Questions & answers about awnings, mattresses, and other things to make life on the road more comfortable. This section is for Bongo-specific kit only. No talk about backpacking tents here!
Moderator: Muzorewa
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Scratch
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by Scratch » Thu Mar 19, 2015 7:31 pm
I am having the above fitted next week to my 2L petrol Bongo.
I will have the radio and lights connected up to the battery and then I will be looking to add a fridge. I am also having a split relay put in at the same time.
What is the best way to ensure that the battery is charged up?
Hopefully this set up will keep everything going for the festival season.
Can't wait.....
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Gasy
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by Gasy » Thu Mar 19, 2015 7:51 pm
" What is the best way to ensure that the battery is charged up? "
Your having it fitted next week
You should have to do nothing
Turn your fridge off when not using it maybe , depending on the size of your panel
Gas safe heating engineer / plumber if you need any advice just shout.
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Simon Jones
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by Simon Jones » Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:27 pm
What arrangements have you got for a mains hookup? That should take care of things when plugged in on site.
If you're having a split charge relay fitted, it should also charge the LB as you're driving so you should be pretty well catered for. Whoever is installing it should give you all the info you need.
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Scratch
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by Scratch » Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:58 pm
I have decided against a mains hook up for now as I will normally only be away for a couple of nights and hope that the leisure battery and solar panel suffices.
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Poohbear
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by Poohbear » Fri Mar 20, 2015 4:02 pm
Scratch wrote:I have decided against a mains hook up for now as I will normally only be away for a couple of nights and hope that the leisure battery and solar panel suffices.
For a couple of nights you don't even need the solar panel. With a 110Ah leisure battery we can go for a weekend (two nights) and we also have a fridge.
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Scratch
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by Scratch » Sat Mar 21, 2015 8:25 pm
That sounds good. Out of interest what fridge do you have?
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Dodgey
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by Dodgey » Sun Mar 22, 2015 4:42 pm
Depending on the size of the panel you are having fitted, you won't ever have to worry about your battery charge. What size are you going for?
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suejj21
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by suejj21 » Thu Apr 16, 2015 6:10 pm
Bought solar panel for our bongo but looks like you have to drill the roof! Has anyone done this? Worried about it leaking if we do. Any advice would be appreciated
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Gasy
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by Gasy » Thu Apr 16, 2015 6:48 pm
If you have a AFT roof there are already threaded bolt holes in the roof
Not sure what they do with tin tops
Gas safe heating engineer / plumber if you need any advice just shout.
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suejj21
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by suejj21 » Thu Apr 16, 2015 7:23 pm
Thanks, will check, never noticed any. Its a Ford Freda so should be the same as bongo, I think
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g8dhe
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by g8dhe » Thu Apr 16, 2015 8:09 pm
Yes you drill the roof but NOT under the canvass area, the cable from the Solar panel comes out towards the rear outside the tented area.
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suejj21
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by suejj21 » Thu Apr 16, 2015 8:28 pm
Thank you for clarifying this! Know where to look now
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Dodgey
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by Dodgey » Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:16 am
Bolt the panel into the roof bar holes (assuming you have brackets that are suitable) and drill the cable hole 9 inches from the top rear, in the middle. That avoids the tent area. Make sure your panel covers the hole you drilled too
I then seal the hole with silicone sealant. If it's my kit (don't think it is?) then it's a 6mm hole you drill, then wiggle the drill side to side to make the perfect oval hole.
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