camper headache for a newbie!

daisymini

daisymini

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I love to learn new things and having just bought a very old bedford bambi my education is coming at a rapid rate..!!
I started with basics being a girlie by having it decorated inside, re-upholstering myself etc but neglected the reality of the mechanical side of things.
Started with trying to get my 12v tv to work..after much googling and looking on this amazing site with some useful tips task accomplished.
Re-sited my leisure battery from outside locker to under internal seat,(but then couldnt remember where the wires went..duh) more googling!!!
Thought i was all ready for my second trip out, only to find van wouldnt even start (more headache)
Now have that problem sorted but coz i moved the leisure battery from its original place now need to fit a split relay (never had one) So looked on here for advice found it and have now ordered said relay kit.
Wasnt confident with fitting said relay, so phoned auto mechanic...nearly fainted at the price..so once again i shall attempt it myself, So be ready for advice think i might need it!!
Lastly the only other thing i need is solar panel..!!
wish me luck!!!
 
did you get a smartcom relay,do you need further explanation?it really is fairly simple if you get your head round the set up,let us know what kind of help you need
 
relay

Yes i did..!! but then i questioned if id got the right one coz i got a 30amp but i have a 110ah battery, but i will only be running the tv off it so i hope this is ok..?
The van is old and has never been wired up for changing between 12v and mains..toyed with the idea of putting a zig unit in(a little ignorant of the workings of tings) but decided its too small and wouldnt be worth it.
My next problem is sussing the fridge out...lol
 
need to learn a lot more!

Could really do with somebody fairly local to ask their advice and check my attempts....seriously lack confidence...but as my 104yr old gran would say "you never know till you try"
 
i would have got the 40amp.30 might do it ok,its what's going into the battery from your engine's alternator,not whats coming out of it,i would put a 30amp fuse inline from your van battery to the leisure battery.what you reckon firefox and oldish hippy?
 
Thanks

Thanks n Brown will probably be picking your brains for advice if i get stuck..much appreciated..!
 
??

I did look for the 40amp coz i remembered you saying but i couldnt find one with all the wires etc...coz i dont know about wiring fuses etc thought id better get a kit.
 
You sound very competent, more than some of the men folk on here LOL, did you know that there is a BAMBI owners club, you could contact them for some first hand knowledge, good luck and enjoy your van.
 
right.is it a 'smart'relay or ,same thing, a voltage sensing relay. if your relay kit involves finding the ignition wire from the alternator then you may struggle,have a look at the instructions
 
bambi club

Im a member of the bambi club and went for my first meet with them mid April..Sadly it rained every day and couldnt really pick their brains....
They are a lovely group of people but....I have a different outlook on life and it wasnt quite for me.
I also felt i was one of the youngest and im not that young!!!!!...lol
 
relay

Its one where i do not have to wire to the alternator..its fused both ends at both batteries does this make sense...just checked its self switching?
 
good!how are the instructions,simple? the one i used had one wire going from battery through the relay to the other battery and another to the van body as an earth.did you get it off e bay?
 
daisymini said:
Its one where i do not have to wire to the alternator..its fused both ends at both batteries does this make sense...just checked its self switching?
Click to expand...

if you come along to one of our meets, i know for sure someone will help you install it

Jen
 
not received yet

i havent got it yet...but be warned when i do ill be straight on here looking for you to advise me....lol
surely it cant be that difficult...even for me???...hehehehehe
 
Rascal Enthusiasts - Owners Club & Forum may i point you in this direction a freindly site with lot of help and information much like this site well if you have moved your battery there must have been some sort of relay fitted have a 15 amp fuse fitted in my relay and my engine is the same as a bambi the 240 side of it shoulkld be completely sperate to 12 volt as you dont have a battery charger or control panel fitted but just by moving battery
 
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daisymini said:
Im a member of the bambi club and went for my first meet with them mid April..Sadly it rained every day and couldnt really pick their brains....
They are a lovely group of people but....I have a different outlook on life and it wasnt quite for me.
I also felt i was one of the youngest and im not that young!!!!!...lol
Click to expand...
Well don't give up on them after only one Meet, not all turn up on a particular Meet so next time there may be a lot of different faces to meet and chat too, after all Strangers are the Friends we have not yet met .:wave::wave:
 
i certainly will not give up on them and i will attend other meets they are so friendly.
And im going to my first meet on here to the ladies meet next weekend..looking forward to it..!!
Im am also looking forward to the June meet (van being worthy) to meet everybody else and hopefully share some knowledge..x
 
Strangers are the Friends we have not yet met .


I really like that:lol-053:

What a nice saying.....as a person with a small group of friends it gives hope.......
 
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multimeter

I have looked at getting one of these, even you tubed to see how to work one...i know i should learn as this would be invaluable (and necessary)..but it gave me brain overload...
I think ill attempt the wiring and get somebody who knows what they are doing to check ive done things right.
but if i think i cant do it ill save it for the June meet and hopefully have some hands on advice.
 
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