Flat Battery could something be draining it

[bonglets]

Went out for first outing in our Bongo on Boxing day she had been standing all week and started no problem. Went out today and the battery is flat and she wont start. We have a leisure battery as well but haven't used the fridge or anything yet just went out for a drive about. We will contact dealer when they are back after the holiday but wondered if anybody knows if anything could be draining the main battery. The batteries both look fairly new.

Thanks

[larry787]

I would guess that something is not quite right although if it started on boxing having been stood but then wouldn't start after a couple of days standing im wondering if you left something on by mistake or you only took it for a short run which wasn't enough to recharge the battery.

[bonglets]

We did about 30 miles hubby is sure he switched the lights off and we didn't have anything switched on not even the radio, we are not very techie at all but feel this might change now we are bongo owners.

[Bob]

If you can its worth putting a charger on it overnight.

This will help start it next time and will protect the battery if something is draining it. A fully discharged battery is not salvageable.

If a door is not fully closed the interior light may remain on, possibly the side door?

[Simon Jones]

May seem like a silly question, but how do you know the battery was flat? If the starter solenoid contacts are worn, it will just click and won't spin over even if the battery is fully charged. Were there other things like the headlights that were dim?

What kind of (split) charging arrangements have you got? If you have a Zig CF8 for example, you can flatten both batteries by leaving the switch on the touring position and leaving the fridge on. If the problem is not a current drain, it could be that the alternator is not charging the starter battery. Have you got the charge and sediment lights glowing dimly when you are driving?

[BongoBongo123]

I would check 100pct that the fridge is off as I have recently killed a battery and a fuse after leaving it
just the wrong side of off.

[Dodgey]

May seem like a silly question, but how do you know the battery was flat? If the starter solenoid contacts are worn, it will just click and won't spin over even if the battery is fully charged. Were there other things like the headlights that were dim?

What kind of (split) charging arrangements have you got? If you have a Zig CF8 for example, you can flatten both batteries by leaving the switch on the touring position and leaving the fridge on. If the problem is not a current drain, it could be that the alternator is not charging the starter battery. Have you got the charge and sediment lights glowing dimly when you are driving?

I echo that comment - the Zig units have a "killer" switch - touring! It's a hangover from caravans. It really has no place in a camper. I encourage people to disconnect the starter battery feed to ZIG units and install a simple split charging relay system to facilitate alternator charging of the leisure battery. The cabling installed to the zig units is never adequate for split charging either. I've started noticing some installers are not not connecting the starter battery to the Zig units either - perhaps they have had too many instances of customers flattening their batteries.

Slightly more on topic, leaving an interior light on (door ajar) will flatten a starter battery overnight - I now...! - I've also left my sidelights on once - same result!

[bonglets]

Thank you for the replies, we obviously have some learning to do with regards to.....well everything bongo lol. We now have some questions to ask when we contact dealer next week. Battery currently on charge so fingers crossed.

Thanks again and Happy New Year all.

[bonglets]

Quick update....battery is fully charged after being on charge for 2 hrs so looks like solinoids. Water pump etc working fine off leisure battery. After checking on google to see what a zig cf8 is we have nothing that looks like that inside. Should we have or is there other ways to connect kitchen? This is a big learning curve for us but with Bongo Fury we have some wonderful teachers and lots ofminfo to help us.

[Dodgey]

So your starter battery is full (how do you know it is)? and it still won't start? any clicking noises?

Regarding your leisure battery wiring and your kitchen wiring - every camper is different. We need to know about any control panels, chargers, electrical equipment in cupboards. Descriptions or photos help greatly.

[bonglets]

There is a green light on the charger that comes on when charged. Just clicking when trying to start her up. We have to go back to the company who did the conversion to get the fridge connected as they were waiting for a part so we can ask them how the batteries are set up. We have ordered a handbook as well so we will know what is what on the dashboard.

[wonkanoby]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-BONGO-2 ... 1297wt_952

[bonglets]

Thank you for the link