Leisure battery problem - solved (a newby being a dope :-))

[LittleMissSunshine]

Hiya everyone

Just taken our new camper away from 4 nights to the Lake District to test her over longish distance and see what she was like to stay in. Pics to follow on another thread. We have a 1988 komet hightop auto home if that helps!

The only problem we had was with the leisure battery. We hooked up to the site and switched the zigg unit to 'caravan' down position. Used the lights and after the second evening the red warning light came on and the lights dimmed.

We borrowed a car battery charger, charged it up for 24 hours then it was OK for the next evening, then the same happened again, red warning light and it all dimmed.

Was I wrong to assume that being on hook up would have charged the leisure battery? The battery is about 18 months old and I rang the owner who said it was quite cheap off internet.

Any idea where to start with this one? Much appreciated, Helen

[1664]

Was the amber transparent light on the left switched on and did it illuminate?

[LittleMissSunshine]

I don't think I have one of those??? Sorry, newbie badge on again!

[1664]

Does your Zig look like this?

[LittleMissSunshine]

Nope, will go take a pic now.

[LittleMissSunshine]

This is mine



In the 'caravan' pic it should be using the hook up power, in the top position it should be using the car - ie charging whilst driving. The green light is on when pulling 12v, the red one below came on and the lights dimmed.

[PetenAli]

Don't know a lot about these - but have you tried to google the instructions for your particular Zig unit. I think they will tell you if you are using the right switches at the right time and should have a wiring diagram so you can tell if its wired properly.

Good luck with it - will watch the progress.

[LittleMissSunshine]

Will have a go, thanks for the suggestion.

[1664]

I'm not familiar with that particular Zig, but it looks like it's just an upgraded version of the CP400. Behind the panel marked 'fuses' are there just 4 x 10amp unscrewable fuses? There's no 'mains' indicator lamp on it is there? No fuse marked '240v 1amp'? No 'Mains OFF/ON' switch?

[LittleMissSunshine]

Behind the panel marked 'fuses' are there just 4 x 10amp unscrewable fuses?

yes


There's no 'mains' indicator lamp on it is there?


no

No fuse marked '240v 1amp'?

no

No 'Mains OFF/ON' switch?

no

[1664]

The bad news I'm beating about the bush with here Helen is that this particular Zig unit does not have any mains connection and no charger built in - it's just a control panel like the CP400 except you have four 12v outgoing circuits and the CP400 had three. The 'car' / 'caravan' switch simply allows you to choose which battery to run your camper electrics off - starter (car) or leisure (caravan)


Don't shoot the messenger

[LittleMissSunshine]

I did wonder! But the instructions actually say it will use the power from the hook up.

Is there anyway to get it to charge the leisure battery and power the lights?

[LittleMissSunshine]

Next question.....


Can I upgrade my Zig unit to do aforementioned charging??

[Oldiebut goodie]

In the 'caravan' pic it should be using the hook up power, in the top position it should be using the car - ie charging whilst driving. The green light is on when pulling 12v, the red one below came on and the lights dimmed.

This is another of the ones that have nothing to do with 230v mains power by the look of it. The switch on the left being a 3 position one - up = vehicle battery, centre = off and down = leisure battery. You may well have other circuitry elsewhere for your 230v hook up but that Zig has nothing to do with it.

[1664]

I did wonder! But the instructions actually say it will use the power from the hook up.

What instructions? Not the Zig instructions as it can't do that

You cannot upgrade that Zig but you can fit another or a separate charger. All the necessary wiring is behind the (presumably) small empty cubbyspace you have in the position my Zig is shown occupying. The wooden shelf above it is held in by twp screws; remove them and gently tw@t the wood in an upwards direction and it will come off the reveal all the wiring underneath (unless whoever fitted that Zig has moved it all - Autohomes certainly didn't fit it)