Westy Battery Charger

[PetenAli]

Hi,

Recently purchased an '87 Westy Syncro (2.1 DJ at present) with which we are pretty pleased although being a 27 year old vehicle its not without its teething problems and we are slowly working our way through these.

One which took me a while and a bit of research to suss is that the battery charger which should be located under the rear seat is missing although the wiring for it is in place. This is the one which should automatically charge both main and auxiliary batteries when 240 volt hook up is connected.

Does anyone know if these are still sold? Or does anyone know of a Westy being broken which might have one?

Thanks in anticipation...

Pete

[andisnewsyncro]

Batteries & chargers have come a long way in the last 20 odd years, my advice would be to be pleased the old BBB is missing and use it as the perfect excuse to overhaul your 240v set up completely.

Not as bad as it sounds and needn't be overly expensive (compared with trying to buy 2nd hand parts that have the word "Westy" associated with them )

I had the original in mine and the German 2 pin hook up when I got it. Didn't fancy the idea of such old electrics in a tin box in a wet field, so replaced it all nice and neatly to latest regs.



Power goes into consumer unit, the socket next to that has the charger on the left plugged into it. 2 sockets in the van, the fridge is plugged into another socket on its own circuit. Seems to work, did it over 3 years ago and no problems so far.

Hope that helps a bit, if you want model numbers / makes off anything let me know

[PetenAli]

Sounds like excellent advice there - thanks very much. I may well come back and take up your offer of model numbers etc.

Cheers,

Pete

[Jeavsy]

Pete,

My BBB wasn't working when I got my van and after a bit of research, I went for the option described in the following link:

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/westy ... 40854.html

However, I have not yet fitted the extra relay to charge both batteries and so at the moment it is only hooked up to charge the leisure battery. Works a treat though.

Mike

[PetenAli]

Thanks Mike,

That's two alternatives to go for now.

Cheers,

Pete

[mioba]

Just a question, how do you know the BBB is working when plugged in, does it actually buzz.
The BBB come up very often on ebay.de they usually sell for about 80 EURO

[andisnewsyncro]

Just a question, how do you know the BBB is working when plugged in, does it actually buzz.
The BBB come up very often on ebay.de they usually sell for about 80 EURO

I would suggest a multimeter

My point exactly, 80 Euros will go a long way towards a decent modern charger

[Jeavsy]

Just a question, how do you know the BBB is working when plugged in, does it actually buzz.
The BBB come up very often on ebay.de they usually sell for about 80 EURO

I discovered mine wasn't working by cunningly noting that my battery was getting progressively flatter even when on hook up!

The replacement I bought was about the same as your ebay.de one (if you factor in the postage costs from Germany (they weigh a tonne) vs the free postage from Amazon), and a modern charger is likely to do a far better job of charging and maintaining your batteries than a 20 year old one.

[bitler1@gmail.com]

Hi everyone!

This may be a dumb question....

Is the black box underneath the back seat on the right hand side as you kneel facing the back of the van a battery charger etc? And does that mean that my leisure battery is charging when I've got the van hooked up to 240v?

We took the cover off the box last week and put it back on quickly as we had no idea what it was for! Thought it might have been part of the now defunkt air-conditioning system?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Phil

[cinimod]

mine is on the left hand side on a 1990 westie,gets warm and can hear it buzzing when on 240v hookup

[REGGAJ]

Mines too

[PetenAli]

Hi andisnewsyncro

Can I take you up on your offer of model numbers etc please? Your set up looks very solid and the way to go.

Thanks,

Pete

[reddwarf]

Yep mines on the left hand side which is where they were fitted as standard and yep they buzz and get warm

I put in the same one as Jeavsy and am very pleased with it.

If you post a picture of your set up Phil I am sure we can help.

[horizontal kipper]

mine packed up so i fitted a golf buggy charger in its place.

[bitler1@gmail.com]

I'll try to get a picture on this weekend then thanks!