😓 12 VOLT ISSUES in an 18 year old caravan 😡

[@TubeSnoman]

i have never sat on my lounge and been yelling (quietly) at the TV saying it's the battery as much before.. Had the same battery years ago and after a few years it did the same, showed fully charged and connected the fridge and boom - flat. Loved the video cause you show exactly the problem solving without cutting out all the tedius bits.. Keep up the great work

[@Explore_oz]

Bloody 12 volt systems are a pain in the butt aren't they haha. Since replacing the battery thankfully so far we haven't had another issue. Glad you liked the style of video too, there was plenty we wanted to cut out but figured may as well show everyone what's actually going on and how we sort it out. Sorry for making you quietly yell at your TV hahahah

[@Elizabeth-k5u2v]

A 100ah AGM battery will not run a compressor fridge for more that a couple of hours and it will be down to 50% charge. You shouldnt run and AGM battery below 50% otherwise you will wreck the battery. If you haven’t disposed of your old battery yet, you need to put it on 240v AC Battery charger for half a day or so and see if it holds a charge. From experience, we had 375 😅watts of solar and 3 x115 ah AGM batteries and we could only free camp for approx. 2 days with a compressor fridge before having to recharge the batteries on 240v power. A compressor fridge is very hungry.

[@MurrayHands]

You are doing a great job ol mate diagnosing the issue

[@Explore_oz]

Thanks legend, always good fun figuring out these issues haha

[@nicolefarren2960]

This was probably the realest (is that even a word, it is now) video yet. Looooved it. I know those who are not tourers will have little sympathy for anything that goes wrong in our lifestyle but you’re right Al, it does get ya down a bit when anything isn’t working smoothly. I think I was yelling at the screen a few times, vibing on your frustrations with you 😂 I’m really hoping if you upgraded your battery charger you went for a lithium compatible unit. I think we run the Redarc BCDC charger. We’re yet to do a lithium upgrade but we’re running 2x 140amp batteries waiting for them to run their lives out, been three years and still going strong. I reckon consider the upgrade guys and consider someone else doing it. Put that plea out again for someone to help ya’s out, you never know your luck when you have such a loving lot of viewers who adore ya’s! ♥️ Good luck guys (oh and good luck with the awning, what a fabulous job that is 😜)

[@energypositiv-il4wh]

Nicole you flogged my Cadbury from the fridge and I want it back 😡

[@Explore_oz]

Realest is a word now 👍. Sometimes we do need to show the not so good or “down days” because we all have them and just because we are travelling doesn’t mean we are always happy. We haven’t yet upgraded the battery charger but we definitely will look at getting a lithium compatible unit. Fingers crossed the 2 batteries hold out for you guys for a bit longer. We might need that luck for the awning. Have you had to replace yours by chance?

[@nicolefarren2960]

@@Explore_oz we love you two realest’s 🤩 Looking forward to the day you have a more improved 12v system that matches your needs more. Never had to do our awning (thank god, we hear it’s a fiddly one). I’m hoping that’s an up & coming video as we’re considering getting new canvas from Xtend Outdoors. Our China made Dometic shit is doing our heads in.

[@Explore_oz]

You think you’re looking forward to us having a better 12v system? So are we 😂😂😂😂 I’ve watched a few videos and spoken to a few people about how to replace the awning and you hit the nail on the head, we are going to be going it a crack ourselves 😂. If you end up wanting to replace yours, let us know. We got ours through our friends at Xtend and I’m sure they would be happy to help you guys out too. They have a few places around oz that you can pickup from 👍🙌

[@nicolefarren2960]

@@Explore_oz fantastic. We love them at Xtend!

[@sue-ellenskinner954]

Well done guys, hopefully things are smoother sailing now. If you have any issues as you head north I absolutely recommend Matt from Open Circuit auto electrics in Port Hedland. We are in Humpty Doo and got some batteries via Matt and he was at the end of the phone when we had issues installing them and getting our 12v system working again. Also if you come this way shout out we have 5 acres for you to park on

[@Explore_oz]

Fingers crossed you’re right 😂. Smooth sailing sounds absolutely fantastic right now 🙏. If things are still not working right when we get towards hedland we’ll look him up. We’ve been to Humpty Doo a few times, always a good time there 👌. Next time we come through we’ll pop in and say hi for sure.

