Swap radio between batteries

[Giles B]

Hi All,

Hoping you can help. My radio has stopped working properly, it either seems to constantly switch off and on or constantly run the eject mechanism . It happened after I left the coolbox on for a long time which I think ran the leisure battery down, it still doesn't work now that I've charged the battery up, the rest of the lights and such work, but the LB now seems to discharge very quickly. Anyway I'm pretty sure I need a new LB, but I'm also keen to check the radio is still ok. So I figure the best way to do that would be to connect it to the main battery, but despite a lot of searching on the forum I still can't quite work out how to go about it.

So any advice?

Thanks

Giles

[missfixit70]

Depends on how it has been rewired to run from the LB, there isn't really one answer as there are different methods used to transfer the loads from the original standard set up where it all runs off the LB.
If you were to disconnect the positive from the LB & CAREFULLY connect it to the positive of the SB using a jump lead (making sure it doesn't touch anything else) that should stick all the circuits back on the SB to test them, don't drive with it like that though.

[stringman]

I've wired my radio via a couple of 5 pin relays and a switch so that when on site it works with the leisure battery and when driving works with the starter battery and switches off with the ignition.

You don't say where you are. There may be someone local who can help!

[missfixit70]

If you stick your location in your profile by clicking on "user control panel" top right, as Stringman says, local help may be just around the corner.

[Giles B]

Thought I did that a while back, odd, have definitely done it now. Newcastle or more accurately Tynemouth.

I'm fine having the radio run from the LB, though can see it would be nice if it turned off when I switched the ignition off when not camping, may look into that one day. For now I just want to test whether it's ok, will be getting a new LB shortly.

I'll spend a bit more time tomorrow looking at the wiring and trying to work out what's going on. I'm not great mechanically or electrically but like having a go. Does anyone have any links to pictures of the Bongo wiring, other than the fusebox pictures?

[missfixit70]

Ian can supply the wiring diagrams - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/mercha ... tm#Manuals

[g8dhe]

Just remember that there are two power feeds to the radio, a permanently on supply which normally comes via Fuse 1 and a switched supply that comes from Fuse 8. The feed from fuse 1 ensures that the memories are retained when "switched off" the feed via Fuse 8 is via the Ignition switch and supplies the main power, when this one goes off then the radio will normally go into standby with perhaps just the time showing.

[apole]

There's also a small chance that the radio is faulty and is the reason your battery is draining so fast. Check each circuit for a drain to identify which one.

You can get your battery checked by most garages for free or a small fee but I'd check there is nothing draining it first, then check it's getting a charge when the engine is running, and all the obvious things like good connections, sufficient electrolyte etc before buying a new one.

Andy

[hembramacho]

I've wired my radio via a couple of 5 pin relays and a switch so that when on site it works with the leisure battery and when driving works with the starter battery and switches off with the ignition.

Sorry jumping in but that's a brilliant idea. Can you give further details of how to do this as I've got my radio powered by the LB and it's such a pain having to switch it on/off everytime I'm driving.

Andrew

[Giles B]

Well I looked at all the wiring and couldn't make head nor tail of it so went with the jump leads idea from missfixit70. The radio worked so that was proved, but then it stopped again and I noticed the jump leads were smoldering, I've put everything back and it's fine except the radio of course, will just wait for new LB now. DIY really isn't my forte.