

About inverters. For max efficiency, you should only use one just big enough to power the load. Using a 1500 watt inverter to run an 18 watt tv is extremely inefficient

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campingkitty

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #7

Thanks Mark&wendy and mad max,
The make of the tv is a cello & it’s wired directly to the leisure battery.
When we purchased the campervan, the previous owners had a tv in it and we just replaced it with a new one the same way they had it.
We are not using an invertor.
Thanks.

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ntg

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #8

Surely if it is a proper 12v---240v combi then no inverter should be required ,also if your system is running correctly your leisure batteries should be charging while you are driving.

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campingkitty

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #9

It is a proper 12v-240v combi tv.
The leisure battery does charge when we are driving and runs lights, fridge etc when required but not the tv, 5 mins and the tv goes blank. No tv issues when on EHU.
Thanks for all replies everyone, really appreciate it.

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JJF

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #10

I would have your split charge checked. Just because your fridge works when traveling does not mean your leisure battery is being charged (they are powered individually and separately) ... there should be close on 14 volts at the leisure battery terminal when engine is running, but would also want the current (amps) checked and also that you have complete disconnect of circuits when engine is stopped.
As stated by others, TV on 12 volts should have a minimal draw....
Keep us updated .

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campingkitty

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #11

Thank you all so much for your help & advice.will get it checked and report back.
Cheers

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witzend

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #12

Do you leave fridge on 12 volts when parked

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Mark&Wendy

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #13

Kitty, we have the same model and can watch a DVD on the battery no problem. If your van was wired directly for a different tv, that maybe the problem. I accidentally used the 12v lead for the sat box one evening and nothing worked as it should. If you have the cigarette socket lead that came with the cello, then try it to see if it solves the problem.

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Thorn123

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #14

A quick question. Is there a fuse fitted on the wiring to the battery and if so is it less than 5 amps?
To lose so much electric power at 12 volts so quickly is the equivalent of welding metal.
However for a modern tv to consume such electric power is unbelievable because it would blow the circuit boards in the tv, therefore it would not work again.
Alternatively it your tv is wired through a 12 volt cigarette socket, the unfused socket could be short circuiting internally and using the power. A replacement 12 volt cigarette socket can be got in Halfords for €6.
Malcolm

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campingkitty

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #15

No witzend, we don’t, our fridge automatically changes to gas or EHU, whichever is needed when parked.
Thanks mark&wendy,I understand what you mean. I’ll get hubby to check that out too. I didn’t think a different make of tv would cause a problem but you may be right.

Our leisure battery is brand new but we are going to test it again, although we are fairly certain it’s not the cause of the problem.
New tv......new leisure battery.......still a problem!!!

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campingkitty

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #16

Thanks thorn123, our van battery is under the drivers seat, there is a fuse connected to the wiring going to the leisure battery, it is under 5amps.

Our tv is not wired to a cigarette socket, although we do have a 350w invertor but have never used it for the tv. Would that solve our problem??

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witzend

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #17

already suggested

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Thorn123

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #18

I need to think about this one. I will be back in a day or so with an answer.
Malcolm

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campingkitty

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 17.02.2018  ·  #19

Thanks guys really appreciate the help.

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Gavster

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 18.02.2018  ·  #20

I have the same cello tv & can run it directly from the leisure battery through cigarette sockets as they are all live when driving (LHD import).

As a test maybe try a cigarette socket extension lead (eBay) to give you enough length to plug the tv into the dash 12v and see if it drains that less quickly. Or just put the tv on the front seat when parked & try it for a while. If no issues then it points to something to do with the direct wiring from the tv to the leisure battery? I just use the 12v cigarette socket that came with the Cello (via an EU to UK/Ireland cigarette type adapter.draws very little power as other day & I really only use it when parked.

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JoeO'S

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 18.02.2018  ·  #21

Do you have access to a voltmeter? If so can you check battery voltage.
If you can, Check the voltage at the battery again during charging (1) with engine on and (2). with engine off and ehu on to confirm that it is actually receiving a charge from either or both sources of power.
The engine usually charges both engine and leisure batteries and supplies the fridge when running on 12V.
Lights and fridge (depending on fridge type and lights type) may use very little power and work for some time, even after the tv has cut out due to low V.
What kind fridge is in the van?
Is water pump working normally?
Is there a fuse/s near the battery that could be gone and prevent charging from either power source?
Is TV aerial amplifier ok? Could it be faulty? If nothing else shows up can you disconnect the 12v power to it?

If a fully charged battery only supplies a tv for 5 mins, there is a high current flowing somewhere that is draining the battery. High currents can overheat small cables. Safety issues?
Is the tv's 12v supply fused, local to the tv or at charger unit?

