Fuses under seat

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uncle monty
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Fuses under seat

Post by uncle monty » Sat Jan 11, 2014 6:52 pm

Hi there, the fuses that are located under the passenger seat, can anyone tell me what they are for please? I seem to have two missing......They are next to what looks like some kind of heat sink? Tried to insert a photo but I haven't worked out how to do that yet...!

Thanks,
Jon
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Re: Fuses under seat

Post by wonkanoby » Sat Jan 11, 2014 7:24 pm

do you mean in engine bay or actually below the seat
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Simon Jones
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Re: Fuses under seat

Post by Simon Jones » Sat Jan 11, 2014 7:27 pm

Front passenger seat? There's barely enough room for a fag packet under there and certainly no wiring there by default. If its rear seat, then it's likely to be an after market amp which could probably safely be removed.

Info on how to add photos: http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =42&t=9285
uncle monty
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Re: Fuses under seat

Post by uncle monty » Sat Jan 11, 2014 7:35 pm

Sorry I wasn't very clear, it is in the engine bay, bolted to the side of the van alongside the rubber hose used for bleeding the cooling system. It is accessed by lifting the passenger seat, that is what i was meaning.
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Simon Jones
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Re: Fuses under seat

Post by Simon Jones » Sat Jan 11, 2014 7:45 pm

Is the heatsink quite small? About the size do of an AA battery?
uncle monty
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Re: Fuses under seat

Post by uncle monty » Sat Jan 11, 2014 7:52 pm

No, more like half the size of an egg box. Once the kids are in bed I will try and suss out how to post a photo.... lol
uncle monty
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Re: Fuses under seat

Post by uncle monty » Sat Jan 11, 2014 8:45 pm

Image

Bloody hell it worked!! This is what i was trying to describe.
francophile1947
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Re: Fuses under seat

Post by francophile1947 » Sat Jan 11, 2014 8:55 pm

I guess you'll have to trace the wiring - it's certainly not a standard fit on a Bongo and looks like a DIY job :?
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Simon Jones
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Re: Fuses under seat

Post by Simon Jones » Sat Jan 11, 2014 9:02 pm

Looks like a poorly installed split charge diode: http://coastalrides.co.uk/electronics/s ... t-d-90-amp
uncle monty
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Re: Fuses under seat

Post by uncle monty » Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:06 pm

Simon Jones wrote:Looks like a poorly installed split charge diode: http://coastalrides.co.uk/electronics/s ... t-d-90-amp
Hmmm this is interesting, there is a diagram on the side of the diode in that picture which shows the alternator wired to one of the three posts. On mine the alternator is wired into a relay, then a cable that leads to the leisure batt. Only two posts of the diode in my circuit have wires connected to them, the third has nothing attached to it.

My electrical knowledge is terrible, sorry if i sound dim but does this sound right? See photo below, please excuse my slippers....

Secondly, I checked the fuses in the box next to the diode, the main 30A fuse is fine, but all the 10A fuses apart from one are blown. There is also a yellow fuse at the bottom which is ok, and one slot under the 30A fuse that is empty.

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uncle monty
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Re: Fuses under seat

Post by uncle monty » Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:32 pm

Also I forgot to add, I measured about 14V from the starter battery with engine running, but the leisure battery never showed more than 10.5V. Is this just a dead battery or is my dual charging system well in need of some TLC....?
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Simon Jones
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Re: Fuses under seat

Post by Simon Jones » Sun Jan 12, 2014 10:00 pm

Well, if it were me, I'd rip it all out and start again. That way, you will have a reliable split charge which is wired safely with suitable fuses and that can be fixed should there be any issues. I don't like the idea of having those 3 threaded metal studs with live 12v knocking around where the could all too easily be shorted on to the chassis or engine. That fuse box is not designed to be mounted in a damp, exposed location under the van and the connections will be prone to high resistance with corrosion / oxidation.

A decent auto electrician or caravan repair centre will be able to sort it all out so you have a proper efficient solution.
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