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Removing second battery
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:21 pm
by The wheelybins
Hi all, I was looking to install a leisure battery to my van, it has a second battery but reading the factsheets I presume this is for starting in cold parts of japan. The wiring seems to go towards the main battery but not connect to it, but dissapear into the loom. Is this a major job.
Your suggestions would be gratefully recieved Russ
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:24 pm
by francophile1947
They're only connected by a thick cable between the positive terminals - it runs across the top of the large black air intake.
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:37 pm
by The wheelybins
Hi John, it doesn't seem to but I will have have another look tommorow and I will get back to you for further advice if you don't mind (my mechanic has the key

, as I have recently bought it but I am having problems with oil leaks
Many thanks Russ
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:39 pm
by francophile1947
Anytime mate - the cable is wrapped in a hard corrugated plastic tube. If you haven't got this cable, maybe it's already a leisure battery.
Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 1:11 pm
by BONGOBIKER
I'm trying to achieve the same thing Russ, the cable goes into a loom but then dissapears towards the engine i'm not sure if both are wired to the starter motor or anything like theat.
I thought it would be a simple job but on reflection
I'm confused!
Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:45 pm
by francophile1947
BONGOBIKER wrote:I'm trying to achieve the same thing Russ, the cable goes into a loom but then dissapears towards the engine i'm not sure if both are wired to the starter motor or anything like theat.
I thought it would be a simple job but on reflection
I'm confused!
Just remove both the positive and negative leads from the second battery(passenger side) - it will work fine with just one battery (providing it's powerful enough to start the car). Obviously you need to insulate the positive lead, unless you are connecting it to your leisure battery.
Starter motor
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 8:52 am
by Leah&John
I've also got the 'winter pack' with dual batteries - it's even got a sticker saying that the batteries are connected in parallel.
BUT I think i read on here that the winter pack also has a larger capacity (power use) starter motor. So my question is - is one battery enough to drive the bigger motor reliably?
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 9:10 am
by jimsmimm
loads of winter pack bongos have had their 2nd battery converted to a leisure battery without any hint of problem ...including mine..... the power of a battery drops off as the temperature drops the idea is if this happens the out put from two batteries will be enough to turn the engine over....
Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:29 pm
by BONGOBIKER
But to convert the 2nd battery what do you do with all that existing wiring that goes into that big loom between the batteries?
Iv'e got the split charge kit can is there some way i can tap into the wires that are already there seen as they are already connected together?
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:28 am
by francophile1947
BONGOBIKER wrote:But to convert the 2nd battery what do you do with all that existing wiring that goes into that big loom between the batteries?
The only wire from the second battery, that goes into the loom, is the main positive cable between the batteries - you just either remove it or insulate the battery clamp. You are trying to make it more complicated than it actually is.
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:42 pm
by The wheelybins
Hi John, sorry so long for the delay but no need for the info on the second battery anymore! My bongo has gone back

but I have a new one from a different dealer but unfortunately it doesn't have a second battery.
Anyway thanks for your help Russ