split chargers woes

[Rob101]

Hi fellow bongonauts - I hope somebody can offer me some (sensible!) advice.
Today the split charge relay for my leisure battery started clicking on and off every second. Having read about somebody's similar issues on here I played with the potentiometer on the VSR, at which point the adjuster broke off
So first question :
1/ Where can I get a new VSR - and what units do you recommend? I've attached a photo of my original one below if that helps !

This doesn't answer the underlying issue tho.. Why was the unit switching on and off? My main battery voltage is 12.80V measured at the terminals, and 13.85V with the engine running.
Which moves me on to the next question :
2/ Is the engine running voltage a bit low ? ie. do you think my alternator is on the way out ??

And finally, if the alternator is dodgy, where can I get a new / reconditioned one? I would like to avoid having to shell out £200 of at all possible !

Any advice much appreciated.

Rob

[MountainGoat]

I had a lot of problems with the split charging system installed by my converter when I first got my bongo over two years ago. I managed to get dandywarhol to have a look at it and he advised me to scrap the whole system and install one of Willinton's intelligent split charging wiring looms. This I was able to do myself (and I am no leckie) following the intructions and photos supplied by Willinton. No problems since and the loom has been fitted for 22 months now.

Tony

PS : if you just need the relay you could contact Willinton via his ebay shop and ask him if he would sell you one if the original was not one of his relays. Dandywarhol's Willinton relay failed during a long trip across Europe and was relaced foc by Willinton.

Bongos don't like their alternators messed about with, has your split charging system been wired via the alternator?

[BongoMTBer]

That is a Towsure VSR which is rated at 30 amps. It looks like it is being used to switch the 70 amp relay which shouldn't cause an issue and is taking the load if the switching relays in the VSR. Cooincidently, I reaplaced my relay today, picking up a new one from Towsure for £9.95 but that was due to it having burnt out due to an incorrect installation.

If I was you, I would try replacing VSR first and make sure you get good connections on the terminal to ensure there is a minimal voltage drop.

My alternator failed and I got my new one from here http://www.mazdabongoshop.co.uk/ exchanged so got about £30 back after changine it on the pavement outside their shop. It could not keep up with the aircon and rear blowers being on in the hot weather.

Good luck.

Sam.

[Rob101]

Cheers guys,

Tony :
I've just had a gander and it looks like the relay input is coming off the starter battery rather than the alternator.

Sam : yup I'll order a new one from Towsure (seeing its only a tenner), but I get the feeling that the problem is more that the VSR itself. How did you know when your alternator packed in??
Oh - and I cant see one that looks like mine - is it this one?
http://www.towsure.com/product/1828-Sel ... tion_Relay

A possibly related symptom is haydns alarm chirping upon turning the engine over, although that doesnt seem unusual from reading posts on here..

Ta
Rob

[BongoMTBer]

Alternator here http://www.mazdabongoshop.co.uk/SearchProducts.asp

[johnlee]

stopped using that vsr some time ago and now sell the better made pct one at £15 + vat and p+p
pm me if you want one.

run the bong at about 2000 rpm and check the voltage at starter battery.
off load it shoould be 13.8 to 14.2
put load on and check again.

john

[chipvan]

Rob101 just my sort of wave!! love your pic!

[madmile]

I started out using the towsure / indespension supplied 30A VSR labelled 'Tec3M' out of about 15, at least 10 failed within 6 months - I just dont think they like daily continuous operation.
Now use the willinton ones - sure there are others, but I have not had a problem in the past 18 months using martins kit - very highly recommended.

[johnlee]

if you want to check it out its the volton relay on http://www.pct-automotive.co.uk/
not had one fail yet and dont even bother to control an external relay just wire straigt in.
john

[mrsam]

Had a similar problem on my system some time ago.The VSR monitors the main 12v voltage and when the main voltage reaches a fully charged state it switches to charge the second battery.The surge in curent on my system caused the main voltage to drop a little.The VSR detected this and cut off the second battery.This was repeated with the VSR switching on and off repeatedly.
There was an adjustment on mine which allowed me to adjust the cut out voltage to stop the hunting.
I moved the main voltage sensing point closer to the alternater and the problem disapeared.
mrsam

[Rob101]

wow thanks for all the advice everybody !!

After buying a new VSR from Towsure and being very confused when it didnt want to switch off at more than 6V, I finally got the system working again by buying a SMARTCOM High Load VSR from my local Towing supplies shop..
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=32993

Am relieved I dont have to fork out for a replacement alternator

As I mentioned in the above post, I'm really grateful for the efforts of BongoFury members - without the posts I'd have been flailing around shortcircuiting anything I could find (actually I wouldn't have been brave enough to attempt anything to do with electrics without the support of you guys)

@chipvan - yup that was a good sesh - we don't get much swell out here in the east, but make the most of what turns up !!