Simple Leisure Battery Setup

[stevlor]

I'm just fitting the split charge relay kit now - one question though: where have you guys fitted the split charge relay itself? The limited instructions that I have suggest screwing it onto the air filter box, but I wanted to make sure in case I did any damage!

[Bob]

On the diesel the air filter is under the driver's seat so not really very handy.

I'm guessing you want somewhere close to/between the batteries, but hopefully Geoff will have a pic or two.

[cmm303]

I'm just fitting the split charge relay kit now - one question though: where have you guys fitted the split charge relay itself? The limited instructions that I have suggest screwing it onto the air filter box, but I wanted to make sure in case I did any damage!

I've seen one screwed into the top of the cabin heater air duct by conversion company - wasn't that impressed but did the job. I presume this is what is meant by the air filter box as the later bongos have a filter near the front of this duct. The instructions can't be referring to the engine air filter!
Mine is mounted on the blanking plate in the bulkhead for the (absent) manual clutch but it was designed to fit there. Nicely accessible but tucked away.

Your choices will be dictated by the length of the two battery leads.

[g8dhe]

Yes its quite common to screw the relays onto the air intake box for the cabin air under the bonnet and next to the battery.
Please make sure the kit has TWO in-line fuses which are connected to the +ve terminals of each battery, there are kits out there that miss the second fuse out.

[stevlor]

Thanks guys, and yeah - two inline fuses present, and I'll get some battery terminal covers too

[mikeonb4c]

I'm just fitting the split charge relay kit now - one question though: where have you guys fitted the split charge relay itself? The limited instructions that I have suggest screwing it onto the air filter box, but I wanted to make sure in case I did any damage!

(Engine?) Filter box seems an odd location. Do they mean cab heater intake box? Being a willinton kit, mine came with a bracket for mounting on the bulkhead under tbe bonnet. This means it stays dry, relatively cool, and its indicator light can be checked to see that the voltage sensing relay is operating properly. This last point is especially relevant since VSRs have been known to stop working properly so that either the leisure battery does not receive charge when the engine is running or else is not isolated from the starter battery (a short while) after the engine is stopped. I can also hear my relay clicking in and out, when i'm sat in the drivers seat, which is handy. So it would be worth making up a bracket to fit it there if possible. Saves drilling unnecessary holes too and keeps it all in the same area as the batteries as well, which makes it easier for anyone to understand what wiring does what.

[stevlor]

Also sorry for the confusion - not the engine air filter, the cabin heater intake box as most of you correctly guessed. Wasn't sure what to call it and the instructions just say 'air box' and I thought I saw an air filter in there!

Anyway, yes, wishing I'd bought a different kit at the moment but this is the one I've got so I'll keep going!

[Bob]

Pretty sure you're right, there is a filter of sorts in there so makes sense.

[mikeonb4c]

Also sorry for the confusion - not the engine air filter, the cabin heater intake box as most of you correctly guessed. Wasn't sure what to call it and the instructions just say 'air box' and I thought I saw an air filter in there!

Anyway, yes, wishing I'd bought a different kit at the moment but this is the one I've got so I'll keep going!

It'll be fine once you've got it fettled. A good/neat installation is worth as much as the kit itself, as components can then easily be replaced at a later date (VSRs in particular can fail if not of the best quality, but replacements can be readily sourced)

[stevlor]

I have (leisure battery powered) lights! No stereo or cigarette lighter though I'll have to give it a check tomorrow.

[cmm303]

Excellent! One step at a time. Possibly less obvious thing to check is that the LB is charging when the engine is running and that it is isolated from the SB when the engine is off.

[stevlor]

LB was at 12.3v with engine off, and 14.2v when it was running, so I guess that means it's charging, although I didn't expect the voltage to be that high with the engine on. I'll check the fuses for the stereo/12v socket wire tomorrow to see if I can get it working - is there anything else you might suspect?

[cmm303]

LB was at 12.3v with engine off, and 14.2v when it was running, so I guess that means it's charging, although I didn't expect the voltage to be that high with the engine on. I'll check the fuses for the stereo/12v socket wire tomorrow to see if I can get it working - is there anything else you might suspect?

I think 14.4v is the max safe charging voltage, somebody will confirm. Your VSR is certainly switching "on" when the engine is running. Check that the LB is isolated when the engine is off by disconnecting the LB earth and the cabin lights should stop working. It is a nice feeling knowing that any abuse of the LB won't drain your SB and leave you stranded!

Stereo and 12v socket: Also double check you have plugged the wires in the right place when patching the circuit over to the LB. If still stuck, pop a photo up of the fuse box, if that is where you've patched the circuits to the LB.

Are you also swapping over the 2 blinds circuits? They ok?

[stevlor]

Phew, was dreading fault diagnosis this morning, but turns out it was just a weak connection to the fuse box from the leisure battery, so easily fixed. Unfortunately my bongo doesn't have electric blinds. In the VSR instructions it says that if this is the case I can use the two fuses for other things - but what else could I have? I think I'm ok with lights, stereo and 12v sockets tbh!

[Bob]

Glad that was so simple in the end.