New to Bongos a few simple questions

[mickeymonkey]

Hello all
I am new to this site and to Bongo's, I hope someone can answer a few basic questions about the bongo I have just bought. It is a 2.5 Diesel AutoFreetop with an Imperial car Moonfleet conversion.

Can anyone answer does the liesure battery charge when the vehicle is running or do I have to set anything? I say this because I have just driven it 100 miles back home from collecting it and pressed the battery status indicator on the panel and it is showing very low. How much driving to get to full charge? Do I have to switch anything to use the liesure battery?

Also the conversion has two 3 pin type plugs and also the round 12v type x 3, do these all run off of the liesure battery? So could I run a TV, lamp or small heater from any of these sockets.

This is probably basic stuff to you people but as I say I am new to this and would appreciate a reply.

Many thanks

[wonkanoby]

all really depends on what the convertor did

but its usual for it to charge when driving via a split charger

as to mains thats normally only avaidable from a mains hook up

unless an invertor was fitted

[apole]

Hi there,

Best to give Imperial a call direclty as they will know the answers.

It is almost certain a split charge relay is fitted to charge the LB when the engine is running. However many control panels have a switch that enables or disables the charging depending on whether you are hooked up to the mains or not. This needs to be checked out as if the switch is in the wrong place you won't be getting charged. Failing that it could be a blown fuse or another reason such as a worn out battery.

As to the mains sockets, most likely again they only work when you are on hook up and the correct switch has been flicked on the control panel. Most people who put in an inverter leave it on a seperate socket outlet.

If you can;t get help from imperial, let us know what control panel you have, it will be something like a zig cf-8 or a PMS etc.

Andy

[Jaws]

As above. Almost certainly the three pin outlets will only work when connected to an external 240v supply. Any 12v outlets can be supplied in a number of ways e.g. main vehicle battery, leisure battery or mains transformer.

Charging of leisure battery may be via split charge relay or power management system (PMS) and this may come from engine alternator or external 240v hook up depending on how things are arranged.

Confused?

If you post more info about your system then wiser heads than mine will be sure to reply.

[mickeymonkey]

Hello all thanks for your help this is all that the site says about the electrics

An Elecsol 100 amp battery provides on site power for the refrigerator, lights and other 12 volt accessories when there is no mains hook up. Both 12v and 240v power is managed by a control unit, LED display and, safety once again, an RCD and trips.

[mickeymonkey]

I have tried the mains hook up and whilst it was on it gave a full reading and if I switched it off it was up to bar 2. However soon after disconnecting it went back to very low where it was. Would this suggest that the leisure battery is no good?

[triathlondave]

Hello

I would leave it on charge via 240 for as long as you can.

I find on hookup that it takes overnight (10 hours or more to charge the battery)

given your's is low, then maybe a day.

Why not charge it up using a good quality battery charger and see how it behaves after it is fully charged.

DAvid.

[wormey]

Welcome, it sounds like your battery is bad. I have a conversion with 240v plugs but they only run off the mains hook up, the 12v stuff runs directly from the leisure battery.

If you go for a new battery, check out banner batteries as they are well made according to the MMM.

[mister munkey]

Duff Batt.

Great Family Name!!

Munkeys are officially, the most intelligent simians.


Welcome aboard.

[mickeymonkey]

Thanks again for all answers will try a 24 hour charge then new battery if that does not work

[triathlondave]

Hello Mickey monkey

how's the battery after charging it?

Decided to be safe to give mine a good charge and it's out and under the battery charger as we speak.

david.

[mickeymonkey]

I have had my battery hooked up for two days and on test it is showing up 2 bars of 3 so it has gone beyond 1 bar which I had before. I will watch for a while and see if it goes right down again quickly.