Our first trip in the new year was supposed to be with our Twinnie friends, Maria and Jane, in their van, Arty. He is a brand new Adria Twin 640 SGX and the plan was to spend a couple of days away together near Stratford upon Avon. However, we found out on January 15 that the domestic batteries didn’t appear to be holding their charge. Not great as these power everything in the habitation part of the van. We tried charging them overnight but still nothing. Popped up to Hitchin Leisure Services who said that it could be more than just the batteries so needed to book it in for the following week.

So, the following Monday January 22, we dropped her off and were hoping that it was just a “simple” job and we would have her back for our planned few days away. The batteries are under the passenger seat so the whole thing needs to be dismantled to get to them. A few days later we get a phone call. The batteries are fine but they aren’t sure what’s stopping the charge getting to the van. They thought it maybe the EBL which is a chunky fuse box that feeds everything from the batteries and solar panel to the 12v appliances and sockets in the van. They were about to send it away the following week when they noticed that the battery isolator switch had stopped working despite being “on”. It was something that had already been changed under warranty so goodness only knows how it’s failed again. Anyway, it appears to all now be working but we want to test it out with an overnight stay before embarking on any long trips.

By the way, as a footnote, we went away with Maria and Jane but stayed in a cottage on site.