Sorry...more electrical questions

[Baldrick]

Hi all

I've just had a split charge and power inverter fitted to my bus, but things don't seem right.

The split charge relay has 3 wires. One from the main battery, one going to the positive on the leisure battery and one going to the 12 volt fuse box.

There is then a double core live going from the leisure battery to the power inverter.

I have a couple of questions.

1) Does the live from the split charge relay get powered from the main or leisure battery?
2) The live from the split charge relay to the fuse box is only live while the engine is running...what problem does this suggest?

I won't have a problem going back to the guy who did the fitting for me...I'd just like to understand a little more.

Thanks

 

[hogseye]

a split charger to a leisure battery should only be live when the engine is running so both batteries charge, but when ignition turned off the leisure battery is isolated from main battery so any power you take from leisure batt does flatten main batt. think of the relay like a water valve, there is power going from the main batt to the relay but it cant flow thru until u switch on ignition, power is then supplied (in your case) from the fuse box to the relay which in effect opens the tap and allows the power to flow thru the relay from main batt to leisure batt so it charges. when u turn off ignition the tap is closed and the flow is isolated again so vehicle batt isn't flattened. simples

 

[Baldrick]

Just been thinking a bit more...

The split relay has a wire going to the leisure battery (dark green) and a wire going to the NEW SECONDARY fuse box (red). As the wire to the NEW fuse box is only live while the engine is running, could this be the wire that should go to the leisure battery since it makes sense that it would charge while the engine is running?

I just wonder if it is a case of (literally) crossed wires?

 

[froggy]

Does indeed sound like a crossed wire, the live to the leisure battery should only be live when the engine is running and the live to the fuse box should be permanently live but should be fed directly from the leisure battery, the permanent live from the relay is normally used to power fridges BUT this is a live supply from the start battery.

 

[froggy]

Also look here http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=9875

 

[Baldrick]

Does indeed sound like a crossed wire, the live to the leisure battery should only be live when the engine is running and the live to the fuse box should be permanently live but should be fed directly from the leisure battery, the permanent live from the relay is normally used to power fridges BUT this is a live supply from the start battery.

Thanks Froggy...but I need things spelt out very simply .

So am I right in thinking that the two outputs from the split relay are for the leisure battery and fridge? Guessing then the red should go to the leisure battery and green to fridge...although I'll run the fridge from the fues box and hence the LB. I'd rather the fridge go off than have starting problems.

Thanks

 

[froggy]

Does indeed sound like a crossed wire, the live to the leisure battery should only be live when the engine is running and the live to the fuse box should be permanently live but should be fed directly from the leisure battery, the permanent live from the relay is normally used to power fridges BUT this is a live supply from the start battery.

Thanks Froggy...but I need things spelt out very simply .

So am I right in thinking that the two outputs from the split relay are for the leisure battery and fridge? Guerssing then the red should go to the leisure battery and green to fridge...although I'll run the fridge from the fues box and hence the LB. I'd rather the fridge go off than have starting problems.

Thanks

Yes mate, run the switchd live to the leisure battery (the wire thats live with the engine running) and then run the fridge from the leisure battery's fuse box. As you said its better to have a flat leisure battery than a flat starter battery

 

[Baldrick]

Hi all

As above I've recently had a leisure battery & split charge fitted...I'm just not sure it's a brilliant job, although the guy was recommended. I've got some questions:

1) Should a fuse box supply a live and earth or just the live?
2) The wires have been run out from the back of the engine and through the top of the wheel arch. Is there a good reason why it should be done this way? It seems pretty crap to me as the wires are going to get water and road crud thrown at them. There is also a good chance (as yet unproven) that I'll get water coming in.

As always I appreciate any comments.

 

[froggy]

Hi all

As above I've recently had a leisure battery & split charge fitted...I'm just not sure it's a brilliant job, although the guy was recommended. I've got some questions:

1) Should a fuse box supply a live and earth or just the live?
2) The wires have been run out from the back of the engine and through the top of the wheel arch. Is there a good reason why it should be done this way? It seems pretty crap to me as the wires are going to get water and road crud thrown at them. There is also a good chance (as yet unproven) that I'll get water coming in.

As always I appreciate any comments.

The fuse box will only supply feed, the earth / negative can just be ran to any earth point (or make your own earth)
The wires should be fine the way they have been run, just make sure that where they run through the wheel arch that there is a rubber grommet. This will help the wires from chaffing on the metal and also should stop to much water from entering.

 

[Baldrick]

The fuse box will only supply feed, the earth / negative can just be ran to any earth point (or make your own earth)
The wires should be fine the way they have been run, just make sure that where they run through the wheel arch that there is a rubber grommet. This will help the wires from chaffing on the metal and also should stop to much water from entering.

Thanks...it just wasn't what I expected...I'm happy that I've not got a botch job .