Newbie help.....

[Lostintransit79]

I just bought a bongo, full conversion, hook up "n"all, no idea how to use the electrics though!!

I seem to have the fridge running but it's on the leisure battery and I want it on the hook up. What buttons need to be where on the panel for me to have it working right?

Charger supply off? Or on?

Battery selector car? Off? Or van?

My phone is on charge so the leccy is on, but the fridge doesn't make a sound unless the battery selector is on van......

Sadly on this site there is no one with a bongo to run to for help!! Anything you guys can tell me would be amazing!!

[g8dhe]

Welcome !
To help with the electrics you will need to tell us who did and which type of conversion, there all different!

However in general, the fridge will indeed run from the L/B and the Electrical Hook Up (EHU) will have a charger built in to charge the battery when static, when mobile then you will probably have some form of Split Charge Relay which will charge the L/B from the alternator.
Chances are you may have a ZIG control unit if so then visit here http://www.g8dhe.net/bongo_Images/zig/ you will also find the PMS3 unit (similar to a Zig unit)

[Lostintransit79]

No idea who did the conversion and the previous owner didn't know, I know, not much help eh?

It's a PMS3 unit if that makes a difference, I checked out your link (thanks!!) but kinda need advice as to did I read it right.

It looks like it should be charger supply on and battery selector to van for the fridge to run and the battery to be charged by the mains.....am I right???

Sorry for being a total doughnut but the guy I bought if off knew less than me about it hence an excellent bargain for me but no ability and knowledge to do anything but drive it.

[g8dhe]

Yup, that's right Charger ON and select VAN when on an EHU that way the battery will be charged whilst static but should the supply fail then you will carry on running from the battery.
On site when using the EHU you will also need to make sure the the RCD switch is in the ON position and the same with the MCB's for each mains circuit, as otherwise you won't have mains to the charger itself!

If you can get some photo's up of the van inside and out, there would be a good chance that others on the forum will be able to tell you who most likely did the the conversion and anything else that might be relevant

[Lostintransit79]

Again so appreciative of the help but RCD?? MC.....what?!?!?!?

Really need it broken down in to almost Phonetics for me to understand....

Will try get pictures up after this trip.

[g8dhe]

OK sorry, Residual Current Detector - RCD - Safety device it watches the current in the Live wire and if it doesn't all flow back via the Neutral wire then it trips out as some part of the current will be flowing to earth via something it shouldn't be!!!
Its the slightly large toggle on the top row on the left, it breaks both the Live and Neutral wires. It should also have a TEST button to allow you to test that it does work as well.
Miniature Circuit Breaker - MCB - replaces fuses, you have three of them each (normally), one for the sockets, one for Lighting, and one for the Charger/fridge.

When your on a campsite the Electrical Hook Up -EHU- the post you plug into should have a similar arrangement, one RCD and a single MCB for your outlet, if you try to exceed the current allowed 10/16 Amps then that will trip out and will need resetting, it may be switched off one you first arrive as well.

[Lostintransit79]

Got you now, think that's all good, issue now is, the fridge has been on fine all night, seems to be off now and I have not changed anything about it.

Battery condition is normal/high range, charger supply is on....did I break it?? Lol

[g8dhe]

If its a compressor fridge then the motors won't be running all the time, there is the compressor motor and a fan motor, they come on about 1 minute in 4 depending on how warm it is outside and how cool it is inside!
If its a coolbox then that's a different matter altogether, it needs a continuous supply and will drain a leisure battery inside a day.

[Lostintransit79]

Yeah It was doing the on and off thing all last night but now it's not doing it at all, it's a proper fridge. I might just take it to a place that does conversions and get them to teach me how to use it, I am hopeless.

I really do appreciate your help though it was handy last night to be able to flip the switches correctly.

[g8dhe]

Most compressor fridges will have a dial inside, if you put that to Max. it should come on no matter what - just to check it. Otherwise its check the fuses and any extra switches that might be included in the circuit, they will also NOT come on if the volts fall to low (saves killing the battery) however any dirty/corroded connections etc. will also cause the same low volts so its worth checking and cleaning any fuses or any visible connections in the wiring (probably not many at all).