Leisure battery kit.

[AlliDelta]

Have seen these on eBay. Anyone fitted one and can talk of it's quality?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-BONGO-LEISU ... 3363fe7d2c

Cheers. Also any preferences on battery brand will be helpful. Seen one on eBay again and it seems like it will fit the bill

[Alison01326]

If you actually search the seller's name "Willinton" on here, you'll get your answer!!

But to save you the trouble, it's a totally top bit of kit, comes with excellent instructions and is easy to fit (although I got an auto electrician to fit mine because I don't touch electricity).

There's an enormous amount on here about leisure batteries and which will fit in in Willinton's battery tray.

[AlliDelta]

Thanks! Looks like it will be the way to go... Once I have come back off me hols I will get one.

[jimpearceuk]

Have seen these on eBay. Anyone fitted one and can talk of it's quality?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-BONGO-LEISU ... 3363fe7d2c

Cheers. Also any preferences on battery brand will be helpful. Seen one on eBay again and it seems like it will fit the bill

I fitted one of these last weekend, all I can say is wow what a slick kit! All goes in like a dream, it all fits perfectly, and now works like a charm! I also took the option to power the blinds of the leisure battery, (this option as part of the kit)

Highly recommended, took an hour and a half, and I messed about reading the instructions and drinking tea for a fair bit.

As for battery, I went for the Lucas 110Mah on ebay @ 79.99 slots in a dream!

PM me if you want to discuss install in detail on here or in the phone, no problem

Cheers Jim

[Alifriendee]

I fitted one too. I'm all butterfingers yet found it very easy to install. Highly recommended.

[dave_aber]

+1 for what's been said already.

Also, Martin's after-sales support is excellent too. I had a problem with my relay after a while in use, and he replaced it no-quibble.


Here's what you get, and how it goes together.
Click for the full story.

[AlliDelta]

All looks pretty straightforward, nice little project for after I get back off my hols at the end of jan...

[chipvan]

buy it its well worth it,one of the bests things ive bought as a add on to the bongo..great fun to fit,i got worred about fitting but it couldnt be easier!

[slow_n_low]

I know this might sound a dumb question but what exactl;y does the leisure battery do, i have strolled through the forums but ive only come up with operates blinds and lights

[AlliDelta]

I know this might sound a dumb question but what exactly does the leisure battery do, i have strolled through the forums but ive only come up with operates blinds and lights

A leisure battery allows you to use your interior lights, stereo, and anything you plug into your cigarette lighter socket as much as you like without any chance of running your main driving battery flat.

So if you are camping and having a wee drinking session with the stereo on and all the interior lights on and have a power invertor running your laptop to watch a film you won't run the risk of not being able to start the Bongo in the morning while your have the hangover from hades

Hope this clears things up!

[g8dhe]

Depends on what you connect to it!
Most people switch over the;
Radio
Internal Lights
Cigar lighters
Blinds
then you can add
Fridge
TV & DVD
Computers
GPS navigation system
Reversing cameras / CCTV
Feeds to other games / controllers / Chargers etc.

[dave_aber]

It can be wired to power whatever you want it to, but crucially it does it without affecting the starter battery.

So, after a weekend in a field with fridge, stereo, interior lights, blinds, etc running you can be sure that the engine will start.


Edit : Too slow!

[slow_n_low]

Right gotcha cheers

[Getcarter]

I'm thinking of fitting a willinton kit as well but after speaking to my dad who has had narrowboats he reckons that running one of these without charging from the mains will soon wreck the battery. He thinks it would never get a good enough charge from just driving. I don't want to have to charge it on the drive or remove the battery to charge.

Can anyone with one and no 240v charger confirm that they work OK?

Thanks, Tim

[g8dhe]

It depends on just how much power your using and how much travelling your doing!
We have an onboard charger which is used when on a hookup but I also reckon we can go at least a week with the daily travelling we do to replenish the battery. The two largest demands on the battery are the Fridge and the radio, with lights a close third, probably second earlier and later in the year when you need them on longer for the evenings. I would expect that we do about 1-2 hours driving a day on average but most of that would be in shorter bursts with an hour or two in between.