Problem with electrics

[stig444]

Ever since buying our Bongo 3 years ago we've never felt confident to camp even one night without hook up in case the battery went flat (it happened twice on site and we changed the main battery). That was with just lights and fridge. The Bongo has been garaged for the past few months so we haven't had to have the alarm system on (which we thought might have been quite a drain on the power). We then removed the Aldi radio (reputed to be a drain), and we've been monitoring both battery power levels since, over a couple of days with nothing switched on. We made sure we fully charged the leisure battery using hook up because we were going to the coast and wanted to use the fridge. When we got back the control unit showed the red LED, indicating that the leisure battery was low. The multimeter showed that the main battery was fully charged.

Testing various scenarios, we found after both batteries being fully charged, then unhooking and putting the fridge on, it was less than a day before the red LED showed. Also, with the hook up on the internal lights don't work. When taken off hook up, they do. We had had a new split charger fitted some months ago because of the batteries flattening when the Bongo hadn't been used for a week or two, but haven't been camping since, so we don't know how long this may have been happening. After taking it off hook up there is a delay of say 30 seconds then a little click then the lights come on (for test purposes only we had them switched to the on position).

Our bongo is an Imperial Moonfleet version if that helps and the control panel controls lights and water pump (there is no sound when I turn the tap on either. The tank is empty, but even so, I think it still used to make a little noise before of the pump trying to pump).

Other than telling us to take it to an electrical expert is there anything anyone can suggest might be at fault? It couldn't by any chance be that wandy aerial pointy thing sitting on the dashboard close to the windscreen on the drivers side that it says in the book is a temperature sensor could it? My husband is convinced it is, because he doesn't kknow of anyone else who has one!!

Thankyou.
Stigs other half, Barbara

[Poohbear]

With regard to the interior lights not working on hook up, there is a relay behind the dirvers seat which is covered by a little grey cover. This relay is fed by a red wire which comes from a switched supply on the split charging relay under the bonnet. The purpose of this relay is to stop the interior lights (LED downlighters) from working whilst the Bongo is moving which apparently is a legal requirement. If you have had the split charging relay changed maybe someone has done something to the wiring of this relay which has caused your problem.

The company who do the conversions for Imperial are called Autovan Services: -
http://www.autovan.co.uk/ If you speak to Mick he is very helpful.

You may find this thread useful also http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=48751 as I identify what the fuses are that are also located behind the drivers seat.

You shouldn't run the pump with an empty tank because it could damage the seals. When we got our Bongo the pump leaked quite badly into the cupboard work and we had to replace it. They are quite easily available from camping and caravan shops. It may also be worth checking the microswitch on the tap which switches the pump on and off as you operate the lever on the tap.

[stig444]

Thank you very much for your help. Firstly we're going to talk to the garage where the split charge relay was fitted so that they can look into it. Hopefully it will be something simple so that at last we can try an overnight campout without worrying that the batteries will go flat by morning! Up to now we've always used sites with hookup and taken the van out every day for a run to make sure the battery gets charged but we'd like to feel we can be a bit more relaxed about it all. We'll let you know how we get on.


Barbara