[@kiaoraable]

I have just changed my battery system over to Lithium and didn’t have to change a thing, used itechworld all my chargers etc worked with the lithium, I did ask them first before going ahead and they rest assured they would after I told them what I’ve got. Good luck

[@Explore_oz]

The Itechworld gear looks pretty good, but unfortunately because of the age of our van and the solar system the whole system would need to be replaced. But that's ok, we will get there one day.

[@Lainiefj]

As they say s#*t happens but you work together and make the best of the down stuff and that's just what you did, but from a West Aussie that rain that was bugging you was soooooo appreciated. We've had no rain for 8 months so when the first cold front hit I just loved it 🌧🌩😄

[@Explore_oz]

Oh we know you would have been loving that rain, and there is more coming at the moment. Bring it on!

[@ArtZoneTravels]

Another great video demonstrating how life on the road is not always plain sailing 😁 We totally relate to that yearning for a fire 🔥 after a long long wait. Hurry up and come north please ☝️🤩

[@Explore_oz]

And we still haven't had a fire.....Think you're right though, time to head north and we can sit around a fire with you guys drinking port!

[@garycooper8550]

Loving your videos. We are full time on the road . Caretaking. Working . Can relate

[@Explore_oz]

Thank you so much 😊. Sounds like you guys are living your best life 👌🙏

[@VaughanMunro-js4nr]

Another Great, honest episode. Life on the road, things can and do go wrong. Electrical issues can be hard to solve. I've had 12v batteries die without warning. At least it wasn't the Fridge as well. Safe Travels.

[@Explore_oz]

You’re 100% right, things certainly can and do go wrong 😂. Very happy it wasn’t the fridge as well, and so far… it’s still running good 🙏

[@Elizabeth-k5u2v]

Hi. Just watching your blog….how come you are running yr fridge on 12v when stationary instead of LPG

[@Explore_oz]

Previous owners took the 3 way fridge out and replaced it with a two way fridge so no gas.

[@whitedog7897]

Good vids guys. What was the name of the Lake you camped at?

[@Explore_oz]

If I remember correctly this was at Preston Beach. Which lake are you referring to?

[@AndrewTinWA]

Sounds like you’re in a little rut. Don’t worry, brighter things ahead. Good on you for both mucking in and problem solving. Just found you and subscribed, I’ll go back and catch myself up.

[@Explore_oz]

Thankfully we have found a way out of that rut and everything is looking much brighter. Thanks so much for the kind words too, it means a lot to us 👌. Cheers for subscribing.

[@shaunmoller2997]

Great keep un pushing live is a journey

[@Explore_oz]

Life sure is a journey and each one of us lives a different one. Cheers for watching 👍

[@paultabone2010]

If you get lithium batteries you will be 100% more out of your battery, 12.3 volts that means the battery is flat. And lithium batteries you will get 90% more life out of it , like more days if you have bad weather 🌦️ it’s good to see you having a go and checking everything, we all go through this at one time. Have a great week.🍺🍺🍷🍷

[@darrelwright7871]

That was a great honest video, so sorry about the 12v issues, you guys are so good together you made me laugh especially in BCF as you went to reach for the fishing rods you received a polite No and gentle push forward , 🤣🤣 just made me laugh , you are both awesome 👍 cheers Darrel

[@Explore_oz]

Thanks so much legend! All I wanted to do was take a look at the fishing rods haha. Hopefully we can keep you laughing in all our future videos :D

[@OurOutbackJourney]

