Mains Switching off when connected to car?

The control panel you pictured is surely a 12v item, as is the Alde controller?  Well it is in our caravan.

When you connect to the car, the habitation relay in the van does disconnect all the 12v in the van, but will allow the 12v element in the fridge to receive power directly from the car.  It all works automatically.

I am rather confused as to what is actually being described, however, with an electronic panel it is common for everything to switch off when you disconnect the EHU. In our Motorhome once the EHU is disconnected and the engine started the panel is dead with only the fridge powered from the engine. When you stop and want to use the habitation battery or mains you have to press the "on" or nothing will work.

Obviously with a Motorhome you can do more with regard to starting the engine. For example, if the EHU is connected the engine won't start (Yes, I discovered that!), also the step is automatically retracted. Fairly foolproof although I expect that in due course I will find something that isn't!

Mine does exactly the same on our Bailey Unicorn. I usually switch it off myself. Force of habit, because if we are putting the van in storage I don't want the battery drained by anything other than the alarm or tracker. However, when I have forgotten it isolates as you describe. However, it does not really control the 240 volts side, just operates some of the functions when on 240 volts, such as the Alde. However it will still operate them with the 240 volts off on gas. I don't think you have to have it on to get the plugs and microwave to work. Although must admit I always switch it on first, so have never tried.

Obviously with a Motorhome you can do more with regard to starting the engine. For example, if the EHU is connected the engine won't start (Yes, I discovered that!), also the step is automatically retracted. Fairly foolproof although I expect that in due course I will find something that isn't!
 

Yep I have seen a MH start engine and then step out onto the step which is no longer there. 

Yes, I did that the first day I bought my M/H home , the thing is you only do it once

It's much easier to walk through the Motorhome and step down (if it's there!). My wife in particular finds it difficult to enter via the cab doors - a big step up and heavy doors.

I do worry about modern control panels. If it packs up there is no way of getting 12 or 240 volts.

Does that mean that the caravan battery is not charged when connected to the car and driving ?

rgds

As far as I am aware that is why it cuts out. It switches over from van to car and the the battery is charged and the fridge works on 12 volt. On our old van there was a switch labked van or car on the control unit.

That switch was nothing to do with charging. It selected which battery was being used when you were sat in a lay-by.

Regards to the Alde clock back up..If you go to YouTube and follow The Trudgians, Dan Trudgian just done a VLOG on this very subject a few weeks back.  There is some soldering involved but it is relatively easy to do.

Can;t answer on the other problem sorry