Glow Plug Relay switch mod & split charging problem?

[missfixit70]

For some reason, over the last few days I've really noticed what I thought was the glow plug relay clicking in & out for the first few minutes after I've started the bongo, so having taken delivery this morning of a small quantity of switches from ebay to fit the lower holes, I thought I'd set about the modification in the fact sheet to fit a switch to the relay, took all of about 40 minutes
But, while checking the wiring for another little project, I realised my leisure battery was down to 10v, when I checked the function of the split relay, it didn't seem to be charging when on tick over with the aircon running, but was charging ok with it off I'm not sure if just means it hasn't been charging very much ( maybe the relay clicking I was hearing?)as I've had the ac on most of the time & have only been doing 7 mile runs barely getting it above 2000rpm, or the battery is goosed ?

[Manny]

Kirsty,I would check the Leisure battery is not being drained by something when the engine is off, like the internal lights or radio if these have been moved to the LB circuit. IF so this could flatten the battery. Then when the engine is started and the Start battery reaches the split relay switch on voltage the relay is activated and the flat LB demands a heavy current from the start battery/alternator cuasing the voltage to drop and the relay to drop out.This cycle will then be repeated several time until the LB voltage is high enough to allow the relay to stay on. After start up the revs at tickover with A/C on is probably not high enough for the alternator voltage to activate the split charge relay ( if it has an adjuster try lowering the voltage at which it comes on) and with short runs the LB is not being charged enough, particularly if there is a current drain inbetween runs.
As I have said,I would check current drain with engine off and use a charger to fully charge the battery.
Or your battery is Knackered!

Hope these observations are of help!

Good luck solving your electrickery problem. Let us know what you find.
By the way loved your show at the Bongo Bash.

Manny

[missfixit70]

I'm suspecting goosed lb , too wet & windy to play at the moment, but I'll check to see if there're any current drains, but as it's used on a daily basis, I wouldn't have thought that'd be an issue.

The relay I could hear clicking on & off IS the split charging relay as I could still hear it when the relay switch was off.

[dandywarhol]

Any chance the vacuum idle speed doohicky isn't working when you switch on the a/c. The a/c will lower the idle speed revs and may not allow enough voltage to trip the lb relay into operation.............

[missfixit70]

Hm, maybe How would I check it for correct operation?
Seems to have charged ok today, took it on a good run, seems to be holding the charge ok, I sat there & took the blinds up & down & mirrors in & out for about 10 minutes & it seemed to hold at 12.27 v, but it was down below 10v this morning after not being driven yesterday I'll see what it's like tomorrow & investigate further.

[dandywarhol]

Lift the engine cover on the driver's side, switch on the a/c and you should see the throttle cable move by the vacuum servo which raises the revs to compensate for the load created by the a/c pump.