Intermittent fridge charging - help please

[briwy]

We have the full kit same as Muz
Absolutely essential, two out of the three sites we were on in Spain last month had reversed polarity and two pin sockets.
Remember, you need to check the polarity BEFORE plugging in the van.

[BongoGog]

Sounds like the sensible thing to do - do you really need a splitter too?

[Obi]

Hi BongoGog,

Had similar problem recently with same fridge - it turned out to be one of the in-line fuses connected to the leisure battery. You will see two leads coming from the battery - check the fuses on each lead. One had blown on mine. Changed the fuse and fridge worked perfectly on hook-up and battery.

Kev.

[Dodgey]

[quote="Dodgey"

So a range of just 0.5V is the difference between well charged and nearly flat?

Nah - 11.9v is flat. 12.2 is 50% used (or full if you are an optomist)

So range of 0.8v !

[BongoGog]

Hi BongoGog,

Had similar problem recently with same fridge - it turned out to be one of the in-line fuses connected to the leisure battery. You will see two leads coming from the battery - check the fuses on each lead. One had blown on mine. Changed the fuse and fridge worked perfectly on hook-up and battery.

Kev.

Ahh you genius Obi. I've just checked what you suggested .. and you're spot on. Well I hope that's all it is, one fuse is blown! Didn't think of checking that, checked everything else. Ha ha. Any idea what caused it on yours, and has it been ok since - best carry a few spare fuses. Fuses easy to get hold of - 25Amp?

Is yours A JAL conversion also?

Can't thank you enough Kev, I'll get you a few beers in if you're up this end!

Ifan

[BongoGog]

[quote="Dodgey"

So a range of just 0.5V is the difference between well charged and nearly flat?

Nah - 11.9v is flat. 12.2 is 50% used (or full if you are an optomist)

So range of 0.8v !

Ok thanks Dodgey. I thought it was flat at around 11V as the Zig manual says the low battery light only comes on when LBatt is below 11V. Didn't think it was that low either - won't rely on that, got my own batt tester, so best not go below 12V then.

What's the uppermost charge for a Lbatt then, is it only 12.7V? I am thinking of getting a 100Ah L batt hoping it'll last longer. Also need to get a 100W solar panel, connect straight to cig lighter charger on L batt - should then be able to go mains free all week end?!

[Muzorewa]

Sounds like the sensible thing to do - do you really need a splitter too?

It's handy if all the sockets are taken and you just need to keep your beer cool

[Obi]

Hi BongoGog,

I'm pretty sure it was just a power surge that caused the problem on mine. We were hooked up and the lights suddenly went out - I try not to overload and keep the use of electrical appliances to a minimum. I just switched the ZIG off and on and the lights came back on - it wasn't until we got home that I realised the fridge wasn't working.

I have not has any problems since changing the fuse and have been away in the van using both the hook-up and the leisure battery - hopefully you will be the same.

You can get boxes of mixed AMP blade fuses from Halfords - always handy to have.

Mine is a JAL too.

Happy Holidays,

Kev.

[BongoGog]

Thanks again Obi,

I had to order a bag of 25 of the fuses, blade fuses as you say, as the shop don't normally stock them, but ok for £3 I guess. Hopefully they'll last a while!!

I wont be buying anything else from JAL - not the best deal I've ever had (long story, maybe on another thread one day), but happy with the Bongo.

[Dodgey]

[quote="Dodgey"

So a range of just 0.5V is the difference between well charged and nearly flat?

Nah - 11.9v is flat. 12.2 is 50% used (or full if you are an optomist)

So range of 0.8v !

Ok thanks Dodgey. I thought it was flat at around 11V as the Zig manual says the low battery light only comes on when LBatt is below 11V. Didn't think it was that low either - won't rely on that, got my own batt tester, so best not go below 12V then.

What's the uppermost charge for a Lbatt then, is it only 12.7V? I am thinking of getting a 100Ah L batt hoping it'll last longer. Also need to get a 100W solar panel, connect straight to cig lighter charger on L batt - should then be able to go mains free all week end?!

You'll end up below 12v regularly (a fridge will drag it down to the mid elevens on startup after a while). 11v is totally flat, but relatively safe for the battery - hence the 11v warning lamp. Get into the 10's and you start damaging the battery after a while.

12v Lead acid cells are full at 12.6v at rest (i.e. not charging, or recently been charged - eg wait 20 mins after a charge to get the rested figure) but chargers have to take them higher than that to get a charge in. You have to put more than 12.6v in a battery to get it to 12.6v...

You'll see chargers take them over 14v sometimes, but generally 13.8v is the number they take them to. Most chargers get the battery to 13.8v and then trickle in a very low current to maintain this. Unplug the charger and the battery will fall to 12.6v very swiftly, and settle there.

[Obi]

You're very welcome BongoGog. Your supply of fuses should just about last as long as your Bongo.

I know JAL may seem expensive but they do only import good quality vehicles. The main thing is you are happy with the Bongo.

I have also found Phil to be really helpful with regard to aftersales. I have had a couple of minor issues with my van and he arranged for a garage up here to look at the problem free of charge(after the warranty had expired) and another time he put me in contact with his mechanic Dave who was able to talk me through a coolant system issue.

Cheers,

Kev.