Leisure battery question

[dekhelia]

Is the leisure battery supposed to charge from the alternator while the van is running?

As a general principle, I mean. The van in question is a 1986 (or 1981, depending on which chassis plate you read Westy-based conversion. I think it all came the way it is from the factory.

[AdrianC]

Is the leisure battery supposed to charge from the alternator while the van is running?

Definitely. When you first start, the charge light stays on until you give a few revs, then there's a click from your right buttock as the split charge relay kicks in and both start to charge.

[dekhelia]

hehe, thanks - thought it must charge while on the move. However, mine doesn't. The leisure-battery controlled lamps do work when charged externally (from a battery charger connected directly to the leisure battery), but once this charge has been exhausted - nothing.

What is this split charge relay thingy (next to right buttock)?

When I first start engine, as you say, the charge light stays on until a few revs are delivered ... so does this suggest that at least some of the system is operative?

[AdrianC]

What is this split charge relay thingy (next to right buttock)?

It disconnects the two batteries unless the alternator voltage is higher than the battery voltage - ie engine running and charging. When it "sees" that, that's the click that you hear. It's inside the leisure battery box under the seat.

When I first start engine, as you say, the charge light stays on until a few revs are delivered ... so does this suggest that at least some of the system is operative?

P'raps. Multimeter o'clock, I think.

[California Dreamin]

Westy split charge systems tend to work fine until there is a leisure battery failure. A failing battery will often draw a much higher current which will then overload and melt the relay. Usually it's just a case of making sure the leisure battery is in good condition, then replace the relay, checking it works with a multimeter.

The original relays were a 5 terminal single pole double make, which are fairly hard to find. They can be replaced with a four terminal relay instead, just piggy backing the two outputs together. As a straight replacement look for a 40amp relay as a minimum.

Martin

[AdrianC]

The original relays were a 5 terminal double throw double contact, which are fairly hard to find. They can be replaced with a four terminal relay instead, just piggy backing the two outputs together.

Wouldn't that connect the two batteries at all times, negating the point of the split-charge relay?

[California Dreamin]

Nope......both outputs are switched at the same time off the same feed.....technically known as Dual Make SPST Relay. See figures 4,5 & 6 in the link. (feed pole 30 switching terminals 87 & 87b together)

Don't mistake this for the much more common Single Pole Double Throw Relay which switches either one of the other outputs Figures 1,2 & 3 (feed pole 30 connected to 87a at rest/non energized but switching to terminal 87 when energized) This is the wrong relay.

http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Martin