Split charge relay location - '89 Westy California LHD

[fizzpault3]

Hi, in my never ending attempts to try and tidy up loose ends in my Westy California (1.6JX TD) I sailed into Vanbitz today to merrily have a 'battery master' fitted, which many of you are familiar with. After 1.5 hours thay waved a white flag saying that they could not locate the split charge relay to fit the battery master. They think its behind the fridge where all the wiring seems to disappear to and they were reluctant to pull the panel out or remove fridge, understandably. I have checked the forums under split charge relay but no-one seems to have pinpointed WHERE the elusive sod is located!!! The original battery charger that would have been under the bed/rear seat has gone, and an 'intelligent' one installed in its place, before anyone points me there. The only clue I have that there is a split charger still in situ (lets face it, when you get a T25, the fun is trying to work out what in tarnation someone's done with this and that wire and whats that one just cut off over there, and look , there's a fuse and bare wire there scraping along the metal floor, and sparking, etc etc!!) .... is that when I had a habitation check done, the guy checked the charging function, and said that on start up the driving battery voltage rose nicely then stabilised then the meter on the leisure battery behind drivers seat then started to rise, indicating that there is a relay , somewhere. If the original location of the relay was under the bed, then I guess I play 'seek the relay', but the guys at vanbits couldn't find it. Now I know how simple it is to fit the battery master, when I find the relay I will do it myself, but in the meantime, any of you gals and guys got any idea's?

[kenkelso]

It's under the drivers seat isn't it?

[California Dreamin]

Yes indeed^^^^^^ behind the drivers seat L/H/D.....to the side of the battery box, handbrake side..you can just see it.
Push the seat right forwards, flip up the leisure battery box lid, look to the hand brake side of the battery and you can just see it mounted down the side.

Martin

[California Dreamin]

As long as you carry out the quick an easy interior light/radio mod (well documented mod to put ALL anchillaries on the leisure battery circuit) The Battery Master is a complete waste of money as there is practically no power draw on the starter circuit.
I was also going to point out the the Westy BBB charger, charges BOTH batteries whilst on hookup....but that has been changed and we don't know if that is still the case 'unlikely'.

Martin

[fizzpault3]

Gentlemen, (Martin and Kenkelso), as always on this forum, indebted and amazed at such quick responses and fantastic advice!! I have studied with great interest the leisure battery mod you speak of, Martin, I even got as far as leading a wire from the leisure battery box to the rear of the fuse block, found spade fuse block to add, then remembered the battery master we had fitted to a new motorhome in 2004. Agreed, very expensive for such a small unit which simply measures the potential difference between both batteries and 'leaks' a small top up current to the starter battery if it falls below that of the l.battery. Problem I have at present is that the van is parked in a main car park, and by the time I get home, its late, etc, etc, so I thought a quick fix would do it with the b.master , but both of your messages have shown me the light - I shall follow it, brothers, and all will be revealed (hopefully!). Thanks so much, Paul