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AZ_CreamPuff Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2016 Posts: 54 Location: Payson, Arizona
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2017 6:23 pm Post subject: Testing fridge/sink double relay keyed ignition |
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| I don't think I am getting power to the fridge or signaling the battery isolator to "turn off" when the engine is running. I tested the terminal on the relay using a multimeter and 0's across the board when the van is off and on. Bad relay or poor process? |
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Timwhy Samba Member

Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 4100 Location: Maine
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MarkWard Samba Member

Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 19017 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 10:08 am Post subject: Re: Testing fridge/sink double relay keyed ignition |
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| Year of van and you mention isolator. Are you referring to the stock relay under the driver's seat or something that has been added on? |
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AZ_CreamPuff Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2016 Posts: 54 Location: Payson, Arizona
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Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 7:27 pm Post subject: Re: Testing fridge/sink double relay keyed ignition |
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| It's the stock relay. I have the gowesty auxiliary setup. For now. Needs to keyed ignition pin, which I think is #30 to essentially turn the isolator off and allow both batteries to charge. Fuses are good. |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member

Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10504 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 9:14 am Post subject: Re: Testing fridge/sink double relay keyed ignition |
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| AZ_CreamPuff wrote: |
| It's the stock relay. I have the gowesty auxiliary setup. For now. Needs to keyed ignition pin, which I think is #30 to essentially turn the isolator off and allow both batteries to charge. Fuses are good. |
If youre referring to 30 on the stock "fridge" relay, that 30 is connected to the 30 buss (circuit) of the van. On a vw, 30 is constant positive; its not switched. And, turning key to ignition on will not open or close that relay. That relay is controlled by power from alternator D+ coming through the blue wire. When engine is running, that relay closes allowing positive to flow inside relay from relay 30 to relay 87 then from 87 out to fuse then to fridge.
With engine off, your meter set to proper dc range, black probe to clean ground, red probe on fridge relay 30, you should see battery voltage. Moving only the red probe, to fridge relay 87, you should see no voltage. Engine running, you should then see battery voltage (or slightly higher) at relay 87.
If the battery isolator is not connecting the batteries when engine is running, assuming your fridge positive wire connects to the aux battery, when driving with fridge in, that battery will get discharged; it wont be getting lower from the alternator. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)
1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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crazyvwvanman Samba Member

Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 10452 Location: Orbiting San Diego
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 9:27 am Post subject: Re: Testing fridge/sink double relay keyed ignition |
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Not true in this case. For the under seat fridge relay VW reversed the main power terminals of the relay. Look at the Westy wiring diagram. Power in on 87 and out to the fridge on 30. They did this so a dual 87 pin relay could act as a junction (splitter) and a relay.
Mark
| Vanagon Nut wrote: |
| ..If youre referring to 30 on the stock "fridge" relay, that 30 is connected to the 30 buss (circuit) of the van. On a vw, 30 is constant positive; its not switched. And, turning key to ignition on will not open or close that relay. That relay is controlled by power from alternator D+ coming through the blue wire. When engine is running, that relay closes allowing positive to flow inside relay from relay 30 to relay 87 then from 87 out to fuse then to fridge... |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member

Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10504 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 1:51 pm Post subject: Re: Testing fridge/sink double relay keyed ignition |
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Dag nab it. First time I don't consult my Bentley..... Thanks Mark.
My apologies to the OP.
Regarding the OP's "fridge/sink" in subject the other 87 pin on that relay should show "always on" (constant) power and supplies that fused power to sink pump, battery/water level indicator, and fridge fan.
Neil.
| crazyvwvanman wrote: |
Not true in this case. For the under seat fridge relay VW reversed the main power terminals of the relay. Look at the Westy wiring diagram. Power in on 87 and out to the fridge on 30. They did this so a dual 87 pin relay could act as a junction (splitter) and a relay.
Mark
| Vanagon Nut wrote: |
| ..If youre referring to 30 on the stock "fridge" relay, that 30 is connected to the 30 buss (circuit) of the van. On a vw, 30 is constant positive; its not switched. |
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_________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)
1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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AZ_CreamPuff Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2016 Posts: 54 Location: Payson, Arizona
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 10:27 am Post subject: Re: Testing fridge/sink double relay keyed ignition |
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| Thanks guys. Just got back from my trip. Going to head to the FLAPS to procure a relay if they have it. Luckily when I wired up the auction battery I made everything reversible. Made me nervous running everything on the start battery but that was the only hiccup all trip. Can't complain |
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