Page 1 of 2
Charge for fitting a split charge relay kit
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:05 pm
by Responder59
Having just purchased an 85 amp hour leisure battery and an intelligent voltage sensing split charge relay kit I have been quoted £75 plus VAT for fitting by a local auto electrical centre.
At present, the fridge is wired to the starter battery via a Zig marque 1 unit connected to the battery by one wire. I have asked for the interior lights to be wired to the zig.
£88 seems an awful lot of dosh for this job,but, if youse Bongotechs think it's reasonable I will book in the Bongo
regards,
Steve N415 PTL "The fastest Bongo in the west"

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:09 pm
by scanner
Do you really mean what it says in the title?
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:13 pm
by Responder59
Of course, 'er indoors wants to run a v******* off it!
But seriously,thanx for pointing out my Freudian slip!!!!
Steve

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:30 pm
by dandywarhol
Doesn't seem unreasonable for a professional service - how much would you pay to have your washing machine/computer/combi boiler repaired?
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:00 pm
by Responder59
I quite agree,I,m a fee charging professional myself.
It does seem a relatively easy bit of kit to fit. I,m going to try fitting it myself.
Watch this space!!

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:09 pm
by heatherpetch
lots of swearing involved then

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:20 pm
by dandywarhol
Remember to have the fire extinguisher handy.........

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:51 pm
by stringman
Sounds like a pretty reasonable quote to me. I do electrical work on cars for a living myself and having fitted a split charger to my own Bongo I would be quoting this sort of price to do the same for a customer
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 6:15 pm
by Responder59
SORTED!! 3hours 55 minutes, £88 saved.
Fairly straightforward,fitting instructions need to be followed exactly.
Heather, I will fit one for you if you like, when we're all friends again!!
Steve

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 6:47 pm
by mikeonb4c
Excellent Responder59. £88 saved and a taboo broken - you now know its not that hard. I spent a v long time putting of fitting one as I lacked confidence and experience. Then BF member corblimey porduced an idiots guide complete with bits to buy, and the job turned out to be incredibly simple. Since then ebay vendor willinton (who I like to think I prompted - we had a lengthy dialogue via email early this year) has brought out a kit with a heavy duty VSR and at an excellent price (is this what you bought?) which makes it simple for anyone (within limits!) to fit their own leisure battery.
When ready, BF member Pippin has produced an excellent guide on which wires to snip and reroute to make your blinds, radio etc. work of the LB but I've still not got around to that one (I'm a bit mixed anyway as I wouldnt want no electric blinds, radio etc when my LB goeas flat as it has done already on a couple of occasions). I also prefer not to snip but fit 'jumpers' - more fiddly but at least things can be reinstated more easily if need be.

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:42 pm
by heatherpetch
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:10 pm
by Responder59
I bought the kit on ebay from Raw Components 280167079366 It was expensive at £52 but everything needed was there, top quality and capable of carryng high amps. Fitting instructions were comprehensive, easy to understand and included an A3 colour plan of the layout.
It all went together smoothly and was an enjoyable 4 hours work.
Tools required, Crimping pliers, Phillips scewdriver, 10mm spanner, hot air gun for the heat shrink tubing, multimeter for testing finished assembly. A highly recommended kit.
Steve

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:46 am
by corblimey
Mike, if you patch your blinds etc to your LB (
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... hp?t=11189) you can always replace the original fuse in the event of a flat LB.
Best of three worlds then... no snipping, accessories on LB
and revert to SB if you flatten your LB.
BTW I moved over to one of Willinton's relays a while back so no more compromise re charging when flat; so much better.
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:53 am
by dandywarhol
Good news Responder - what are your thoughts on the £75 fitting charge?
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:53 am
by mikeonb4c
Yep I might do that CB although now I have a panel voltmeter fitted I know if I am in danger of blowing a fuse and can just put a jump lead across the + to + until the worst of the charging deficit is over. Its frustrating as I had a lengthy exchange of emails with willinton early this year and added my encouragement to him to produce a kit but needed to get something fitted before he came up with the goods. Damn!