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CHAUSSON

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 18.02.2018  ·  #22

Have you another appliance, a phone charger ,radio or something that you can plug into the socket so that you can eliminate the Tv or not.

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Thorn123

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 18.02.2018  ·  #23

There are a couple of things to get checked.
Get the engine battery tested for both voltage and cranking power. An alternator charges the engine battery first and then the leisure battery but this is only achieved when the engine battery reaches its capacity for power and voltage. However if your engine battery has lost 25% of its capacity, the alternator will never fully switch over to charge the leisure battery.
If the tv is wired directly to the MH electrics with no plug or inline fuse used, I reckon that the positive and negative wires are mixed up and is causing the tv to constantly draw power because of reverse polarity.
Malcolm

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campingkitty

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 18.02.2018  ·  #24

Thanks guys,
Hubby is at a match now but is going to spend the rest of the day doing all the necessary checks ye advised. Gavster, We have plugged a 350w invertor in to the cigarette socket to charge IPad etc and no issues. Joe, we don’t have a voltmeter but we can get someone to call tomorrow although we are fairly certain that neither battery is the root of the problem, but best to properly rule that out. The fridge is a dometic, we had the fridge fully serviced last year after our carbon monoxide problem. And you are right joe, my biggest concern is that something unknown to us is causing a problem and may be a safety issue.
Thorn, my husband had also thought that your last point about the positive & negative wires might be the issue. We just replaced the tv after the last owners in the same way, they had no issues!
We are hoping the get this sorted as we are heading up north to the Antrim coast soon and I really want to feel that we are safe (I.e. no safety issues), obviously we can do without the tv but with 3 kids it would be handy.

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TAYLOR.

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 18.02.2018  ·  #25

I would not change the wiring on the tv without checking with an auto electrician

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mad max

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 18.02.2018  ·  #26

I see you are in Co Cork,
If you were in Co Galway id have a look to see if it is something obvious, (im no expert)

Hopefully some Craicer closeby may with a bit of knowledge be able to have a look for you,

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campingkitty

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 18.02.2018  ·  #27

Thanks for the offer mad max.
OK, so we found the lead and plugged the tv in to the cigarette socket and no issues, it played a movie and all was good, then we tried it without the cigarette socket and again no power and leisure battery practically drained again so we recharged it ( a short spin did the trick). Himself checked the wiring and it seems the tv cables are wired in to a dinette light and then both go to the circuit board, as far as he can tell, is that normal? Having said that, if the tv is not switched on, that same light always works with no issues.
So, we may need to get an auto-electrician (I guess )to take a look at this for us. Would an auto electrician understand the workings of a campervan tv/ wiring etc..or would we need to go to a motorhome ‘specialist ‘? We can probably run the tv whilst driving on the cigarette socket, is that what most of you do? I’m sorry if this sounds baffling, it’s all very confusing to me.
For those of you who have put a tv in, how and who did it for you? Thanks again.

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Thorn123

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 18.02.2018  ·  #28

Splicing into a circuit board wiring is dangerous. What is probably happening is that the draw of current for the tv is too great for the circuit board. This is causing the circuit board to shut down closing the main power relay and causing all appliances to turn off. Obviously when the electric hook up is used the stress on the circuit is greatly reduced.
In the wardrobe or under a seat,there is a fuse board with car like blade fuses. Your tv needs to be wired to this point and given its own fuse. There will be also trip switches for 240 volt ( household type).
Any half decent mechanic should be able to do this. It's no different that wiring extra work lamps onto a tractor or a digger.

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witzend

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 18.02.2018  ·  #29

If it's

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mad max

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 18.02.2018  ·  #30

Quote by witzend

If it's working on the cigar plug why not leave it like that, Thats all we used for years

Cigar plug usually pulls from the engine battery,
If that flattens the engine battery you be in a right pickle the following morning

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witzend

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 18.02.2018  ·  #31

vans I've seen

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campingkitty

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 21.03.2018  ·  #32

So, we think we are finally sorted. Got the camper back today from an auto-electrician. He said that parts of the circuit board were “burned out”! Camper is 06 so wear and tear from being a few years old. He replaced what was needed and he also rewired the TV,
Malcolm, it seems you were on the right track with the draw of power from the TV and the circuit board issue. Thanks to all of you for your help and advice.
Looking forward to taking our camper out for its first trip of 2018 this weekend, Antrim here we come. Can’t wait!!!!!
Really appreciate all the help and advice here.

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Thorn123

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Re: TV or battery issue?

 ·  Posted: 21.03.2018  ·  #33

Great new Kitty that you got sorted.
Over the years I had seen alot of lazy and messy 12/24 volt wiring been done. If a little bit of extra time was given to securing a better conection into a vehicle circuits, less stuff would break down.
Malcolm

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