Split relays, leisure batteries and smoke... Eek

[CatBusFreda]

So we have a long list of jobs to get our new girly up to the point we can try a night away in her. One of which was the leisure battery. Our van has a leisure battery but we were told it was dead and would need replacing. We were tinkering under the bonnet doing something else and notice a 30a blade fuse poking out of the wiring attached to the leisure battery so we checked it and low and behold it had blown. We replaced it and suddenly had a light on the little button on our dashboard that we had no clue what it was for.

We drove home (we were at a motor spares place) and wasn't sure if our battery was charging or not so asked my Dad to check. He noticed a red wire that was off so we had a mooch around and reconnected. Started the engine, nasty smell and smoke coming from what we believe is the split relay. Gulp.

Not really sure what is going on but have added pictures, my dad cut the cable sharpish and has taped it over. What would you lovely folks suggest?

http://photos.app.goo.gl/nTt7XBUWarjbyVVM7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/V95bpXhruf2vnRkQ8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SjDyGVXho47vxNWA9

[g8dhe]

Please get all that wiring scrapped and correctly wired up with fuses and suitabely rated wires, from those pictures that looks lethal

If your not sure what your doing then please speak to a an automotive electrician, or get the kits from the likes of Karl Chadwick on here who does kits with very good instructions. https://www.bespokeautoelectricalservices.co.uk/

[CatBusFreda]

Yeah we figured it wasn't the prettiest. Gonna go hunt a new kit and looks like we have a bongo specialist garage right round the corner (hoorah). Should we be okay driving it with that stuff in till the kit comes? Or would you strip it out sharpish?

[haydn callow]

Can I suggest you urgently check the level of coolant in that header tank....WHEN COLD...take the cap off and put a dry stick vertically down into the tank till it touches the bottom of the tank.....withdraw the stick....there should be approx 2 cms of wet stick.

[haydn callow]

Seriously consider fitting a Low Coolant Alarm....

[CatBusFreda]

After reading up on bongos for a while we checked the coolant as soon as we got it. It is on the full marker and has been since we picked it up Saturday (we have done about 90 miles so far). Coolant alarms is very high on our list of priorities though, just trying to figure out which one to buy.

[Tony x]

Buy Haydn's
He gave us great service when returning one of his coolant alarms from it's modified spec back to how it was originally and we didn't even buy it from him - it came with the vehicle when we bought it.
The self check feature makes it stand out above other similar looking alarms

[CatBusFreda]

I meant more so the standard coolant alarm or the one with the temperature sensor too. What would folks recommend and should we fit ourselves or pop it to the garage?

[Tony x]

In brief the low coolant alarm will help if you have a small leak and you go to start up the following day. It will then let you know of the problem - the temp' sensor wont help at all in this situation.
If you develop a fault whilst driving - for example the thermostat fails or the system is overdue for a bleed then the temperature sensor gives advanced warning here.
The temperature sensor, along with a long stick allows for one handed bleeding.
Fitting is straight forward enough - the temperature sensor itself is no big deal but you need to be able to do a small bit of electrical work

[CatBusFreda]

Ah thank you. I have been reading various posts trying to work out the benefits and fitting requirements of each. Looks like we have a Bongo friendly garage right near us so gonna call them this morning and see if they can do the fitting, do folks normally source the parts and then pop them to the garage or are bongo friendly garages pretty good at sorting the whole thing?

[haydn callow]

Go to our website......then call Jo.....tell her....dad says discount please.

[teenmal]

When using a professional garage for repairs and servicing it is advisable to let the garage supply and fit the parts.


Take care

[haydn callow]

If CatBusFreda decides to fit one of ours, it would make sense for him/her to order it from us and take it along to his chosen garage to be fitted. The Pros of this are, discount from us to Bongo Fury member, no garage mark up, talk to the company and get exactly what you require, absolutely no quibble warranty from the company.

[CatBusFreda]

Rang the garage this morning and they are more than happy to fit parts we source so all good. They have Bongos of their own so such a relief (they are about 15 mins walk from my house).

[Bob]

Very fortunate to have a good garage so close to home.