Zig Unit - CF6 (now has loud hum)

[davidvincent]

Hi again, does anyone have any idea why the zig is still humming at all?? I'm lost!

Dave

[AngeloEvs]

Hard to say for definite, but usually a sign its trying too hard, just noisy, or a an internal fault.

1. Is it humming when connected to a good battery?

2. Do the lights in the habitation area look to be flickering when the Zig is on?

If you a multimeter check across the leisure battery terminals. You should read about 13.4V across the leisure battery when the ZIG is on and set to charge, no more. Any higher than that and it could be the voltage / current regulator isn't working. If its less (around 12.7) then it could be that it simply charging the battery and working at full capacity. Transformers can also develop noisy laminations as they age, particularly when pushed hard, but without listening to it I cannot say for sure whether that is the problem. Also feel the front panel and see if it gets hot after a while. It will get quite warm when its charging but the Zig does have a thermal protection switch so will switch off if it gets too hot. It also has a current trip switch so I doubt its over currenting unless the safety devices have failed.

[davidvincent]

Hard to say for definite, but usually a sign its trying too hard, just noisy, or a an internal fault.

1. Is it humming when connected to a good battery?

2. Do the lights in the habitation area look to be flickering when the Zig is on?

If you a multimeter check across the leisure battery terminals. You should read about 13.4V across the leisure battery when the ZIG is on and set to charge, no more. Any higher than that and it could be the voltage / current regulator isn't working. If its less (around 12.7) then it could be that it simply charging the battery and working at full capacity. Transformers can also develop noisy laminations as they age, particularly when pushed hard, but without listening to it I cannot say for sure whether that is the problem. Also feel the front panel and see if it gets hot after a while. It will get quite warm when its charging but the Zig does have a thermal protection switch so will switch off if it gets too hot. It also has a current trip switch so I doubt its over currenting unless the safety devices have failed.

Hi Angelo

Well I know the batteries are both in very good condition and holding a great charge.... the lights don't flicker when I plug the cable in, that said I haven't left it on long enough for me to truly test that as the Humming sound gets so loud I fear the transformer will melt/break..... it did once kick out a bit of smoke so I am nervous... for the same reason I never got the chance to put the multimeter across the leisure battery but I will do as that sounds like a possible culprit, i wasn't aware of the thermal protection/voltage regulator so will be checking that next... thank you.

dave

[AngeloEvs]

Smoke not a good sign, I wasn't aware of that and I would say that it is faulty so take care. Pity you are not local or I would have checked it over for you.

[davidvincent]

Smoke not a good sign, I wasn't aware of that and I would say that it is faulty so take care. Pity you are not local or I would have checked it over for you.

Cheers Angelo, yeah the smoke wasn't a good sign.... i have emailed zig to see if they have a service dept but no reply

[AngeloEvs]

If its smoking then there is a likely hood of a failed winding or short circuit component somewhere. Everard are still in business but you will probably have to send it to them. See how you get on, if no joy I could diagnose the problem and repair depending on fault/replacement part availablity but you will have to post it to me. Quite honestly, you might be financially better off removing the charger components from the zig and just buy a good 3 stage charger. Ask for an estimate as I have a sneaky feeling that they will upgrade it using later production components. Best of luck!

[davidvincent]

If its smoking then there is a likely hood of a failed winding or short circuit component somewhere. Everard are still in business but you will probably have to send it to them. See how you get on, if no joy I could diagnose the problem and repair depending on fault/replacement part availablity but you will have to post it to me. Quite honestly, you might be financially better off removing the charger components from the zig and just buy a good 3 stage charger. Ask for an estimate as I have a sneaky feeling that they will upgrade it using later production components. Best of luck!

Oh nice one, yeah I may just take you up on that offer, i will of course see how far i get first with Everard/Zig, thanks again.

Dave

[davidvincent]

Everard are still in business but you will probably have to send it to them. See how you get on, if no joy I could diagnose the problem and repair depending on fault/replacement part availablity but you will have to post it to me. Quite honestly, you might be financially better off removing the charger components from the zig and just buy a good 3 stage charger. Ask for an estimate as I have a sneaky feeling that they will upgrade it using later production components. Best of luck!

Hi again

So the guy at Zig Electronics said that it sounds as if the transformer was knackered, he pointed out that the replacement parts would add up to nearly as much as a new unit (£120) so recommended a new CF8 (he wasn't particularly enthusiastic).

I have no problem saving up to buy a new zig cf8 and i'm sure it will be simple to install however a few of you good people have recommended a 3 stage charger upgrade which I am interested in.... the problem/question is how simple would it be to install and can i use it in conjunction with the zig? and are there any priced at around £120ish? The ones we looked at before were quite expensive, as kev mentioned here:

this one that you could hard wire into the van for when your on hook up
http://www.nauticexpo.com/prod/alfatron ... 87622.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks in advance
Dave

[kevtherev]

That's a shame about the transformer mate.
Nows the time to decide

repair the zig or replace it.

or do you want a manual or automatic charger?
with a manual you have more control over when it is charging, but if your a forgetful git like me then it would be better auto

A fancy three phase or a normal charger?
The three phase will need to go through it's cycle to get a topped up battery.
the normal charger will deliver like an alternator, plus it's cheap.

installation of a three phase or a normal charger is quite easy.
You may need a new Hook up RCD to wire it to, if your current one has no free points.

[kevtherev]

these are very good
available from lidl (when in stock)
cost £12.99



these have the same spec as the Tronic
CTEK XS 3600

[davidvincent]

cheers kev

so those two models you mentioned, can they be hard wired into the van via the zig? how do i disable/bypass the zig charger?

i found this site which sells the zig cf8 for £99 which is the lowest i've found... it says they are new and not spares/refurb.

http://www.caravanspares2repairs.co.uk/ ... 1130-p.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

tis tempting to go for that as i'd be more confident doing the work myself, as it is just a straight swap... hhmm time to think ey.

dave

[AngeloEvs]

Can look at it for you and give you a definite fault diagnosis, might be worth the cost of p&p so let me know.