the electric panel confusion

[kenandnic]

Hi we have recently joined the Bongo madness and purchased our first Bongo and made our first trip. The nice man we purchased it from ran through the switches and electric panel with us but in our excitement we didn't write anything down and both thought the other one would remember
It has the external hook up and the internal leisure battery. Is it right that the 3 pin plugs will only work when external hook up is made? Our first trip we were hooked up but kept the i pod through the cigarette lighter on for a few hours and found ourselves with a flat battery in the morning. Managed to re charge enough to start. We are just confused as to what should be switched to what position and when? ie charger on/off, battery set to van or car , do we need any of the switches on when hooked up?
First trip did give us the bug for more and may even brave the winter season. Roll on next year and a europe adventure.
Also looking for roof bars to fit a roof box. I think the whole box should be removed before raising the roof but hubby thinks not. . . . any advice? Preferably that I am right !

[missfixit70]

You'll only get 240v (ie 3 pin plug) if you're plugged into 240v normally. You can get an inverter to step 12v up to 240v, but most stuff is best used on 12v ie chargers etc. anything beefy such as heaters, hairdryers etc would require a large inverter & would be such a large current draw, you'd have to run the engine while it was being used really.
Sounds like you either haven't got a seperate leisure battery or the ciggy sockets are still going thorugh the starter battery?
Empty roof box sould be ok to lift the roof, may need a little bit of help to lock out at the top.
Welcome to the forum.