Removing second battery

The wheelybins · Post by **The wheelybins** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:21 pm

Hi all, I was looking to install a leisure battery to my van, it has a second battery but reading the factsheets I presume this is for starting in cold parts of japan. The wiring seems to go towards the main battery but not connect to it, but dissapear into the loom. Is this a major job.
Your suggestions would be gratefully recieved Russ

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:24 pm

They're only connected by a thick cable between the positive terminals - it runs across the top of the large black air intake.

The wheelybins · Post by **The wheelybins** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:37 pm

Hi John, it doesn't seem to but I will have have another look tommorow and I will get back to you for further advice if you don't mind (my mechanic has the key

, as I have recently bought it but I am having problems with oil leaks

Many thanks Russ

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:39 pm

Anytime mate - the cable is wrapped in a hard corrugated plastic tube. If you haven't got this cable, maybe it's already a leisure battery.

BONGOBIKER · Post by **BONGOBIKER** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 1:11 pm

I'm trying to achieve the same thing Russ, the cable goes into a loom but then dissapears towards the engine i'm not sure if both are wired to the starter motor or anything like theat.

I thought it would be a simple job but on reflection

I'm confused!

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:45 pm

BONGOBIKER wrote:I'm trying to achieve the same thing Russ, the cable goes into a loom but then dissapears towards the engine i'm not sure if both are wired to the starter motor or anything like theat.

I thought it would be a simple job but on reflection

I'm confused!

Just remove both the positive and negative leads from the second battery(passenger side) - it will work fine with just one battery (providing it's powerful enough to start the car). Obviously you need to insulate the positive lead, unless you are connecting it to your leisure battery.

Leah&John · Post by **Leah&John** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 8:52 am

I've also got the 'winter pack' with dual batteries - it's even got a sticker saying that the batteries are connected in parallel.

BUT I think i read on here that the winter pack also has a larger capacity (power use) starter motor. So my question is - is one battery enough to drive the bigger motor reliably?

jimsmimm · Post by **jimsmimm** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 9:10 am

loads of winter pack bongos have had their 2nd battery converted to a leisure battery without any hint of problem ...including mine..... the power of a battery drops off as the temperature drops the idea is if this happens the out put from two batteries will be enough to turn the engine over....

BONGOBIKER · Post by **BONGOBIKER** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:29 pm

But to convert the 2nd battery what do you do with all that existing wiring that goes into that big loom between the batteries?

Iv'e got the split charge kit can is there some way i can tap into the wires that are already there seen as they are already connected together?

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:28 am

BONGOBIKER wrote:But to convert the 2nd battery what do you do with all that existing wiring that goes into that big loom between the batteries?

The only wire from the second battery, that goes into the loom, is the main positive cable between the batteries - you just either remove it or insulate the battery clamp. You are trying to make it more complicated than it actually is.

The wheelybins · Post by **The wheelybins** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:42 pm

Hi John, sorry so long for the delay but no need for the info on the second battery anymore! My bongo has gone back

but I have a new one from a different dealer but unfortunately it doesn't have a second battery.
Anyway thanks for your help Russ

Removing second battery

Removing second battery

Starter motor