Auxiliary Battery

[Javelin1]

Hi all, I'm new here. I have just been looking through the forum & found lots of useful information as I have just bought my 1st Bongo.

I am considering fitting an auxiliary battery so that I dont drain the main battery at night whilst staying in it. However I am not quite sure of the implications this would have i.e. will tha alternator be enough to power both batteries?

Also if anyone already has one fitted, is it better to just fit the battery to act as an additional battery to power everything, or would it be better to have a relay fitted so that I can switch to the Aux battery when I'm pitched up.

Very confusing!

Look forward to hearing your answers.

[daveblueozzie]

you can get a kit from a bloke called willinton off ebay, it comes with everything you need including the split charge relay, it charges your leisure battery as you drive but stops your main battery from going flat overnight.

[apole]

Hi there,

A second battery is a good idea, you can camp without hookup and not flatten your engine battery.

Biggest you can fit in is a 110AH under the bonnet, 85AH is also quite common.

Its best to have a voltage sensing split charge relay, yes the alternator can cope.

You can then feed off interior circuits from the 2nd battery directly such as interior lights, cigarette lighters, blinds etc.

Do a search on the forums, there is plenty of info available.

[Javelin1]

Excellent, that's exactly the type of thing I am looking for as at present have to keep jumping over and turning on the ignition to put the blinds up to get out etc (not to mention having to jump start it a couple of times after leaving the stereo on!). I already have a battery ready to go in so all I need is a battery tray and the 'voltage sensing split charge relay' thing. Is it quite a job to do the electrics or is it better to ger anb auto-electrician to do it?

Hi there,

A second battery is a good idea, you can camp without hookup and not flatten your engine battery.

Biggest you can fit in is a 110AH under the bonnet, 85AH is also quite common.

Its best to have a voltage sensing split charge relay, yes the alternator can cope.

You can then feed off interior circuits from the 2nd battery directly such as interior lights, cigarette lighters, blinds etc.

Do a search on the forums, there is plenty of info available.

[missfixit70]

Do a search on "Leisure and Battery", should bring up loads of info. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-BONGO-FORD- ... dZViewItem on ebay at the moment from Willinton, easy to fit, good bit of kit & good back up, he can provide the tray to go in passenger side under the bonnet as well. Took me just over an hour to fit the tray & split charge kit, dead easy
Welcome to the forum

[missfixit70]

Put your location in your profile by clicking on "user control panel" top right of the screen, may be some local assistance if you're not sure

[madmile]

Doing it yourself is quite straight foward specially if you buy willintons kit and battery tray.
Its a a couple of hours work max.
Of course, an auto electrician or converter could do this for you and shouldnt really cost more than 2 hours labour plus parts.
If you put your location in your profile you may even find a member on the forum who will help you fit all you need.

[mister munkey]

This is what you need

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-BONGO-FORD- ... 240%3A1318

A sparky would be able to set it up pretty quickly but its a DIY job with a bit of time, patience & noddle.

Good luck!!

[daveblueozzie]

Beat me to it Kirsty. Willinton also does the battery trays so contact him via email.

[phil 1]

Hi
Have a look at these easy to follow instructions i managed to fit mine in about an hour.
Good luck
Phil
http://www.instructables.com/id/Fitting ... zda-Bongo/

[lizard]

This is what you need

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-BONGO-FORD- ... 240%3A1318

A sparky would be able to set it up pretty quickly but its a DIY job with a bit of time, patience & noddle.

Good luck!!

Beat me to it Kirsty. Willinton also does the battery trays so contact him via email.

This is a nice bit of kit, get the tray as well. Works a treat.

[mikeonb4c]

....and Welcome Javelin1

[MountainGoat]

Welcome Javalin1, I used to live in the Thriftwood part of Brentwood until 5 years ago when working in London. Now as for adding a leisure battery for camping the Willinton Intelligent Split Charging Wiring Loom is the best that you can get, I fitted mine in about 15mins with the aid of the written instructions and photos supplied. Willinton also makes trays on which to fit your leisure battery on.

For some reason which is beyond an electrophobe like me the Bongo does not like its alternator messed about with. My converter somehow fitted my leisure battery via the alternator and it gave me no end of grief. Always flattening the starter battery and blowing fuses, and needing a jump start to get the Bongo going. Since fitting the Willinton loom I have had no problems at all to date, one year on. Touch wood.

[dvisor]

Excellent, that's exactly the type of thing I am looking for as at present have to keep jumping over and turning on the ignition to put the blinds up to get out etc (not to mention having to jump start it a couple of times after leaving the stereo on!). I already have a battery ready to go in so all I need is a battery tray and the 'voltage sensing split charge relay' thing. Is it quite a job to do the electrics or is it better to ger anb auto-electrician to do it?

Hi - I'm with all the others on here that have recommended the Willinton kit. Mine arrived this morning, including battery tray, and by lunchtime it was all installed and working a treat. The instructions are very clear, and the kit is also top quality. Absolutely everything you need (apart from the battery itself) is included. Get the kit and you don't need an auto-electrician, as long as you can use a spanner. I reckon it took me about an hour. Would have been quicker if I hadn't left a spanner under the leisure battery