two batteries and charging

[stunews]

I had a flat battery after not using the van all winter, so I charged it. The old girl started and seemed fine, but then on the way out of town a few weeks back, she didn't want to start. This was after a run out of London, dropping someone at Gatwick. I was surprised how after a 40 min run it wouldn't start. It started eventually.

It occurred to me that maybe this is because I only charged the main battery, and not the second one.

What with planning a big trip next month, could it be that I need to charge both batteries, as the second may be drawing from the first?

[Bob]

Depends on your set up.

Do you have a North Island Bongo with 2 starter batteries?

If so likely you should replace the second one, or,at least disconnect it and test it.

If you have a leisure battery set up it shouldn't effect the starter battery, that's (of course) the point of it, but some systems can be switched together so possibly it has dragged down the SB.

[Gasy]

Is your alternator charging the batts ?

[stunews]

I bought two new batteries a couple of years back because they were playing up. I have a runabout, so don't use it very often.

As for how the batteries are wired up - I think they're connected. Perhaps if I post a pic?

[g8dhe]

If it started eventually, that would suggest that it isn't the battery at all that is the problem! After several starting attempts the battery would be getting weaker, maybe glowplugs are ageing ?

[cmm303]

Stunews, can you confirm which engine?
Many of the above suggestions are assuming diesel but just in case .....

[stunews]

OK, I've taken some pics. I'm trying to upload an image but it's saying image is too large? I've tried making it really small (12kb) but no dice?
Any advice with doing this?

[Bob]

Info here:

http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... =42&t=9285

[stunews]

Here we are.

The battery on the right side (viewed from front) is what I think is starting the motor, and what I've been charging..

[Bob]

That's either a leisure battery or the second starter battery if you have a North Island/Cold Weather Bongo.

The one on the driver's side is the SB.

Since the positive battery lead on the one you mention looks pretty new I'd guess its an aftermarket leisure battery.

Is there a switch with an engine icon somewhere near your right knee? That's the easy way to spot a cold start pack.

[g8dhe]

The batteries have been played with big time, the offside battery is missing the proper +ve terminal arm with the first 4 fuses mounted on it. I would suspect that they may still be in parallel with both +ve leads going direct to the starter motor. Where they have hidden the terminal arm and its fuses would be worrying, having heavy duty leads unfused flying about under the bonnet is NOT a good idea! One front end collision (remember no engine to take the impact) will mean that those cables will either be severed or grounded with an instant arc welder under the bonnet.....

The off side battery should look like this;