Alternator split charge

[Lyntransit]

Alternator split charge problems .1993 motorhome. I've fitted new starter and leisure batterys.tried starting van today and flat battery. And leisure only 10v. Jumped van a nd measuring voltage. Main13.40 v and leisure not charging. Is there a relay somewhere? cheers

[dumper]

Are you sure you have put the wiring back correctly as for a relay it depends on who built it on my mk5 I used a vsr relay that you connected it between the van battery and the leisure battery it was not the modern b2b type you use on smart charging vans .

[mk3_wrc]

Mine had a bosch relay in the engine bay just above the engine battery, the 75a type Genuine Bosch Relay 0332002168.

It was nackered when we got the van, so replaced it, but now have lithium so fitted a b2b which outputs a much better voltage.

13.4 is a bit weak, alternator giving up a bit?

[Lyntransit]

Hi thanks for advice. I only changed the batteries so wires ok.on the leisure battery there's only two wires negative a d 1 positive going into loom. When I'm on hookup and zig set to charge leisure battery is charging. It's a old van but if I got a relay kit off Ebay would that solve it ?cheers

[dumper]

Sorry I’ve never had a zig unit on my vans but I know a mate of mine who had been camper vaning for years all he did was get a heavy duty glow plug relay activated by a ignition feed he’s Reasoning been that with it having a larger current capacity it would change the batteries better

[mk3_wrc]

Hi thanks for advice. I only changed the batteries so wires ok.on the leisure battery there's only two wires negative a d 1 positive going into loom. When I'm on hookup and zig set to charge leisure battery is charging. It's a old van but if I got a relay kit off Ebay would that solve it ?cheers

Are you lacking a split charge relay at all? Do you have a votronic or batterymaster from leisure battery to van battery to charge van battery when on hookup?
I fitted a 20a b2b on mine replacing the bosch relay but that was because of changing to lithium for the habitation battery.
Can you attach pictures of the wiring to the 2nd battery, does it go through a dedicated fuse box where it splits into lower loads? Mine used to split into a few blade fuses, 25a fed the habitation ebl, 15a for the fridge (which went through a relay to only work when the engine was running).
If its a motorhome specific issue, might be worth asking on a forum like motorhomefun.

[Lyntransit]

Hi i am assuming that the only red wire on leisure battery is to the zig unit .I don't know where the relay is if it has one all the fuses don't list a fuse or relay that's why I thought a cheap ebay split charge relay kit might do the job. Cheers

[mk3_wrc]

Hi i am assuming that the only red wire on leisure battery is to the zig unit .I don't know where the relay is if it has one all the fuses don't list a fuse or relay that's why I thought a cheap ebay split charge relay kit might do the job. Cheers

So ours had 1 wire to the lb but the split charge was wired in at the fuse box in the engine bay before it was sent back to the hab end.
An eBay split charge would do the job and if you got a smart one some of them pass charge back from the lb to the engine battery at a lower amp (1-3) to keep it topped up when on ehu or from solar.
We've got a voltronic on ours and the van has a 535w solar panel so we never have a flat starter.

[Lyntransit]

Hi thanks for the info. I will check fuse box for split charge stuff. That voltro ice sounds good will a solar panel also charge leisure battery aswell. Cheers

[mk3_wrc]

Hi thanks for the info. I will check fuse box for split charge stuff. That voltro ice sounds good will a solar panel also charge leisure battery aswell. Cheers

Yes mate, we can be off grid from late spring till early autumn running air fryer, induction hob, tv, etc. Panel keeps it all topped up. Compressor fridge, too.
If you have a 3-way fridge and no inverter you would benefit from 100w panel but 200w would give you more. Diesel heater takes some in winter and you lose a lot of the solar gain through late autumn to early spring but keeps the battery topped if not in use.
Would highly recommend.

[Lyntransit]

Hi I've found the relay its a durite p234-26 or 28 its hard to make out. Anyway it as 4 wires fitted i will try and trace were they all go on I'm trying to see if it as fuse between relay and leisure battery but haven't found that yet. Cheers

[MinorMatt]

Hi I've found the relay its a durite p234-26 or 28 its hard to make out. Anyway it as 4 wires fitted i will try and trace were they all go on I'm trying to see if it as fuse between relay and leisure battery but haven't found that yet. Cheers

Hi Lynn

a 4 wire relay will be triggered by the alternator.

On a 1993 you should have an alternator with 3 bolts under a little plastic cover. One wire should go there. The wire opposite that should be earthed, either directly to the main battery or the body of the van.

The other 2 wires - one should go to starter battery positive, and the other to the leisure battery positive.

Relays do go wrong - but its not all that common.

Does the battery light on the dashboard work as it should (i.e. it lights when the engine is off, and comes on when the engine is on)?

[Lyntransit]

Hi yes it has 3 bolts on alternator. I will have to trace where the 3 wires go. 2 red and a thin black/blue wire. The light comes on and stays on with engine running but someone as fitted a button key that if I press when running turns light off and I then get 14.3 volts to main battery. I can live with that but I might just fit a split charge kit . The cheap one on ebay. 1 wire from + main battery inline fuse then relay and then another inline fuse then to + leisure battery.