Wot buttons do wot

[boatysteve]

Hi new to the world of Bongos but enjoying the experience so far.
I have discovered what most buttons do by pressing them and seeing what happens.... but can anyone tell me what the button does to the right of the steering wheel next to the button that says "REAR" for the rear heater / cooler?
I realise that this may differ from Bongo to Bongo but some suggestions may give me a clue.

[ICB]

Hi Steve,

Sounds like the warm start button for the winter kit (extra battery, heavy duty starter motor, etc.), has it got a picture of an engine block on it?

It does something with a flap in the centre section of the exhaust to get the engine to heat through quicker. Pretty pointless in the UK really but the extra battery is a nice thing to have.

Cheers,

Paul

[francophile1947]

Hi Steve,

Sounds like the warm start button for the winter kit (extra battery, heavy duty starter motor, etc.), has it got a picture of an engine block on it?

It does something with a flap in the centre section of the exhaust to get the engine to heat through quicker. Pretty pointless in the UK really but the extra battery is a nice thing to have.

Cheers,

Paul

Nope - that's the button with the picture of an engine on it.
The "Rear" button just lets the rear heater controls work.

[boatysteve]

Thanks Paul

yes there is a picture of what I now realise is a engine, on the button.
hope I never need to use it, (at least I can stop pressing it now)

cheers

Steve

[boatysteve]

Thanks Keith
I don't have a conversion, however we do like to leave the fan on for the dog when we leave her in the Bongo during the hot weather and I'm worried about running the battery down.
When I bought the bongo she only came with one battery but there is a space for another battery and couple of leads with unused terminals. Should I add a starting battery or a leisure battery or go for something in between & will I need a split charger thingy type thing.

Steve

[bigdaddycain]

Hi steve, those spare terminals (that used to link your second battery) have been insulated haven't they?

[boatysteve]

Hi bigdaddycain,
no they arn't realy insulated but have been tied back so that they don't short out on the bodywork (would probably be safer connected to a battery)

cheers

Steve

[ICB]

Hi Steve

Ours had two identical and fairly new jap batteries fitted when we got it, not sure what Ah rating they've got, nothing special I don't suppose. Had split charge relay fitted + front and rear lighter sockets connected & recabled with 40A wiring before we collected the van.

Since then I've hooked the stereo into it (200W 2ch amp running the fronts, rears running off the headunit) and put a voltmeter and clock from a porsche 944 in the spare din slot (£10 the pair from e-bay) with a switch to activate the voltmeter so we can keep an eye on the charge. Didn't bother with the blinds and interior lights are all LEDs so no worries there either. We run a coolbox & fridge from the sockets when going along but the main fridge runs on gas when we're parked up (makes ice and provides warm air for drying out coats!). IMO 3-way fridges offer better value than the expensive compressor jobbies provided you're happy to run them in your awning and vent them properly. Also run a 300W inverter from the sockets for charging batteries, phones, satnav, etc. Lots of people have much more complex LB installs but this suits us.

You should be able to hook the blower up from the fuse box, lots of good threads on rewiring via the fuse box and people offering DIY kits for the whole deal. (I find this sort of work very easy and enjoyable compared to anything involving spanners!)

Cheers

Paul

[boatysteve]

Thanks Paul,
I'm stuck at work for another week but when I get off I think I'm gonna be itchin to get stuck in.

cheers

Steve