Advice needed, charger, control panel

[gavenny1]

Hi All, after some advice, we have a Hobby Vantana van conversion 2018 model, we had some issues a couple of weeks ago when on a couple of sites, when plugged in everything on the control panel showed we were connected and voltage was up showing batteries were charging a couple of days later the fridge stopped working saying voltage had dropped below 12 and checking control panel showed same, on going into settings in battery menu a click was heard and fan for battery charger kicked in. This continued to happen for next week every 6 or so hours look at panel click settings hear battery charger kick in. After trip we took it back to the caravan dealer we bought it off they kept it a few days said both leisure batteries tested good and everything is charging. We are now in Portugal over the last week a couple of times I've looked at panel and noticed 12v fridge is not on or electric water heater when plugged in has stopped, then last night heard a click noticed control panel is rebooting and lights went out nothing running off 12v working including water pump, the van was plugged into mains but this happened all through the night and today every 20-30 minutes, in bed you would hear the click from the dometic ca360 charger under driver's seat and see the light from control panel rebooting. Has anyone any ideas I'm thinking problem with the charger mostly but could it be the control panel? Van mains sockets stay working when this happens but all 12v, fridge , water pump cut out. Thanks for your help

[Derek Uzzell]

Welcome to the Out&AboutLive forums, Steve.

 

I’m pretty sure your Vantana has Hobby’s CI-BUS electrical management system with TFT control panel (images attached below). This sophisticated system was discussed here in 2017/2018 when its complexity and the need for expert knowledge became apparent, particularly where trouble-shooting was concerned.

 

https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Newbie-seeking-guidance-reassurance-please-/46721/

 

https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/search/query.asp?action=search&searchforumid=all&keywords=hobby&author=zafira&days=&Submit=Search

 

You may need to involve a Hobby dealership familiar with the CI-BUS to get this sorted out.

 

 

 

[gavenny1]

Thanks for advice that is the system, got it booked with a local Dutch guy on Tuesday here in Portugal, but I'm worried it's complicated was going to drive 450 to malaga for Hobby dealer but they shut last year. Fingers crossed for Tuesday

[gavenny1]

For anyone in Portugal, Campervan service Portugal are fantastic sorted out electrics problem straight away. He used to work for Westfalia campervans and is 1st class not fantastic English but his wife is fluent really would recommend them for all sorts of jobs .

[spirou]

Any update on what the problem was and how they sorted it?

[gavenny1]

Hi yes, when we bought the van we asked the dealer if they could fit a second leisure battery which is under the passenger seat , this had been wired from the the 1st battery but only had a 20amp fuse which had melted , the original battery had a 60amp fuse in a black case and our Dutch saviour has rewired a matching fuse onto the second battery. He also said the cable on the battery under the driver's seat was lose leading to our charger clicking on and off all the time and the control panel rebooting. He said he's 99% sure he's fixed the issues and after a couple of days of long drives down to Seville and running off batteries all looking good.