Mazda Bongo.

[Keith/Oxford]

Hi, just joined today!
I need some help please.
I have just purchase a Mazda Bongo Friendee....2002. My problem is I’m not sure which battery, main or leisure, is
running my fridge, a Vitrifrigo.
No. 1.......if I’m on site, hooked up to electric, is my fridge being charged by the hook up or by my main battery?
No. 2.......if I’m not on hook up and switch in my fridge, which of my batteries is powering it?
No.3........if I’m just driving around with my fridge on, which battery is supplying the power?

These are probably straightforward questions for you out there, but I’m very confused.
would appreciate your help and advice. Many thanks, Keith.

 

[movan]

Hlo and welcome.. Someone will be along soon to help.

scotzsue do you have a bongo. I think you were looking at one at one time?

 

[Odd-no-more]

Hi first we need to know what type of fridge, they often fitted 12 volt compressor fridges in Bongos.

I had a Bongo for years they are great

 

[Baldeagle7470]

Hi and another big Enjoy.

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Hi Keith and welcome.

You will have your answer shortly Im sure. Ideally though...which fridge do you have ? Is it a 3 way fridge or what?

kev

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[scotzsue]

[

Hlo and welcome.. Someone will be along soon to help.

scotzsue do you have a bongo. I think you were looking at one at one time?

No sorry I have a converted fiat Doblo.

 

[Keith/Oxford]

I think it must be a compressor fridge.........not really sure. Nothing leads out from the fridge.....if that helps.
it just has the name Vitrifrigo on the outside. It’s switched on from inside.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Vitrifrigo make 12 volt compressor and 3 way fridges, if it only has 1 control knob its likely to be a compressor fridge. If so it should run from the leisure battery. It will be powered by the engine when it is running and from the battery charger when on ECU. To check connect a multi meter to the leisure battery and then switch the fridge on, if the voltage drops that is the battery that is running it

 

[Keith/Oxford]

That sounds helpful, I’ll check it out. Many thanks Indeed.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Good luck and enjoy your Bongo is it the diesel 4wd? With the electric power roof?

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[autorouter]

No.3........if I’m just driving around with my fridge on, which battery is supplying the power?

When the engine is running, the alternator is generating power. It charges the starter battery and leisure battery, and also powers the 12V fridge.

 

[Podney]

Hello and welcome!

If you dont get all the info you need,put your questions on the Technical/Mechanical forum on here

 

[autorouter]

I think it must be a compressor fridge.........not really sure.

3-way fridges have a gas supply, so if there's no sign of that it's probably a compressor type. If you can hear the compressor motor that is also an indication. A 3-way fridge doesn't have a motor and is very silent.

 

[two]

Welcome.
I do not know which battery will be feeding your fridge, but imagine that it may be the habitation battery (rather than the starter). You might be able to prove that by isolating the habitation battery (big rotating switch somewhere) and checking that the fridge goes off. I imagine that the habitation battery will be charged, somehow, by the engine when it it running.
When on EHU, your charger will top up the habitation battery.
If the above is the case, your fridge will be running off the battery at all times. When on EHU, the mains will be running the fridge indirectly, via the battery. Similarly, when the engine is running, your alternator will be providing power.
Enjoy planning future trips. You should get out in it eventually.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Never say never, but I have not seen a 3 way fridge in a Bongo, the Bongos are very small and normally only have a gas hob and a camping gaz bottle which is too small to run a fridge.
I found this out when I changed to a MOHO and kept the camping gaz bottle. The bottle lasted a year in the Bongo but 2 days in the MOHO with a boiler and fridge.

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[Phil 748]

Hi when we had a Toyota camper it used PMS3 it may be one of these see attached user instructions

 

[Odd-no-more]

The Bongo was always converted after import by many converters and so there are many makes of battery management controls, they all do the same thing but can look very different. If the OP can post a picture we may be able to offer more help

 

[the1andonly]

As The Ex-Gasman says all bongos are mpvs converted on import by several conversion companies or self converted eg mine. There is no standard wiring configuration, it is also conceivable that there is no mains charger and a 12v fridge is connected to a hab battery charged by a split charge relay. To use a 3 way fridge on ehu may require plugging in separately. If a 2002 best guess is a 2.5 v6 or a 2.0 petrol tin top. A meter and above advise is required to sort your questions.
My ezitil fridge was a 12v compressor with integrated 230v power adaptor so could have 2 leads.

 

[Cush]

Hi keith
I had a bongo with side conversion with fridge for many years. Miss it greatly.
If you have a conversion and not running a cool box then Under the bonnet you should have 2 batteries. On the left is the vehicle battery which should have a relay, durite or such, that charges the leisure battery on the right using the alternator. My power manage system PMS 3 ran off this leisure battery.

Depending on where in Japan your import came from, it may have had a second vehicle battery on the right but these are a less common beast.

If its a fridge, and not one of their cool boxes, it will run off the leisure battery . When driving the leisure battery will be charged by the engine otherwise it will eventually (couple of days) run down the leisure battery.

When on EHU the PMS3 system has a built in smart charger which will charge both your leisure and vehicle battery.

Your fridge / cool box is unlikely to be a 3 way and shouldn't need gas.

Hope this helps. The bongo Fury forum was very helpful for advice and parts source too (speak to George at Bongo Spares too)
Good luck and enjoy your van. Mine succumbed to the rot.
Cush

 

[Odd-no-more]

I think we have lost the OP no sign for a while now.

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[Keith/Oxford]

Many thanks to you all for advice and information. Going to have a good look today. I’m more knowledgeable thanks to the help received. Looking forward to being an active member of the forum.
keith

 

[Odd-no-more]

Many thanks to you all for advice and information. Going to have a good look today. I’m more knowledgeable thanks to the help received. Looking forward to being an active member of the forum.
keith

Glad to see you back
Good luck

 

[Vipar]

Greetings peeps welcome from West Kent