Bongo Fury

M 80NGD wrote:

francophile1947 wrote:

David Edwards wrote:Something funny happening on this here forum, lol, I did a message on this page this morning saying about a solar powered battery trickle charger I have ordered for £18.00 delivered from http://www.ryeness.co.uk, which would solve the problem of leaving the bongo for any length of time as I am in a similar position now that our youngest son is in uni and I find it more economical to use his nissan micra around town. Well it aint here so.. where the hell has it gone then..weird eh.

Link to Ryeness doesn't work

Hey up John,it's ryness,not ryeness. I've just googled it and there's a solar charger on there for £13.99

Thanks That's ruddy expensive - they're only £9.99 in Maplins and I got 2 for £9.99 at my local supermarket (obviously they couldn't shift them at £9.99 each )

helen&tony wrote:Hi David
Yes....me too....I missed an L in occasionally in the title....we're both fit for the scrap heap
Cheers
Helen

Are you cracking up Helen? - there's nothing wrong with it

Hi John
I looked earlier on, and there was only one L ....must be the eyesight going crazy......and, of course, I'm cracking up
Cheers
helen

helen&tony wrote:Hi John
I looked earlier on, and there was only one L ....must be the eyesight going crazy......and, of course, I'm cracking up
Cheers
helen

Or maybe an Admin edited it

Hi
Hel's "Ls" John....
Cheers
Helen

David Edwards wrote:Something funny happening on this here forum, lol, I did a message on this page this morning saying about a solar powered battery trickle charger I have ordered for £18.00 delivered from http://www.ryeness.co.uk, which would solve the problem of leaving the bongo for any length of time as I am in a similar position now that our youngest son is in uni and I find it more economical to use his nissan micra around town. Well it aint here so.. where the hell has it gone then..weird eh.

I've done this, but rather than have the panel on the dash for all to see, I've fitted it under the sun roof (if that's the correct term for it).

Hi Trev.
i've PMd you
Cheers
Helen

Hi. I'm obviously too late with this - but we only have one vehicle the Bongo and use it once or twice a month so it can stand for three weeks or so. Never had a problem. Always starts first time. But we do check every time we lock it that all switches are off even those that operate lights when you open doors. If in dooubt rather than buy a solar trickle charger - sounds like a boy toy - why not pick up one of those starter packs that fit in the cigarette lighter. car boot sale or Ebay.

I used to mothball my bongo over the winter during the frst couple of years of ownership,there were a few reasons for this, the main one being that it wasn't undersealed at the time,and i feared gettig caught on a gritted road,and the simple fact that the bongo was just an MPV back then,and used only very occasionally,so i'd declare it SORN for 6 months,but not forget about it,i'd not go a week without starting her up, running her to full operating temperature,aircon on&off,roof up&down etc etc.

For the storage period i'd inflate the tyres to 60 p.s.i, keep the fuel tank completely brimmed (in an effort to minimize condensation in the tank) work the bongo up and down the box to warm the gearbox,and slightly move her position on the tyres to spread the load over the period.

It didn't seem to cause her any undue stress And a VERY long drive would ensue as she was put back into commision.(after a full service of course)

keefysher wrote:
If your Bongo is being layed up at home or where there is a power supply two methods can be employed to ensure batteries don't run flat:

1 - If you have Hook Up with a Zig unit, just leave it hooked up.

2 - Get one of these 'DRAPER 63147, 12v BATTERY MASTER' always available on ebay, I got mine for £2.75. I use one almost permanently for a roadster I only use on fine days, after several years of running batteries flat, then trying to claim on the guarantee!! Halfords sussed I was taking the pee by claiming every year on a five year guarantee. It's like a mobile phone charger, but it only maintains the level of charge that is in the battery, not overchraging. My Brother in Law will be leaving his Bongo on my drive while in Oz & NZ for 6 weeks, so I'll connect it to the 240v supply on BessieBongo and keep BillyBongo charged.

BessieBongo is always connected to the mains when she is on the drive at home, saves probs on starting. Also, when people ask what she is we josh that it's an electric van, we pay no raod tax or congestion charge!!

I remember the thread keefy,i just couldn't remember who posted it...

Yep got the draper heavy duty power pack and a couple of others, (one in each car ) lol but I hope this solar trickle thing will just do enough to stop it running flat. Incidentally dont forget to periodically charge up the power pack either in the car socket when driving or via mains, they do lose charge as I found out one night. Happy motoring.

David Edwards wrote:Yep got the draper heavy duty power pack and a couple of others, (one in each car ) lol but I hope this solar trickle thing will just do enough to stop it running flat. Incidentally dont forget to periodically charge up the power pack either in the car socket when driving or via mains, they do lose charge as I found out one night. Happy motoring.

You may have a better experience in South Wales than I have had here. Its probably sunnier where you are, David, that up here in the Yorkshire Pennines

trevd01 wrote:I just wish I could find a suitable size breathable cover.

I visited the Camping & Caravanning Show at the NEC today and wandering around remembered this post when I saw the "Specialised Accessories" Stand.
http://www.caravancovers.com

Not a million miles away from you.... 1 & 2, Riverdale House, Dockfield Road, Shipley, BD17 7AD.

scanner wrote:

trevd01 wrote:I just wish I could find a suitable size breathable cover.

I visited the Camping & Caravanning Show at the NEC today and wandering around remembered this post when I saw the "Specialised Accessories" Stand.
http://www.caravancovers.com

Not a million miles away from you.... 1 & 2, Riverdale House, Dockfield Road, Shipley, BD17 7AD.

Thanks

When I first got the van I enquired at Protec, who are another Bradford firm that do custom covers. In 2006 the price quoted was £345. That's one reason I don't have one!

http://www.caravancovers.org.uk/vwcampers.html

I think he quoted about £250-270 today for one up to 5x2x2 metres