Battery problems.

Bonsi007 · Post by **Bonsi007** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:56 am

I have just had a new leisure battery fitted a few months ago, along with split relay all was fine for a few days, then the main battery went, so I purchased a new one. All seemed to be fine, but we have just come back from a weeks skiing and the main battery was dead again. No lights were left on or radia etc. I jumped the main battery from the leisure and started up fine, and after driving around for a bit it all seems fine again so I presume the alternator is fine. Does anybody have a idea what could be pulling on the battery? could the split realy be causing the problem? Apparently there is 1 amp being pulled from the battery???? Cheers ...Simon

moonshine · Post by **moonshine** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:17 pm

How did you find out about the 1 amp drain? If you have an ammeter, and it is showing 1 amp drain with everything switched off, you could try removing each fuse one at a time until you find out when the current drain stops. That way at least you will find out which circuits are affected and which are not. I seem to remember that others have had problems with the rear interior flourescent light.

Bonsi007 · Post by **Bonsi007** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:42 pm

Thanks Moonshine

I took her back to the garage that fitted the battery, he told me about the drain, but said I should take her back to the place where I got the Split relay fitted, he was unsure if this was the problem?? I was woundering if it could be something to do with the extra 12v power supplys that were fitted in Japan, they don't work, but I was advised to leave them in as it is more hassle to remove them as they are wired up to the delayed engine cut off thingy (see picture)

...

what do you think?
Kind regards

Simon

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:02 pm

Check your fluorescent light in the back - if it's dim, replace the tube. I had this mystery battery flattening experience and it was traced to that.

Bonsi007 · Post by **Bonsi007** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:25 pm

Yes, mine is a bit dim now you mention it, I will give that a go... Thanks for your help!

Kind regards

Simon.

Aethelric · Post by **Aethelric** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:48 pm

I wonder if its a ordinary relay connected as a voltage sensing relay. It sounds like the relay coil is connected permanently across the battery.

MountainGoat · Post by **MountainGoat** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:14 pm

I had the same problem when I got my Bongo back from the converters, cost me a new battery too. Problem turned out to be a duff split charging system which was not up to the job. On dandywarhol's advice I got in touch with Willinton (sells leisure battery trays on Ebay) and managed to obtain from him one of the Intelligent Split Charging Wiring Looms he has recently developed. With the instructions provided it took ten minutes to install. Since installation my Bongo has never failed to start even after not using it for two weeks and using it without a hookup at Cartmel.

Bonsi007 · Post by **Bonsi007** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:53 pm

thanks for all your input

Kind regards

Bonsi007 · Post by **Bonsi007** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:53 pm

Just thought I would up-date, it was the light in the back, just in case anyone else has this problem, I removed the bulb and hey presto, all is well in my Bongo land again!

THANKS for your help, I would never have foind that on my own!!

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:55 pm

Glad to be of assistance

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:15 pm

Glad it's sorted bonsi, your not just a pretty face eh franco?

When you say light in the back, we are talking about the fluorescent tube? Not the tailgate filament lamp?

Are you going to replace the tube and see if the cure is permanent?

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:28 am

Great news Bonsi007 - well done Franco. Amazing how often the Bongo Tribe guess it right!!

Bonsi007 · Post by **Bonsi007** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:33 am

I don't think I will bother getting a new light, don't want the same thing to happen again, but I found this in IKEA, it was under a tenner, perfect for camping as it folds down into a small bucket, is made from a strong plastic, and it uses them funny little IKEA 7w plastic bulbs (under a tenner for 2!) PERFECT! here is the link to my pictures page if the picture link has not worked

http://www.dropshots.com/bonsi#date/200 ... :24:04[img]

http://www.dropshots.com/bonsi#date/2008-03-26/10:24:52[/img]

Bonsi007 · Post by **Bonsi007** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:36 am

That link didn't work??

http://www.dropshots.com/bonsi#

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:15 am

Forgive me if this is a daft question.....are you saying that the interior strip light can drain the battery even when switched off??? I have been out to flat batteries twice after about 10 days standing. My light was very dim...I cleaned the contacts and now it's just dim. Flat battries happened before and after cleaning contacts.
Do I just put a ammeter in line with the battery pos cable to measure drain?
Thanks