Switching to Leisure Battery

[Djembe Maz]

So sorry if this is such a silly question.
I bought my Bongo two or three weeks ago and have not had much time to 'play' with her.
I'm about to go away in her for the first time this weekend and I have just been sat in the back trying everything out. Certain things don't see to work although I have switched the battery switch to 'van'.
The blinds or the roof don't work unless I have the ignition turned on. Not tried the fridge yet but am I missing something?
How do I switch to the leisure battery apart from the obvious car/van switch please?
The water pump works which leads me to think perhaps a fuse has gone.
Any help would be greatly appreciated folks x

[g8dhe]

You normally don't have to switch anything, because its normal to re-wire the fuse box so that the top left and top three right are moved across to the LB, this then covers everything else other than fridge, so that Radio backup, blinds, and ancillaries are all on the LB. If you also have EHU then quite common to have a 12 volt supply/charger connected in as well which keeps the LB charged when on an EHU. The fridge is again normally wired into the above supply as well.
If you don't have the extra circuits switched then a loom is available here http://www.solarcampersolutions.co.uk/i ... -bongoloom to move the those circuits mentioned above across to the LB.

[Simon Jones]

Every conversion is different so there are no hard and fast rules about what is wired to the LB. Do you have details of what type of conversion you have or photos? That may help folk give more targeted advice.

[Djembe Maz]

Thank you guys - I'll call the garage where I bought it from tomorrow - if I have to turn on the ignition every time I want to close and open the blinds it'll be a right faff! However, I turned the fridge on and it came on! I assume from the leisure battery as the ignition was not on. I'll try to find out more tomorrow x I will also take some photo's - I really appreciate your helpful advice x

[francophile1947]

Just work the blinds manually

[Bob]

Yep, no harm just pulling and pushing them.

[Djembe Maz]

Oh that's really helpful! I didn't realise I could manually pull/push the blinds! I thought that would break the mechanism.

Thank you guys!
x

[Poohbear]

Or leave the key in the ignition overnight with it switched to the first position. As long as it's only for a few days the blinds alone won't drain your battery.

To raise and lower the roof you need to have the engine running anyway so do it before you switch the engine off when you arrive on a campsite and lower it again when you start the engine again to leave.

[Djembe Maz]

Thank you Poohbear! So sorry for the late reply x

I thought everything was wired to the leisure battery automatically, but obviously not.

I have only had chance to camp once in her so far just for 3 nights so still not really found my feet and had so little spare time to 'mess about' with her. I Still haven't had chance to plug her in to check if everything works off the hook up. Had so many busy weekends since I bought her.
She has, however been into the bodyshop to have the wheel arches and other rusty bits done - looking very smart now!
I've also found someone who is going to wash off the underside and replace the wax oil for me in the next month or so.

Hoping to get away in her again soon.

I'll get there but I'm sure I will have loads more questions!
Thank you x

[Bob]

Ask away, there's a great deal of knowledge to be found on here.

[Djembe Maz]

Thank you! I have been reading and catching up with threads.

I guess folk really love their Bongo's!
I absolutely adore mine and it's going to take a long time to read through the wealth of information on here.
Really pleased this resource is available and so glad I joined.

[Bob]

Brilliant.

Do try and get along to a Meet sometime.

The Gang are even more fun 'In the flesh'. I never predicted the great friendships made here.

[Djembe Maz]

Sounds great! x