How Many Volts

[haydn callow]

That does seem low and I agree a new battery could sort it...The LCA seems to detect this.

[mikeonb4c]

I know you've got what you need, but mine was 13.8

When i turn my ignition on my lca slowly fades out in a kind of wimpy strangulated bleep sound, rather than a good 'manly' BLEEP. It also occasionally lets out a little chirp just after starting up.


Could it be my battery has seen better days? It wouldn't surprise me if it had, it's japanese and the bongo's been over here for about 3 years now I think.

Phil

Just did mine (finally remembered!) at tickover, fans+aircon switched off, and I'm relieved to read your post Phil. I got 13.8v too. And just as a reminder of how questionable the accuracy of voltmeters just slapped on elsewhere with a bit of wiring can be (not bothered t test if its the device or wiring issues), my DIY panel mounted one, taped off the LB, only showed 12.37v at the same time. Oh well, at least it tells me if my VSR is kicking in OK after start up, plus an indication of state of LB in use. Plus it looks the biz.

[dandywarhol]

If 13.8 is the charging voltage - you need to see whats in the battery with the engine (and everything else off) before you condemn it. It may be the alternator not producing the correct output!

Only proper way to check the battery is to use a hydrometer in each cell once fully charged and a small amount of surface discharge is taken off by switching on headlights for about 5 seconds with the engine off.

[mikeonb4c]

If 13.8 is the charging voltage - you need to see whats in the battery with the engine (and everything else off) before you condemn it. It may be the alternator not producing the correct output!

Only proper way to check the battery is to use a hydrometer in each cell once fully charged and a small amount of surface discharge is taken off by switching on headlights for about 5 seconds with the engine off.

My thoughts too, though I'm happy to assume my batteries (esp the starter one) are fine so maybe the alternator isn't working as well as it could/should (lets face it unless you happen to test, the first you know of it is when the dash warning light comes on showing its kaput). Out of interest, what would casue an alternator to be fine but down on output? Or have we by chance got a load of test 14.2v figures off N Japan Bongos (assuming they have a beefier alternator)?

[francophile1947]

Or have we by chance got a load of test 14.2v figures off N Japan Bongos (assuming they have a beefier alternator)?

Afraid not Mike - mine's a non-winter jobbie.

[haydn callow]

Any battery depot will "drop" test your battery for you FOC

[dandywarhol]

A diode could be fault- you can usually just buy a diode pack. Shouldn't matter whether the vans from north japan or timbuktoo - the regulator will still regulate to a set voltage

[mikeonb4c]

A diode could be fault- you can usually just buy a diode pack. Shouldn't matter whether the vans from north japan or timbuktoo - the regulator will still regulate to a set voltage

Thanks Dandy. Interestingly, I have Harry's old alternator (not that old - it was only used for 9 months) that I bought off him, so might sneak a peek at that. Is the diode pack housed in the main alternator unit?

[Bored Lizard]

Haydn,
Sorry for the delay mine is 14.36v with a calibrated meter and everything off, hope this is of help.
Did also discover that my split charge fuse is blown so now need to investigate, lesure battery reading 10.02v and the radio etc still working, looks like a job for sunday.

Cheers
Mark

[ex25er]

hmm... mentioned it to neighbour who's an RAC man. He reckons that 13.8 is ok. On the lower side of ok, but ok still and not to worry about it. He reckoned 13.5 - 14.5 was pretty normal. Anything less than 12 and you've definitely got a problem!

I'll just leave it as it is for now I think!

Phil

[dandywarhol]

A leisure battery automatic split charge relay would have problems operating at 13.5v

[BongoMTBer]

A leisure battery automatic split charge relay would have problems operating at 13.5v

Mine never goes above 13.9 volts and whenever I am running the cool box with then engine running, the split charge relay clicks in and out every 10 or 15 seconds.

The leisure battery is fairly new and when it charges off my mains charger on hook-up it goes to around 14.2 v.

I wonder if it is the main battery or the alternator that is dragging mine down? It certainly is causing issues with the split charge though. I will have to try starting the engine and then disconnecting the battery with the engine still running and test the alternator output.

[haydn callow]

I always test my alternator output at the alternator.

[phedders]

Haydn,
Will check tommorow now that I have my calibrated meter back from work and will let you know readings.
Am interested to know why you want to get a reasonably accurate average tho.

Cheers
Mark

We are Looking at a future new circuit design for the Bongo LCA.
Just curious what the voltage window is.
Seems to be about 14.1v to 14.7v

I think we have what we need now......BIG thanks to all of you.

Will you tell us what you modify? My LCA does twitter and chirp every now and then... and if you've worked out a sensible tweak or two I'd love to modify mine..

[haydn callow]

Haydn,
Will check tommorow now that I have my calibrated meter back from work and will let you know readings.
Am interested to know why you want to get a reasonably accurate average tho.

Cheers
Mark

We are Looking at a future new circuit design for the Bongo LCA.
Just curious what the voltage window is.
Seems to be about 14.1v to 14.7v

I think we have what we need now......BIG thanks to all of you.

Will you tell us what you modify? My LCA does twitter and chirp every now and then... and if you've worked out a sensible tweak or two I'd love to modify mine..

If your LCA "twitters and cheeps" it is almost certainly caused by a loose connection in the LCA wiring or a voltage fluctuation in your Bongo.......LCA's either work or not.....the only fault ever to come to light with the LCA's is a batch of faulty buzzers which got through the net.....If one of these turns up....your buzzer will die but the LED will work perfectly....all reported faulty Buzzers have been/will be instantly replaced with new units.