Nothing Turns On - Vandoit Power Is Not Working
Confirmed Issue:
Vandoit power is not working.
Affected Unit
Any Vandoit with an AGM battery system
Summary:
The Vandoit power system does not power anything: Outlets are not working. Lights are not turning on. Buttons do not work. Plugging into shore power and turning the vehicle on does not power or charge the van.
Issue Explanation:
The inverter is a 3 in 1 inverter and is DC controlled/powered. The AGM batteries store DC current. So, when the Vandoit battery system is drained beyond usable power, it does not have power to turn on the inverter to be able to read incoming power. All communication with the Vandoit system is killed when the battery system is drained beyond usable power.
Resolution:
This resolution is for Vandoit vans with an AGM system only; it does not apply to Vandoit vans with a Lithium battery system. Lithium vans are equipped with programmed events to protect the batteries as well as get them back running. All one should have to do is plug into shore power or turn the engine on for lithium systems. Please contact support@vandoit.com, or submit a ticket, for questions regarding a lithium systems.
1. Check battery terminals to confirm terminals are tightly connected with each battery. Check for disconnected and loose terminals. If you are not sure if the battery terminals are loose, send a picture to Vandoit Customer Support.
2. Confirm that DC power does not work by hitting rocker switches. If the lights, rocker switches, and MaxxAir Fan in the van do not work, there is no DC power.
3. Confirm AC power doesn't work: The inverter won't turn on and wall outlets are not working.
4. Check to see if voltage is available on your inverter controller or solar controller.
5. If voltage is available on a screen, try plugging in shore power or turning vehicle all the way on with engine running. Check the above steps again.
6. If voltage is not available on solar controller or inverter, manually connect the relays to equalize battery voltage by following steps 7 through 9:
7. Unplug from shore power and make sure vehicle is turned off.
8. Locate yellow relay to connect the Ford factory battery with the Vandoit battery.
9. Make sure the switch is flipped to the "On" setting. The yellow button should be flush with its yellow exterior. Press the yellow switch button in. The relay is now connecting the battery systems and voltage should begin to equalize.
10. Turn your vehicle all the way on with engine running or plug into shore power. Let the van charge for 5-10 minutes minimum. If you can drive the van, that will help the batteries charge faster.
11. Try turning inverter and other electronics on. If completing steps 1 through 10 did not restore power to your inverter and electronics, please contact the Vandoit Customer Support team by creating a ticket in the Customer Support portal or by emailing support@vandoit.com.
12. Run/drive the vehicle or plug into shore power until charged.
Prevention Tips:
- Do not leave the van unused for extended periods of time without charging via shore power or solar.
- When leaving the van for extended periods, turn off the inverter and unplug components not in use.
- Make sure solar panels are clean and free of debris when leaving the van.
Related Articles
Troubleshooting a Dead Ford Van Battery
Confirmed Issue: The Ford van battery is dead and the vehicle will not start. Affected Units: Any Ford Transit with a Vandoit upfit. Summary: The Ford van battery is dead and the vehicle will not start. The van engine is not able to run, but the ...AC-powered vs. DC-powered Devices in the Vandoit Van
Article Objective: In this article, you will learn which devices in your van are powered by AC power, which are powered by DC power, and why understanding the difference is helpful. What's the difference? DC current powers smaller electronics and ...Understanding the AGM Battery System
Article Objective: In this article, you will get to know the components that make up the AGM battery system in your van: what they do, what their potential limitations are, and how to maintain/store the system if not being used for long intervals. ...AGM Batteries Are Not Holding a Charge
Confirmed Issue: The AGM batteries appear to be losing voltage more rapidly than they have previously. The GoPower monitor beeps, displays an error message, and shuts off. Affected Units: Any Vandoit van with a AGM Battery system Issue Explanation: ...General Vandoit Maintenance Checklist
Article Objective: In this article, we provide a comprehensive checklist of the items that should be monitored and serviced in order to keep your Vandoit in top condition. Please note that your van may or may not contain all of the components listed ...