I messed something up - Can't use Leisure battery.

[Gingermagic]

Hi Everyone,

We've got a T25 with a Zig CF8 battery charging and distribution system.

This afternoon, I've just added this ...
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B ... UTF8&psc=1
.. to the Zig.

I've only added it electrically. Not drilled anything yet.

The problem that I've got is now nothing works from the leisure battery!

However, if I plug into the mains, everything seems to run through the Zig fine. All works as it should until I turn off the charging. Then there's zilch, nada, nothing.

The fuses in the Zig seem fine.

What have I done? How can I get to the bottom of this?

Thanks,
Damian

[Gingermagic]

PS
I haven't tried removing the new device completely (reaching the connector block is a painful stretch, so I'm loathed to keep adding and removing wires), but I have tried removing the negative from the new power unit.
That didn't fix things.

[AngeloEvs]

Did you remove the Zig frontpanel or the entire zig unit?

Sounds like the leisure battery feed has somehow become disconnected either at the rear connector block or to the on off switch or you may have blown the fuse which is probably close to the leisure battery.    The zig is outputting the charge voltage as normal when switched on.

[Gingermagic]

Hi AngeloEve,

I haven't taken the front panel of the Zig off. I didn't know that it came off.

Should I do that? If so, what should I be looking for?

[Gingermagic]

Also,

It looks like (based on the Zig Wiring Diagram) there's a 25A fuse connected to the leisure battery positive cable. Maybe that's blown? Where would I find that?

Thanks,
Damian

 

[AngeloEvs]

If you have not removed the front panel then it is unlikely that you have disturbed anything internally.

The fuse is usually close the leisure battery and charge relay components but depends who fitted them.

You need to check if you have a 12v feed at connection 8 (also check no 4) on the rear connector.   No voltage suggests you have probably blown the fuse.

There is some info regarding the zig CF8 in the club wiki in the camping electrical section.

[Gingermagic]

I think/hope that I've found the problem.

Looking around the positive connection on the leisure battery, I saw what looked like 3 fuses.

One was a standard car type fuse, which was yellow and looked fine.

The other two were black plastic cases which opened up to reveal an odd looking fuse inside.

The first one looked OK. The second one looks blown ...



My new problem is how to find a replacement fuse?

I've never seen one like this, and searching on Amazon is bringing up nothing like it.

Does this type of fuse have a name that I could search for?

And will it be 25A, as the Zig diagram suggested?

Thanks,
Damian

[Mocki]

Bullet fuse
ebay item 202788039276. 
check correct values

[Gingermagic]

Wow,
That was quick Mochi!

Thanks for the link.
They also seem to be called 'Torpedo fuses'.
The one that's blown is 16A.

Judging from this image ...


Should I be replacing it with a 25A fuse?

Thanks,
Damian
 

[Gingermagic]

I've just been out and proved to myself that the fuse is the problem, by temporarily switching in the other Torpedo fuse that's on another wire from the leisure battery.

It all worked!

So, it's definitely that fuse. I just need to decide if I should replace it with a 16A, like the one that was there before, or a 25A, as the Zig manual seems to suggest.

What do you think?

[Gingermagic]

Anyone got any thoughts on the 16A or 25A fuse question?

I've ordered both. They will be arriving in the next couple of days.

Cheers,
Damian

[AngeloEvs]

Go with the 16A to start with unless you have any appliances or fittings that have high current demand.

[maxstu]

Wow,
That was quick Mochi!
 

Mochi! couldnt resist it.

[robertneill602]

Check out the wire from the battery to the Zig unit for any shorts to ground. The open wire fuse is known as a Continental Fuse and come in 4 ratings. Yellow 5 amp, White 8 amp, Red/Brown 16 amp, Blue 25 amp. These are Continuous Ratings and use of the blue fuses maybe taking things too high as the Blow Rating are said to be 2 Times the Continuous Rating. An alternative if it fits is the 35 amp Blow glass fuse for the Vauxhall Chevette.

[Stesaw]

Wow,
That was quick Mochi!

Mochi! couldnt resist it.

Beat me to it