Great video. We are in the same boat! Currently in Bindoon, heading back to Perth tomorrow as the car gearbox needs to be rebuilt, so two weeks in a caravan park, plus $$$$$! Not an ideal start. We had also planned to be north and warmer right now, not stuck in the van in cold and very windy conditions - although the sun is out at the moment, so that's a bonus. We recently had a quote to upgrade to a complete lithium setup with an extra solar panel, so we can run aircon off-grid, and it was around $15K!!! Not something we can afford to do now, or possibly ever. Hopefully, prices come down in the future 🤞

[@Explore_oz]

Noooo I thought you already had the gearbox worked on? Did it break again, or just ongoing work at the moment? $15k is a lot of money, but it could be well worth it for the extra comfort 😂

[@OurOutbackJourney]

@@Explore_oz we had it fixed to a point where we can drive, but it still needs work. Going in tomorrow for a total rebuild, new gear lever, and torque controller. Not much change from nearly $8k 😥 and that's not including what's already been done. Also have to have the roof of our van resealed, as the torrential rain over the last couple of weeks has revealed a leak. It's a bit one thing after the other, at the moment!!!

[@JasonChrimes-bt6fy]

What's a 4wd for. Bush, mud, beach, exploring. Rain, no problem. Can even swim it, then refloat it. Enjoy, and thanks for the video.

[@Explore_oz]

Right on 👍

[@IntegrityProduce]

Presently in Victoria waiting for a stone stomper to be delivered so we can head towards the cape in Qld but you are about 5-10km from our house at the moment so if you need a free camp its available with power lol but good luck and wish you happy traveling ps go to the Mundaring Weir hotel and surrounding park as very pretty down there.

[@Explore_oz]

Enjoy the cape! Thank you for offering up your house. We had a look at Mundaring Weir and were surprised we were able to walk across it.

[@MrOffdaze]

Did you plug the 240 back in cause you unplugged to isolate the battery

[@MrOffdaze]

That’s why 240 charger wasn’t working 🙄

[@Explore_oz]

Originally had it unplugged, realised it wasn’t plugged in so plugged it back in but it still wasn’t charging the battery 👍

[@Explore_oz]

Originally had it unplugged, realised it wasn’t plugged in so plugged it back in but it still wasn’t charging the battery 👍

[@jennybeausang683]

Originally your van would have had a three way fridge hence those fridge vents….. you could easily block off that lower one to help reduce all the dust ingress in the back, the upper vent should be enough to let the heat out. Safe travels

[@Explore_oz]

You're 100 % right. We don't know how old the current two way fridge is, but its certainly no the original three way. Next time we stop for a little bit we will be looking to block off the lower external vent for sure. Will help lots for sure. Just need to figure out what's going to be the best way about it. Any suggestions?

[@jimwhitfield6089]

Don't second guess yourself, great video, well done with your problem solving, I would start at the battery, unfortunately you do need a load tester, but you proved that by the battery swap, if the fault was with the fridge as suspected, it would probably blow a fuse, because of the high current draw. Again pointing to a faulty battery that is probably faulty and short circuiting internally, especially after corrugated tracks. Don't believe everything you hear, read about what you need with lithium, they can be cheap, and function without the need to upgrade. We have a 2007 Coromal, running a lithium, using a stock 240v charger, any lithium ion with a good battery management system will be ok.

[@gnome4x480]

You went the wrong way round the country, guys! We could have had a blast fixing this up for you :p

[@gnome4x480]

You wouldn’t really need to change any cabling if you upgraded to Lithium, but will set you back around $1000 on a battery, decent DCDC and MPPT controller. The wires will just connect as you’ve got them :p

[@Explore_oz]

Thanks always a possibility haha. Somehow I don't think this will be the last time we have any electrical issues!

[@Explore_oz]

I'll take a photo later today and send it to you. Then you will see the amazing job of wiring that someone else has done. You will then understand why I would want to change the wiring etc. Its bloody horrible hahaha

[@petercoggan8615]

Hi don’t worry about lithium you can get 3 AGMs for the price of one lithium, why didn’t you get a bigger agm like 120amp . That was a dear price for the agm battery you bought.

