radio turning off during driving ??

[martin100585]

Hi all ,

I have been experiencing my radio turning off during driving and Day time running lights( DLR) not working again not driving??

The radio is on the LB side which is reading 11.4 volts during driving which i would expect to higher, and the DLR are on an ignition live ?

Also would the standard alternator be up to charging a SB & LB ?

Any ideas

Cheers

[g8dhe]

Yes the alternator is rated at 90 Amps, no problem charging both batteries. However it sounds like your not getting full charging going on via the SCR for some reason. Measure the voltages of both batteries first thing in the morning before turning on the Ignition, then start the engine and whilst idling measure the voltages again, finally take it for a short drive and measure the voltage when you return, before switching off ideally with someones foot on the accelerator so your doing about 2000RPM. You would expect to see around 12 to 12.6 volts first thing, then when idling around 13 to 14 volts maybe less on the LB if the voltage on the SB is around 13 volts, after a short run and with the engine at 2000 RPM then you would expect to see 14 to 14.4 volts on both batteries. Come back with the voltages and we may be able to point you at the most likely problem areas.

[martin100585]

Cheers geoff , will go get the figures and report back with my findings.

[teenmal]

It looks very much like the Voltage Sensing Relay could be the problem, DRL often use the Voltage Sensing Relay to operate.

[martin100585]

So i carried out what was suggested by geoff and these are the results.

Vehicle standing ( no key in ignition )
SB - 12.4v
LB - 10.3v

Vehicle running at 2000 rpm.
SB - 14.v
LB - 10.4v

after 30 mins drive

SB - 13.9v
LB - 9.3v

Something is definitely not right ?

[teenmal]

It looks like it could even be an inline fuse from the VSR or the VSR, worth checking IL fuses.

Take care.

[g8dhe]

Yes check the fuses there should be two one close to each battery, replace BOTH of them if one blew the other was about too!

[martin100585]

Forgot to mention that the SB is 94 a/Hr and the LB is only 64 a/Hr.

[martin100585]

Ive already checked the inline fuses , all good.

[g8dhe]

In that case it looks like the relay which type is it ?

[martin100585]

Not sure , it all came in a kit.

I will get a picture , but its just a simple black relay with no description.

Do you think i should up rate the battery aswell ?

[Markas]

Just spotted this thread - those are low readings off your LB. As a comparison the voltage at my LB is 13.3-13.4V with the engine running or on EHU. With the engine off, and not on EHU I normally see 12.3-12.7V after a couple of hours. That's while it's powering a compressor fridge, sometimes TV and LED lights too! Do normally camp on EHU pitches but get these sort of readings when I'm out and about.
64A/h sounds on the small side, depending on what you need it to power and how you use your van.

[martin100585]

I agree they are low and im probably going to get a bigger battery.

However for some reason the bloody thing has started charging ?? Very strange.

Im now looking at adding a 240v set up with a fridge but im a little unsure as to how i wire everything up so that the fridge will work on the 12v side while driving and the 240v side when on a camp site ??

Regards

[Markas]

I agree they are low and im probably going to get a bigger battery.

However for some reason the bloody thing has started charging ?? Very strange.

Im now looking at adding a 240v set up with a fridge but im a little unsure as to how i wire everything up so that the fridge will work on the 12v side while driving and the 240v side when on a camp site ??

Regards

In my setup the fridge is powered at all times by 12v DC from the LB. The LB itself is kept topped up by a permanently wired Sargent Supercharge when I'm on EHU, thus avoiding the need for a switchable 240v supply to the fridge. When I'm on the road the LB is topped up by the split-charge system and still powers the fridge, so no need to remember to switch over the power source to the fridge before you drive off.

[martin100585]

That sounds perfect ! Where would i be able to get one of those?