Mazda Kitchen Battery Charging.

[hailseizer]

Just got a 96 bongo down here in New Zealand. The Battery in the factory fitted kitchen does not seem to charge from the alternator. Is this normal or have a i got a knackered relay somewhere? Any help would be great as some xmas bongo camping is on the menu!

[g8dhe]

Yes there is a relay plus a fuse in the charging path see below;

[hailseizer]

Thanks Geoff i will check it out. Cheers, Ian

[stilldesperate]

Obvious one, but have you reset the push-button on the front of the kitchen unit?

SD

[hailseizer]

Yep tried that but no joy. I will have a look at the weekend, Thanks, Ian

[321Away]

From the factory kitchens I've seen, you have to push the button on the front and that starts the recharge cycle, bit of a weird setup, usually just rip it all out and install a split charge relay, saves you about 20kg's in weight too with all the factory charger/inverter etc

[stilldesperate]

Yep tried that but no joy. I will have a look at the weekend, Thanks, Ian

Does the red light come on - on the front of the kitchen- with the ignition on? This indicates power is getting to the kitchen unit. Pushing the button (with the engine running), should make the light go out.

SD

[hailseizer]

Hi All. Well i pulled the kitchen out and noticed that someone had been tinkering with the wiring. Due to my hate of redundant things that can go wrong i ripped out all of the 100v stuff and the relays and diodes. After a bit of bench testing i found that the charge controller is a rather nice voltage sensing relay with, i think ,solar panel connections. Using this relay i invented a far nicer, simpler system with no stupid red cut out switch or 100v stuff. Works a treat, just need to add a cheapo volt meter to keep an eye on the battery. Thanks for the help, good luck with the snow!!!