Bongo Fury

This perhaps follows on from http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=30648

I was wondering what precisely determines whether or not the AFT will lower all the way?
It usually takes me three or four attempts to lower the roof, after gently tucking the tent in from the outside (with a broom handle), opening the zips to allow air to escape, and opening the sliding door to allow trapped air to escape as well.

I have just fitted a nice fleecy tent liner, and this (presumably) doesn't make it any easier!!

I was wondering if anyone has discovered the secret to lowering the roof in one go? I have never had this pleasure! I don't even know where a sensor might be located, which tells the Bongo whether or not the roof section is clear.

Doe anyone have the answer please?

There are 4 limit switches which operate in various positions;
2 at the front which sense when the roof is fully lowered, they are a pair for safety, both must operate.
1 half way up the nearside, this senses the lowering off the roof and causes it to pause for you to check that everything is clear.
1 at the Top offside, that senses the full extent of the roof.
The switches are micro- switches with a little mechanical rod that is pressed as the slider passes them, someone put this little drawing together;


We normally find that any lowering problems are due to the amount of stuff we store up there! Anything more than 6" worth of foam and you will have problems, also anything up the front more than about 4" deep as there is the least leverage to compress things is the common cause for us - a spare sock / te shirt / towel etc!

You shouldn't have to bother with broom handles, etc... When it stops halfway down, pop your head inside - grab the horizontal stiffener that is stitched into the front panel and pull it towards you. The tent should then nicely fold on top of it and roof will should down without issue. Doesn't matter if the zips are closed. As you have to be in the back anyway to reach up for the lock cancel button, just leave the side door open, or even just open a crack.

I understood that there are two switches at the front n/s and o/s that detect when the roof is down and the two at the back detect when the roof is fully up. I know this because I was probing the connector in under the back of the lid while my mate went round the van tickling the microswitches.

There's a couple of things that can go wrong with the microswitches - the microswitch plunger marked in Geoff's picture should have a little plastic cap on it. Mine doesn't and I had to carefully wrap the lever in tape in addition to bending it to get it to activate the plunger. Replacements are available from Farnell/RS etc... but US stock and are >£15 each.

Your right Matt I reversed front/back!

I also thought the carriage slid between the rubber bush bit and the microswitch lever - actuating the microswitch lever directly...? Could be wrong. It's been two years since I poked around up there.

Thanks, guys.

Does this mean that the motors always stop when the roof is half-way down and the roller hits the microswitch mid-way through its travel? If it doesn't continue to lower after that, then perhaps this mid-way switch is the source of the problem?

There is nothing worse than being on a campsite, with the beeper annoying the neighbours until the roof is fully lowered!

No I'm pretty sure its pushes the sprung rod/button/bush and that then pushes the micro-switch, the spring lever is a bit delicate for the travelling bit to operate direct!
Its to late to edit the message now, I'm not a mod on this section!

No when it hits the middle switch the Beeping stops (thinks pretty sure it does) whilst you check you than have to operate the power switch again, to continue the lowering. You do realise that it does STOP mid-way for you to make a check? Its designed into the system!

Yup the section above, above the micro-switch drawing should have read; If there is a Mod watching, feel free to correct the original!

There are 4 limit switches which operate in various positions;
2 at the front which sense when the roof is fully lowered, they are a pair for safety, both must operate.
1 half way up the nearside, this senses the lowering off the roof and causes it to pause for you to check that everything is clear.
1 at the rear offside, that senses the full extent of the roof.
The switches are micro- switches with a little mechanical rod that is pressed as the slider passes them, someone put this little drawing together;

Checked today;

when it hits the middle switch the Beeping stops (thinks pretty sure it does)

No the Beeper continues, but lowering stops, check to make sure all is clear and release and then press the Lower button again and it will then descend to the lowest position and you should be able to see hear the roof clonk into its fully down position.

Hi folks. I recently had the very happy but rare experience of getting my AFT roof to close in one go, with the requisite pause in the middle, forced by the sensor.
I also put WD40 on the struts. It still creaks a bit in raising and lowering. Would grease on the runners help?
Thanks for all the advice.

llitvack wrote:the requisite pause in the middle

The sunroof on the tintop version does the same thing....
Presumably so you can check for any obstruction on closing like a head getting trapped..!

llitvack wrote:It still creaks a bit in raising and lowering. Would grease on the runners help?

I've tried various things, but it always ends up creaking after a week or two, especially if the vehicle is at all uneven. The only thing I haven't yet tried is removing all traces of oil / grease and giving it a slight polish, which one or two people suggest. I might try it tomorrow as we are reloading the vehicle after a major service, and the start of the season!