Socket at back left of the bongo

[dante231]

Hello.

So we got ourselves a bongo. Drove it 100 miles today and in love. Hopefully it stays that way.

We have a couple of questions.

There is a 12v socket at the back of the camper. It looks like it has 2 prongs. What is this for?

We have a rear side conversion with hook up but there is nowhere to plug in a 12v cooler. Could I use this socket for that.

2nd question!

The aircon is a bit naff. Should I just be happy that is blows slightly cool air?

3rd and final question for the moment. There is no insect net at the top. My wife is good at sewing, is it easy to take off or is there a guide on how to fix a new one.

Thanks and we will becoming members asap.

[g8dhe]

There is normally a 12 volt cig. type socket at the nearside towards the rear, but they are often replaced by an internal Inverter unit which gives out 110V, some retain the 12 volt socket as well it seems. It sounds like you have one with the inverter fitted - whilst it can be used as a lot of equipment now have power packs that will handle 100-250v AC, you might prefer to remove it as they have also been known to fail and flatten the battery that powers them!

Be a bit wary of Cooler Boxes, the cheaper variety will draw a continuous 4-5Amps which will again flatten any L/B inside 12 hours Small compressor fridges are a lot more efficient drawing an average of about 1 Amp and a L/B will keep it going for 3+ days or so.

Air Con. should be very effective, it probably just needs re-gassing and the filters and cooling matrix cleaned up, not a difficult job, do a search on the forum and you will find several threads describing how do go about cleaning them. Re-gassing is best done by a local firm, they are often mobile we found one on the web who worked out from local to us and he checked re-gassed and tested for about £60.

[dante231]

Wow thanks.

The light for the aircon is on, but when on the 4th blower level the light goes off. I will get an aircon person out but will have a go and cleaning filters first ets.

I was thinking of one of these. Mainly for when we get to a campsite.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dometic-Waeco-M ... o+mobicool

But also to run whilst traveling.

Thanks for your help.

[dante231]

Ok I found a similar post and it is alone the lines of

"Aircon is working on 1,2,3 and the light is on but the fans are not really blowing. Then I turn it to 4 and the light turns off on the aircon and the fans blow.

The fan is not the electronic system, the manual controlled version.

[wonkanoby]

you will find a faq about soldering the control unit in members area

[g8dhe]

If the air con light goes out on the high speed fan setting then I think you may find it does need re-gassing, the controller has a pressure and temp. sensor that cuts off the compressor when its outside its limits.

[dante231]

Thanks. Have found a guy who can hopefully regas a bongo on check a trade. Seems good so far and will travel.

C

[Dr Fingers]

Wow thanks.

The light for the aircon is on, but when on the 4th blower level the light goes off. I will get an aircon person out but will have a go and cleaning filters first ets.

I was thinking of one of these. Mainly for when we get to a campsite.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dometic-Waeco-M ... o+mobicool

But also to run whilst traveling.

Thanks for your help.

For much the same money get the 3-way version, 12v 230v and LPG..

Derek

[bongojoe]

There is normally a 12 volt cig. type socket at the nearside towards the rear, but they are often replaced by an internal Inverter unit which gives out 110V, some retain the 12 volt socket as well it seems. It sounds like you have one with the inverter fitted - whilst it can be used as a lot of equipment now have power packs that will handle 100-250v AC, you might prefer to remove it as they have also been known to fail and flatten the battery that powers them!

I have the double unit g8hde mentions above - a little door which opens to expose a normal 12v cigarette lighter socket and a US-style two-prong 110v outlet. There's an inverter behind the panel which steps the voltage up.

When I moved the radio, lights, 12v sockets over to my leisure battery, I did find the inverter drew quite a lot of power even with nothing plugged in and drained the battery in a short period of time. My solution was to add a switch onto the supply side of the inverter, so I can switch it on on the odd occasion I want to use it to plug in a camera battery charger or laptop - both of which it seems to do perfectly well.

[cavey]

Wow thanks.

The light for the aircon is on, but when on the 4th blower level the light goes off. I will get an aircon person out but will have a go and cleaning filters first ets.

I was thinking of one of these. Mainly for when we get to a campsite.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dometic-Waeco-M ... o+mobicool

But also to run whilst traveling.

Thanks for your help.

For much the same money get the 3-way version, 12v 230v and LPG..

Derek

Yup, we've got one of the Towsure ones for when we're tent camping. It's ace, although will get through a 907 in around 10 days.

[dante231]

OK, got the aircon regassed. Guy said it was empty. Now is full.

However, still now aircon. The fan is only really working on 4.

The engine does sound like it is doing more work when the aircon light is on, but nothing...

Will have a look at fact sheets.

[g8dhe]

If the fan ONLY works on the 4 setting (this sounds like the electronic version) then the transistor unit has blown, due to a corroded fan motor most likely. Remove the air scoop from the top of the radiator and continue down to the fan, it should spin nice and smoothly when flicked with a finger, if it doesn't then it needs to be taken out, cleaned and lubricated and reinstalled. Then the transistor module needs repairing or replacing, the transistor is easily available on EBAY its a 2SD1525 see here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2SD1525-TOSHI ... 1e7f4ac15a
or see one of the usual breaker suspects like George @ Bongo Spares for a complete unit.

Ah just seen that your not the Electronic version, in which case its the same up to replacing the transistor, then its a case of take the resistor module out and re-solder the thermal fuses that protect the system, they can be seen down the side and will have melted and popped out!

[dante231]

Thanks.

So I should just resolder the little bits on the side... Wish me luck!

[g8dhe]

yes but FIX the motor first otherwise they will just blow again ...

[dante231]

OK where is the motor... Fancy come to Beckenham I have cold beer.

I knew I should have become a mechanic!