Club 80-90 Forums

Hi,well it will charge from a battery charger and hold it's charge (so think battery good)
Every thing runs and works well
But when you use the mains hook up all looks good on the zig unit ie orange light switch is on all fuse's good battery level green led lite but as soon as you unplug mains battery level changes to red led
It also does not appear to charge from being driven but the driving battery seems fine
I've read some threads and they refer to a relay could it be this ? Where is it ?
It's 87 holdsworth poptop with a zig unit and only has a little leisure battery ( not sure but think its not a proper leisure battery ) under passgener seat connected by large crocodile clips
Thanks

It depends upon which model Zig unit you have as to whether or not it has a mains charger.

I had look this morning but could not see a model number where is it
Thanks

What he said ^^^^^^^^^.

Some Zig units are just effectively monitoring leisure battery condition, some have built in mains chargers and charge the leisure battery when the mains is plugged in.
As far as charging whilst 'running' is concerned, this is usually handled by a simple split charge relay circuit that effectively 'connects' starter and leisure batteries when the engine is running and the alternator is charging.
Look for blown fuses, general condition of wiring and poor connections.

Crocadile clips are NOT a good sign as the potential amperage of a battery can easily cause an electrical fire if something shorts out.
It sounds to me that the whole leisure side needs looking over and appropriate modifications made to ensure this works safely.

Martin

Triothreetrio wrote:I had look this morning but could not see a model number where is it
Thanks

Usually just under the 'Zig' logo. Put up a pic and our collective wisdom should be able to identify it. If not Google zig images and do it that way.

I think we can confirm a mains (and therefore charging facility otherwise there'd be no point) from this:

Triothreetrio wrote:orange light switch is on all fuse's good battery level green led lite but as soon as you unplug mains battery level changes to red led

If by Holdswoth pop top you mean Villa 3 then here's the manual from the club Wiki. Circuit diagrams included.

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ca ... orth_Villa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks like Holdsworth had a Zig unit (SP-4) and a separate charger unit (DCU 3).

If the battery indicator shows healthy when the mains is connected but unhealthy (red) on the SP-4 unit when it's disconnected then either you're not giving it enough time to charge the battery OR the 25amp fuse from the DCU 3 to the leisure (AUX on the drawing) battery has ruptured. Logically speaking, the actual DCU 3 unit must be functioning else the indicators on the SP-4 wouldn't change - it would be red whether the mains was connected or not. Check that fuse first and get back to us.

Bren....brilliant and spot on.

Martin