Bongo Fury

Had a problem with the radio last week turning itself off and on then went off all together.I wasn't too concerned but today I've noticed my leisure battery doesn't "turn on",I hadn't tried it since the radio went off.Assuming the radio is(was) powered by the leisure battery would I be right in thinking the problem is likely to be a blown fuse somewhere.

Have you got a multimeter or at least a bulb to check the LB voltage?

Thanks for the reply!No I don't have a multimeter.Everything working ok until radio started playing up,leisure battery looks new.I did notice a small silver"box" with what looks like radio connections plugged in seems to have dropped from behind the dash into the right of the glove compartment.I recently had a coolant alarm fitted I wonder if something has been disturbed then.
I have made my mind up to take it somewhere local to have it checked,I still haven't tried the ehu and can't turn the gas regulator on(or off)

Simon Jones wrote:Have you got a multimeter or at least a bulb to check the LB voltage?

I have now checked the lb and its flat,the battery itself looks brand new from halfords though I noticed one cell is in need of topping up.The questions are if I get an auto elec. out will they be able to tell me if it is a us battery or the charging system?
Also is there a switch somewhere that enables the split charging or is it done(normally!)automatically when engine is running?I ask because there are two switches either side of the steering wheel which are identical to the one that turns the lb system on and as of yet have no idea what they do.
As a point of interest the lb worked ok blinds,lights etc and I was driving 200 odd miles up the motorway when the radio and presumably lb packed up.

there is no standard set up as a l battery etc is not factory fitted

so there is no easy answer

the normal kits most use are automatic as far as charging of the alternator

once main battery up to level it switches over to l battery

and that part doers not usually envolve switches

but many use units designed for caravans and mains hook ups and those do have settings..ie zig things

thanks for that.I thought that was the case regards charging LB(no switches involved)I don't have a control panel like i see pics of on here,just switch for Lb,3 pin socket,"knob" for webasto heater and switches for blinds.Its a wellhouse full side conversion done in '08.

Sounds like your split charge is not working. Is it a proper leisure battery or just bog standard unit? If the latter, then allowing it to become fully discharged may have caused permanent damage. The silver box with an aerial lead sounds like a band expander which allows a japanese radio to work on UK frequencies.

An auto electrician should be able to sort it all out for you and advise what all the controls do .

Because the battery is new(halfords 70amp) I thought it must be something to do with the charging system especially as I've done about 600 miles motorway without using LB apart from the radio.I had a caravan servicing chap check the gas yesterday,it was he who checked the battery for me,he has given me the number of an auto electrician who I'll ring on monday.
All part of the bongo learning curve i expect

If not obviously a Leisure battery, you have a normal starter battery. Halfords Leisure Batteries are clearly marked as such.

cmm303 wrote:If not obviously a Leisure battery, you have a normal starter battery. Halfords Leisure Batteries are clearly marked as such.

I never noticed anything saying leisure on the battery when I topped up the cells today,I'll look again tomorrow.

cmm303 wrote:If not obviously a Leisure battery, you have a normal starter battery. Halfords Leisure Batteries are clearly marked as such.

Just looked and it is a leisure battery 70amp 2 year guarantee.As i've said it looks as though it has just been fitted,I don't have a receipt anyway even if it is a battery problem though I suspect its the charging system.I'll be ringing an auto elec. tomorrow so should find out either way.

There should be a fuse (in-line most likely) close to each battery that run to a small module ( the split charge relay) make sure both fuses are OK, if the L/B ever gets very flat these are likely to blow, in which case BOTH need to be changed even if one looks OK, it will blow again at the most awkward time!

g8dhe wrote:There should be a fuse (in-line most likely) close to each battery that run to a small module ( the split charge relay) make sure both fuses are OK, if the L/B ever gets very flat these are likely to blow, in which case BOTH need to be changed even if one looks OK, it will blow again at the most awkward time!

The problem HAS been a blown fuse,60amp maxi fuse located next to the starter battery.Everything working ok off the LB now.Though I can't seem to see another fuse located near the Lb.A couple of spare fuses on the shopping list now!
As always thanks for the help.Outstanding

Much more seriously if you don't have a second fuse, then your system is a accident waiting to happen. The fuse protects the cable from catching fire if you have an accident, with two batteries you need a fuse on each end, otherwise if you have a small frontend shunt that traps the cable the second battery causes the fire!!! Get it seen to immiedately!

g8dhe wrote:Much more seriously if you don't have a second fuse, then your system is a accident waiting to happen. The fuse protects the cable from catching fire if you have an accident, with two batteries you need a fuse on each end, otherwise if you have a small frontend shunt that traps the cable the second battery causes the fire!!! Get it seen to immiedately!

thanks!! I did mention to the auto guy and he seemed to think it(fuse) could be where the wires go under a housing,I'll have a better look ASP.