more goldstream camper 'electrics' questions
Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 18, 2011 at 11:31
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avidcamper
Hi all,
Still trying to figure out our (used) Goldstream Crown camper electrics. Getting closer, but need a little input from any other Goldstream owners.
First question is in regards to the red & white dial (isolater switch?) located in the boot. What is its exact function? Is it to do with charging the batteries, or is its function to isolate the fridge from the batteries as per the nominated controls - i.e. 'off', 'car battery', 'trailer', 'both'? (We suspect it is to do with isolating the fridge rather than charging the batteries).
There are two switches located side by side on the right, low down in the step
well ..... and they don't appear to do anything! Can anyone shed some light as to what they would be for?
Does the circuit breaker need to be switched on when using
battery power? Or only when connected to 240V? And should it be switched off before packing the camper down?
Is there an overide switch to control
battery power to the lights - a precautionary measure to ensure when packing down a 'flick of the switch' will make sure no lights are left on?
Finally - has anyone had a solar panel charger control unit installed by Goldstream in their camper? If so, do you know what 'brand' it is? Did it come with any information, or a user-manual? So far we have been unable to glean any info on the one in our trailer.
Thankiing you in advance for any snippets you can share with us in our 'detective' work!
avidcamper
Reply By: Member - henpecked - Tuesday, Oct 18, 2011 at 13:30
Tuesday, Oct 18, 2011 at 13:30
G'Day Avid
Re the rotary switch in the boot. Don't really know its function but when I took delivery of
mine the bloke said to use "both" which I do. My fridge will only operate on DC from the car, not the van battery. You have the gas or AC option when parked.
The 2 switches at the step
well: The inboard one is the main 12v switch while the outboard switch operates the outside light.
My CB is on all the time. It is there should a AC fault occur.
Can't help you at all with solar.
AnswerID:
467946
Follow Up By: avidcamper - Tuesday, Oct 18, 2011 at 15:29
Tuesday, Oct 18, 2011 at 15:29
Forgot a very important piece of information - our fridge is compression type - Waeco 110 litre - does not operate on gas. So we need to be careful it doesn't pull power from the car battery when parked ............ if we leave the trailer hitched (overnight stay, for example) ........
FollowupID:
742100
Reply By: Member - Andrew C (WA) - Tuesday, Oct 18, 2011 at 13:34
Tuesday, Oct 18, 2011 at 13:34
Isolator switch in the boot is exactly that allows you to select to use van batteries, car battery or both and also to turn off power to the 12 volt system so when van is packed down to make sure nothing is left on turn switch to the off position. While travelling turn switch to car and you will charge van battery while you travel when set up turn to van to use on board power. (I leave
mine set to both all the time never change even when the van is packed down you just need to make sure all the lights are turned off at the main switch)
1 day before we travel I connect to 240 power at
home this just makes sure I have a full charge on the batteries I have also added a second battery just to give us longer battery life.
the two switches low down by the step 1 is for the out side light the other is the main switch for the cabin lights, turns off all inside lights including bunk lights if you have them. make sure this is switched off when the van is packed down this allows you to have the isolator switch turned to car to charge battery in the van without the inside lights overheating
the circuit breaker is for the 240 volt system only
fridge is not run off the van battery it will only run on 12 volt if you have a hot wire connected to your trailer plug on you vehicle I think but dont quote me its the 7 pin on the trailer plug.
sorry dont have
solar power on our Goldstream
hope this make sense
,
Andrew
AnswerID:
467947
Follow Up By: avidcamper - Tuesday, Oct 18, 2011 at 15:37
Tuesday, Oct 18, 2011 at 15:37
As in my previous follow up message .... our fridge is 12v or 240v only, not gas.
It does run off the trailer batteries, and, I assume, the car (we might experiment with that red dial in various positions to make sure).
So we are doing our best to make sure we don't run out of power - especially since we are '
bush camping types' so won't have regular access to AC power.
You have clarified the purpose of the two switches down by the step - thankyou! Now we'll need to figure out why they don't seem to be working - will try them again (we're getting closer to being familiar with everything thanks to everyone's help!).
FollowupID:
742102
Reply By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, Oct 18, 2011 at 18:02
Tuesday, Oct 18, 2011 at 18:02
I have a Goldstream, please see in line below.
First question is in regards to the red & white dial (isolater switch?) located in the boot. What is its exact function? Is it to do with charging the batteries, or is its function to isolate the fridge from the batteries as per the nominated controls - i.e. 'off', 'car battery', 'trailer', 'both'? (We suspect it is to do with isolating the fridge rather than charging the batteries).
>The fridge is seperate - see below. The Isolator switch will connect all other electrics to the car battery line ( probably through an anderson plug), or the house battery, both or none. You would usually set it to both when using the camper or driving along, and "none" when in storage.
There are two switches located side by side on the right, low down in the step
well ..... and they don't appear to do anything! Can anyone shed some light as to what they would be for?
>The one near the door is for the outside light, the other one is a master for the internal lights.
Does the circuit breaker need to be switched on when using
battery power? Or only when connected to 240V? And should it be switched off before packing the camper down?
>It's only for 240V, I just leave it on all the time.
Is there an overide switch to control
battery power to the lights - a precautionary measure to ensure when packing down a 'flick of the switch' will make sure no lights are left on?
>Yep see above, these are the ones near the door!!!!
Finally - has anyone had a solar panel charger control unit installed by Goldstream in their camper? If so, do you know what 'brand' it is? Did it come with any information, or a user-manual? So far we have been unable to glean any info on the one in our trailer.
>I supplied my own, sorry.
>The fridge is wired up totally seperately if it is a 3 way. It is connected to pin 2 of the 7 way plug. ( normally the reverse pin ). You should connect +12V through a relay to this pin in your vehicle so it is on when the ignition is on. Like most manufacturers, Goldstream use thin cable on this and you only get 10 - 11v at the fridge so it will never get really cold when on 12V. Replace these wires with 8 or 6 AWG wire in your vehicle, and camper and it will nearly freeze when on 12V. I also removed the fridge, packed the sides with insulation and it is a ton better.
Hope this helps.
AnswerID:
467986
Follow Up By: avidcamper - Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 09:31
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at 09:31
Thankyou for your very helpful reply, Boobook. We are now a long way into unravelling the 'mysteries' in our camper trailer - thanks to you and all the others who have been offering advice, answering our questions, and pointing us in the direction of expert help.
Big thanks to all!
Cheers,
avidcamper
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