Bongo Fury

Hi

We are due to pick up our bongo next week from JAL, its going to have a side conversion.

I broke down down today in my other car and the AA man (very complimentary about bongos... watch your coolant....ect) got talking about leisure batterys and gave me a lot to think about.

I had this vision of driving along a country road, pulling over flicking the kettle on and the kids sittting at the table on their laptop and playstation all very happy.

But the AA man explained that the bongo will only run off a 12v battery and appliances will be limited. He explained that I could only use the tv and playstation when I am hooked up.

He said the hook up would be connected to probably a four gang plug for use at the camp site.

He did say I could get an inverter fitted but need to watch the juice as they eat it up.

So I have got some very silly questions sorry.

1. What is the nice plug socket on the unit for? is this only 12v when not hooked up?
2. Does this socket turn into a 240v when hooked up?
3. What can I run thats 12v?
4. Would it be better to run things off the cigarette charger. I know you can buy travel DVD combos.
5.Should I get an inverter?

I now know 5 times more about batterys but I am still confused.


I did do a search but any links or information would be great.

Many thanks

Travis

1) If it looks like a 13A socket, it's 240V and can only be used when on hook-up.
2) See above.
3) Lights, radio and lots of LCD TVs are 12V - there's usually a transformer in the power lead (I use a 15" TV/DVD from the battery).
4) Only if it's wired to your leisure battery.
5) Depends if you are going to do a lot of wild camping. Using an inverter is inefficient and uses loads of battery power.

Thanks a lot

My other plan was to use my mp3 dock that has speakers in it.

It has a mains plug and a transformer on the back it says 12.6v DC in

Could I run this off the cigarette socket?
How will I know if the ciggie lighter is attached to the leisure battery?

I think I will leave an inverter and concentrate on power saving things...

Cheers

Travis

Travis wrote:My other plan was to use my mp3 dock that has speakers in it.

It has a mains plug and a transformer on the back it says 12.6v DC in

Could I run this off the cigarette socket?
How will I know if the ciggie lighter is attached to the leisure battery?

MP3 shouldn't be a problem at all

Ask your converter Probably works without the ignition on if powered by LB

One more thing John

When you run 12v appliances where do you run them from? The ciggie lighter?

Travis

Travis wrote:One more thing John

When you run 12v appliances where do you run them from? The ciggie lighter?

Travis

Yes If you can't find any separate power leads in your local accessory shop, just get a cheap fan, or similar, and use the lead from that.

Great so that mp3 dock will run off the ciggie lighter if I get a lead that fits?it says 12.6 v DC on the back.

Travis

h'm working on my install at the moment, where i aiming to make my dvd, plus screens and 5.1 cinema all run from the second battery.
i've brought myself a 55a/h optima battery this should allow me to run one to two films parked at the side of the road if it works out right.
once i have all my bit i will be starting a post to should my progress from start to finish.

Don't forget the FAQs section on this board (click on "Board Index" link and you'll see all the sections on the forum). Lots of links to frequently asked questions (as the name would suggest) including leisure batteries.

Look http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =43&t=7499