[@Explore_oz]

3 AGMs would be too heavy for us and probably push us over our GVM 😂. We went with the 100amp because it fits in the same area without having to redesign anything. Not much of a choice in regard to price, but if we had of researched a bit more we could have probably found a cheaper one 👍

[@petercoggan8615]

@@Explore_oz No , not 3 together, but one every 4/5 years or so

[@Bigcountry_littlelegs]

If you have the budget to add a 2nd agm battery do it. Add it in parallel and this will help the battery last longer as it wont be cycling down as low in voltage

[@Explore_oz]

That's an easy way about it for sure. Simple way to double the usable amp hours and easy to install.

[@raybourne5781]

Well….. in one way you kept a few days occupied, would of been quicker to drop in at any battery retailer and they would do a load test for free

[@Explore_oz]

Haha that’s true. Unfortunately it was a weekend and all the shops were shut 👌

[@cathyr1192]

A fridge isnt meant to run on batteries for more than a couple of hours mate Gas or mains power They draw far to much for batteries even with solar in full sun

[@Explore_oz]

This fridge is a two way fridge, not three way so it's all good to run for extended periods on 12v.

[@johnwest964]

Nothing ever goes as it should on the road. Lithium is the way to go, I just changed everything as it needed replacing for lithium compatible devices, Solar Controller, DCDC Charger, etc and then finally the battery.

[@Explore_oz]

You're 100% right, but that's why we love our time on the road haha. I like the way you upgraded your system, smart way to do it. Bit by bit, and save the expensive battery to last.

[@leona8150]

Kings 200ah and renogy dcdc with solar input is a cheap reliable way to go.

[@Explore_oz]

Simple, cheap and easy. Sound's like us to a T hahaha.

[@MareeForman]

Guys I hope things improve for you soon. 🤞🙂

[@Explore_oz]

So do we hahaha. It’s ok though honestly. These things happen and we will be all sorted soon enough, in the meantime we just sit back and have a laugh 😂

[@glandanit]

You don't need to change anything if going lithium. The old AGM charging system will work with lithium. Try Itech lithium batteries.

[@Explore_oz]

Unfortunately the system in this van is that old it has no chance of charging lithium.

[@FNQOutdoorAdventures]

Jess be glad I'm not taking Alan to the bcf in townsville. Largest one in Australia 😅. You'll end up broke.

[@Explore_oz]

Ohhhhh it’s a date!

[@FNQOutdoorAdventures]

@@Explore_oz 2 stories of pure bliss

[@Explore_oz]

@@FNQOutdoorAdventures Sounds perfect!

[@treeman3663]

Take the hints time for a new fridge

[@Explore_oz]

Probably, but at the moment it's still going strong haha

[@markcarlile5209]

Is it a 3 way? If yes it should be on gas not 12 volt when at camp. They draw up to 15 amps on 12 v. Not designed for that. Okay on 240v.

[@Explore_oz]

Nope, not a three way fridge 👍

[@Mick_4591]

Small compressor Fridge

[@Explore_oz]

It sure is :)

[@Mick_4591]

Switch the fridge over to gas

[@Explore_oz]

Two way fridge, not three way :D ;)

[@DuncanJones-hh1ex]

Are you going to go lithium capable when you upgrade your charger? The mrs wants to know what jess uses on her hair. That was all she was interested in from this vid 🤦‍♂️

[@nicolefarren2960]

😂😂😂 that’s fair, Jess does have really nice hair!

[@Explore_oz]

When we replace the 240V charger we will definitely make sure it is lithium capable. Although it isn’t a priority because we try to avoid power at caravan parks. As for Jess’ hair… the only reason why it looked good was because we were in a caravan park and she was able to wash it. No special products are used, just a very cheap and nasty shampoo and conditioner. 🤣

[@Explore_oz]

Awww thank you so much Nicole☺️

[@energypositiv-il4wh]

Beautiful Woman ❤️❤️❤️ To bad you already have a boyfriend

[@Explore_oz]

😂😂🤣🤣 I’ll let her know your thoughts…