I'm not sure if this is an inherent problem or not with the Zig but since modifying the charging circuit on my unit (see http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=52930) the starter battery has not been losing charge.
It started first time with no problems the other day after being stood for well over two weeks during the cold weather wheras previously there would not have been enough juice left to turn it over.
Just makes me wonder if the Zig when wired up as per the instructions fractionally drains current from the starter battery over time.
Glad I didn't dash out and get a new battery now.
Zig unit problem?
Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior
Re: Zig unit problem?
I can't see anywhere in the previous thread where you say which ZIG unit you have ? They go from Zig Marque 1 thru to Zig CF9, they are all different ! Also the charging unit maybe separate from the Zig control panel, on the earlier models so if you know which one you have it might be relevant (but normally involves digging down to the unit to find out). If you have made modifications then it would help if you can explain just what has been changed ?
Geoff
2001 Aero V6, AFT, full side conversion.
2001 Aero V6, AFT, full side conversion.
Re: Zig unit problem?
It's a ZigCF9 Geoff. Came with the conversion.
I haven't modified the unit itself, just added the relay in as per thread so that the starter battery is charged as well as the leisure battery when on hook up.
This effectively means that the Zig unit has no direct connection to starter battery. Might be coincidence but since doing this I have not had any starter battery problems.
I haven't modified the unit itself, just added the relay in as per thread so that the starter battery is charged as well as the leisure battery when on hook up.
This effectively means that the Zig unit has no direct connection to starter battery. Might be coincidence but since doing this I have not had any starter battery problems.
Re: Zig unit problem?
OK well since getting our vehicle 4 years ago I've made a point of collecting as much Zig info as possible its available here http://www.g8dhe.net/bongo_images/zig/ however other than for the Zig Marque 1 there isn't a full circuit diagram of any of the units (the Marque 1 is so simple its hardly worth bothering with).
I can't believe there is an inherent design fault in the CF9 otherwise we would see many more reports of problems.
The main cause of grief is the one you have already found that when in the towing position the batteries are in parallel and its quite easy to flatten both ! Adding the relay as you have done is a good solution but adding the diode for belt and braces will mean that the S/B will never get fully charged as the diode will be dropping another 0.6v from the whatever the charging voltage is set at - probably around 13.6v.
As to what was causing the original drain on the S/B that's more difficult to say, it could be that the charger is allowing a significant reverse current to flow when its not powered, a lot of power supply designs don't cater for the fact that a battery might be directly across the output and hence don't ensure that there is a diode in the output lead and the regulation point is at the terminals themselves. Likewise it could actually be a fault in the charger with the main regulator having a high leakage current when un-powered. However this would also affect the L/B as well as the S/B.
I can't believe there is an inherent design fault in the CF9 otherwise we would see many more reports of problems.
The main cause of grief is the one you have already found that when in the towing position the batteries are in parallel and its quite easy to flatten both ! Adding the relay as you have done is a good solution but adding the diode for belt and braces will mean that the S/B will never get fully charged as the diode will be dropping another 0.6v from the whatever the charging voltage is set at - probably around 13.6v.
As to what was causing the original drain on the S/B that's more difficult to say, it could be that the charger is allowing a significant reverse current to flow when its not powered, a lot of power supply designs don't cater for the fact that a battery might be directly across the output and hence don't ensure that there is a diode in the output lead and the regulation point is at the terminals themselves. Likewise it could actually be a fault in the charger with the main regulator having a high leakage current when un-powered. However this would also affect the L/B as well as the S/B.
Geoff
2001 Aero V6, AFT, full side conversion.
2001 Aero V6, AFT, full side conversion.
Re: Zig unit problem?
Yes, I take the point about the diode Geoff but it's really just to make sure I don't flatten the SB after having a bad experience last year with it in France.
I'll plug the hook up in and see what voltage it is at the SB.
I'll plug the hook up in and see what voltage it is at the SB.