Leisure batteries and charging

[JonWM]

On my previous Bongo the leisure battery seemed to be able to take a charge from the main engine battery through some wiring arrangement and a box (excuse my lack of knowledge on the terminology) connecting the two

On my latest the wiring to the leisure battery goes back into the body of the van - presumably to the mains socket/transformer area. Does this arrangement only allow charging when connected to the mains? If so then how can i get it to charge whilst travelling - presuming this isn't already happening but I just have a cr@p battery instead.

Also the battery doesn't seem to be holding a charge and after a few days from being charged from the mains then the radio doesn't come on and central locking doesn't work. What battery is recommended when i replace it, please.

[Dodgey]

Charging the leisure battery is done in two ways

Either you have a cable linking the two batteries positive wires, so the alternator charges both. The link cable goes via a relay so that the link is disconnected when the van is not running (to stop you draining the starter battery when parked up and using electricity for accessories). This is either done with a simple relay that is triggered via the alternator charging lamp wire, OR, with a Willington kit - which is the same really but it uses a voltage sensing circuit to make sure the link is only established once the starter battery is good itself.

Or... your mains hookup goes to a buidt in charger - usually a ZIG control panel or similar.

Just because you have a mains hookup does not nesc. mean you have charging too.

You say your battery goes flat after a few days of being on mains, yet you mention central locking doesn;'t work - central locking is not on the leisure battery.... I assume you mean the main starter battery. If you are charging it to full and then it dies after a few days then it's shot. check the fluid levels 1st though

[g8dhe]

The central locking control circuit may of course have been switched over to the Leisure battery (the actual power circuit is not normally switched over), along with the Radio, internal lights and Blinds.
The central locking control circuit is on this fuse;

along with many other circuits;
X03-8 10 Amp
30 Engine - Control System - WL-TAT
32 Engine - Control System Ignition - FE-E
38 Engine - Control System Ignition - J5-DE
82 Air conditioning - Auto A/C Control System & Heater - WL-T, FE-E, J5-DE
90 Chassis related - EC-AT Control System - FE-E, J5-DE
100 Interior lighting - Cargo Room & Spot Lights - WL-T, FE-E, J5-DE
102 Accessories - Audio System - WL-T, FE-E, J5-DE
104 Accessories - Car Navigation System - WL-T, FE-E, J5-DE
108 Body - Power Door Lock System - WL-T, FE-E, J5-DE
116 Body - Auto Free Top - WL-T, FE-E, J5-DE
124 Body - Sound Warning System - WL-T, FE-E, J5-DE

Its very common for the above fuse and the 3x15Amp fuses on the Top Row Right to be switched over.

[Dodgey]

Hmm - I know about the Willington kit bypassing fuse 1 (I have it), btu as far as the fuse board PDF goes (from here), Fuse 1 is cabin lights, and central locking is on fuse 16 of the bonnet fuse board?

[g8dhe]

The Factsheet is only the basic info.
Here is the Central Locking circuit, run your mouse over the fuses (in Green) for the fuse image;

The 10Amp Top Row Left protects the switching, the 30Amp Top row central(ish) protects the actual actuator power circuit.
The number preceding the table in the post above is the page of the Wiring Manual you will find the circuit shown on (1997 manual).
The Fuse 16 your referring to is the BTN fuse and that is higher up in the hierarchy and protects LOTS of other fuses and circuits see the system diagram below;

[Dodgey]

Cool - thanks - nice diagrams!

[g8dhe]

Full details here http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=36657
Its well worth clicking the Help button as Tips and Ideas are there as well. Just bear in mind the Years covered, we haven't yet found a suitable source of manual/data for post 1999