Westfalia Joker T3 - split charge system?

[aisha]

Hi all

First post here - there are posts about split charge systems, but I'm wondering what my Westy would have originally had?
Did a long trip over the weekend, and was surprised to see the leisure battery isn't charging. However, it charges when hooked up to 240V.
I'm wondering if a previous owner disconnected the split charge because the main battery wasn't getting enough charge?
Anyway - if I am to go on any more wildcamping adventures it would be nice to have the leisure battery charging, any ideas where to start tracking down the fault? A few troubleshooting hints would be much appreciated...

PS. I still haven't done the relay mod to get the radio and interior light to work from leisure battery, so I think there's hardly anything running from it. (?)
PPS. The interior light seems to drain the battery less than (for example) when I left the cab light on during the day. Is that true?

[AdrianC]

First post here - there are posts about split charge systems, but I'm wondering what my Westy would have originally had?

The split charge relay's under the driver's seat.

Did a long trip over the weekend, and was surprised to see the leisure battery isn't charging. However, it charges when hooked up to 240V.

Charge light on the dash is behaving correctly? Comes on with ignition, then goes off once the engine's running (mebbe needs a small rev first)? When the light goes off, is there a slight but audible click from your right buttock?

Do you have a multimeter? If so, check what voltage you're getting across each battery. With the engine off, it should be 12.5v or so at absolute most. With the engine idling and the charge light off, it should be north of 13v, and with a few revs on, it should be a bit north of 14v. If it's not, on the starter battery, then you need to investigate the charging. If the starter battery's OK, but you're not seeing the same at the leisure, then it's the split-charge.

I'm wondering if a previous owner disconnected the split charge because the main battery wasn't getting enough charge?

If that was the case, then the alternator's knackered.

PS. I still haven't done the relay mod to get the radio and interior light to work from leisure battery, so I think there's hardly anything running from it. (?)

Yep. All that runs from the leisure before that mod is the eber, the tap and a tiny bit for the fridge (when it's on gas)

PPS. The interior light seems to drain the battery less than (for example) when I left the cab light on during the day. Is that true?

D'you mean the rear interior lights? The cab light is a small festoon bulb - just a couple of watt. The strip lights in the back are a chunk more than that - 11w, IIRC? So should be the other way round.

[aisha]

First post here - there are posts about split charge systems, but I'm wondering what my Westy would have originally had?

The split charge relay's under the driver's seat.

Did a long trip over the weekend, and was surprised to see the leisure battery isn't charging. However, it charges when hooked up to 240V.

Charge light on the dash is behaving correctly? Comes on with ignition, then goes off once the engine's running (mebbe needs a small rev first)? When the light goes off, is there a slight but audible click from your right buttock?

Light on the dash? This is news to me. The lights I'm aware of are the glow plug light and oil temp/pressure light.
I haven't heard any clicking from my buttock area, I'll have a look under the seat. What does the relay look like? I know the fuses from the B-Pillar have been moved under there (possibly changed too, they're modern plastic fuses, in a homemade looking enclosure)

Do you have a multimeter? If so, check what voltage you're getting across each battery. With the engine off, it should be 12.5v or so at absolute most. With the engine idling and the charge light off, it should be north of 13v, and with a few revs on, it should be a bit north of 14v. If it's not, on the starter battery, then you need to investigate the charging. If the starter battery's OK, but you're not seeing the same at the leisure, then it's the split-charge.

Yes - I'll do this as soon as I find (one of) my two multimeters that have gone walkabouts in the several country moves I've done....
Thanks for the tips...

I'm wondering if a previous owner disconnected the split charge because the main battery wasn't getting enough charge?

If that was the case, then the alternator's knackered.

PS. I still haven't done the relay mod to get the radio and interior light to work from leisure battery, so I think there's hardly anything running from it. (?)

Yep. All that runs from the leisure before that mod is the eber, the tap and a tiny bit for the fridge (when it's on gas)

Thought as much! I'm hoping to get some nice orange 12v leds for the cab - a nicer hue than the blueish glow from the main light

PPS. The interior light seems to drain the battery less than (for example) when I left the cab light on during the day. Is that true?

D'you mean the rear interior lights? The cab light is a small festoon bulb - just a couple of watt. The strip lights in the back are a chunk more than that - 11w, IIRC? So should be the other way round.

Yeah - I would have thought so too, the bulb I have in the main interior light is 8W. TBH I haven't measured this scientifically, just noticed the van was slow to start after I'd left the cab light on.

PS. Thanks for the thorough reply! I've read some of your blog before, I'm very envious of your travels!

[AdrianC]

Light on the dash? This is news to me.

Battery icon. Second row, left, next to the oil pressure.

I'll do this as soon as I find (one of) my two multimeters that have gone walkabouts in the several country moves I've done...

They're little buggers for that, aren't they?

For this price, you can't go wrong with one of these kicking about... I'm on my second - the first one's in hiding somewhere. Last time I got one, I got a second for a mate - who asked me yesterday if I'd seen it about anywhere...

[aisha]

They are buggers for that! I have given up searching for mine, so might pick up one of those
The battery icon does come on and go off correctly. I don't hear a click though.
Had a quick look under the drivers seat, and there's not much other than the battery in there!
What should it look like ? Is it just a small relay like indicators etc?
Thanks.

[AdrianC]

Had a quick look under the drivers seat, and there's not much other than the battery in there!
What should it look like ? Is it just a small relay like indicators etc?

Typical small square relay, IIRC, in the front/inner corner of the battery box - you'll need to swivel or even remove the seat (easy, swivel 90deg, remove any plastic fillet in the front of the runners, then slide out of runners) and possibly battery to find it. Follow the wiring from the +ve terminal.

[aisha]

Thanks Adrian. Have just passed our version of the MOT here, so will celebrate with a bit of tinkering

[California Dreamin]

Next question.....if the original relay is faulty and needs replacing like for like then they are slightly different to the common five terminal change over relay.

What you need is a 'b' type pin configuration (double make & break)
My own personal opinion is to replace the original with something heavier but some of the terminal ends will need replacing for the larger 9.5mm ends

http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/p ... ategory/36" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Martin

[aisha]

In a new twist in the story lines, the battery light is now staying on while driving - so I'm going to have to start properly investigating the charging system...

[California Dreamin]

In that case it sounds like your alternator regulator brush pack needs replacing...about £13.00.
Just put a voltmeter across the starter battery...you should get around 12.6volts (engine off with a fully charged battery) rising to 13.9 - 14.2 volts with the engine running.....if you don't see this secondary RISE then suspect the regulator as I said earlier.
This sort of thing...althought you will need to cross reference the numbers.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALL-VW-MARK-2 ... 43b6831203" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Martin

[aisha]

Cheers Martin. Will check that out! Can't believe all my multimeters have gone walkabouts #grrrr