Bongo Fury

I dunno if this applies to everybody, and to individuals requirements... Personally i don't start the engine whilst the coolbox is still plugged in, i have no idea why, except i have an inkling that the interrupted power flow to the C/B upon engine start up isn't particularly good for it. (that may well be completely unfounded, but it's a habit that i've adopted).

Again, on a personal note, i prep my coolbox before loading it, i leave it switched on overnight at home via the mains,with a couple of those frozen freezer block slabs in the base for good measure. Then upon loading time, the coolbox is switched off, the freezer blocks left in the bottom (two fit snugly alongside each other in the bottom of the coolbox) Then the coolbox is loaded up deftly to minimise temp loss. The coolbox is then loaded into the bongo, engine started, then plugged in via the ciggy socket to maintain a cool temp. Upon reaching the destination, i unplug the coolbox, and won't open the lid unnecessarily. When i DO open the lid, i switch the coolbox back on again for half an hour or so to compensate for the lid being opened. This method minimises power loss from the L/B i reckon!

Dandy? The white deposits on the battery terminals... Isn't that common when the terminals are dry? I've had it happen in the past with other cars, and used the excellent method you described earlier to remove the deposits(slightly cooled boiled water, Coke works too ) Then applied a generous amount of copperslip to lubricate the terminals, which stopped the white deposits from returning, or was i merely masking another problem?

Mmmmmmmmm - could be but usually it's seeping past the posts - coppaslip (or petrolium jelly, Vaseline to the commoners ) works better - maybe it sealed the post

Thanks Ste - I agree its the starting the engine that causes the problem. If I start the engine, then run round and plug in there is no problem. There is also no problem if I don't start the engine at all. I also put about 6 ice packs in mine each weekend I used uit which is what allows me to only actually run the cool box for a few hours here and there. As a veggiie this causes no real problems as there is no meat or fish in there anyway.

mobilecat wrote:Thanks Ste - I agree its the starting the engine that causes the problem. If I start the engine, then run round and plug in there is no problem. There is also no problem if I don't start the engine at all. I also put about 6 ice packs in mine each weekend I used uit which is what allows me to only actually run the cool box for a few hours here and there. As a veggiie this causes no real problems as there is no meat or fish in there anyway.

As long as the wiring is substantial enough you could uprate the fuse you haven't mentioned the rating of yet

dandywarhol wrote:

mobilecat wrote:Thanks Ste - I agree its the starting the engine that causes the problem. If I start the engine, then run round and plug in there is no problem. There is also no problem if I don't start the engine at all. I also put about 6 ice packs in mine each weekend I used uit which is what allows me to only actually run the cool box for a few hours here and there. As a veggiie this causes no real problems as there is no meat or fish in there anyway.

As long as the wiring is substantial enough you could uprate the fuse you haven't mentioned the rating of yet

Tis a yellow one!

If this is one of the TWO fuses which link the batteries together via the charging relay then a Yellow mini fuse is 20 Amps and yes it will likely blow, however before you uprate it can you check the current rating on the relay, most are at least 30 Amps sometimes 40 Amps, so provided your wiring is also suitable for 30 Amps then you could uprate the fuse to 30 Amps. I wouldn't go above that unless I knew for certain that everything can handle 30 Amps.
Do make sure you have two fuses one from each battery to the relay, otherwise you could go up in Smoke and flames as smiliarly reported in this thread.

g8dhe wrote:If this is one of the TWO fuses which link the batteries together via the charging relay then a Yellow mini fuse is 20 Amps and yes it will likely blow, however before you uprate it can you check the current rating on the relay, most are at least 30 Amps sometimes 40 Amps, so provided your wiring is also suitable for 30 Amps then you could uprate the fuse to 30 Amps. I wouldn't go above that unless I knew for certain that everything can handle 30 Amps.
Do make sure you have two fuses one from each battery to the relay, otherwise you could go up in Smoke and flames as smiliarly reported in this thread.

I dont think it 'links' the batteries but I will double check. There is only one fuse that I ever need to check or change.