probs with winch grade split charger

I recently installed a T-Max split charge relay for my twin batts as I have a winch. Anyway it seemed to be working ok when I had the V8 in, but since I installed the 200tdi I've been having probs with it. then that could be a coincidence?

The problem is my batterys were always going flat after a very short time. I took it to my local garage who I trust, and said for a start the 2nd battery is totally knackered, but the main batt is ok, so all the power from the good batt is draining into the bad one! He also said he thinks it's faulty, as the relay is working all the time, and he says it should go off when the engines off?

He thinks I've wired it in ok, and so do I. I dont think he was 100% as to what was wrong with it though. He disconnected the negative terminal from the bad battery, and it starts fine now. So do you think its simply just the knackered battery thats causing the probs?

I've got another new one on order, and I'll fit it as it was, but dont want to cause any probs. Any ideas anyone?

Very likely! The knackered battery is going to continuosly be demanding charge. I would suggest a new battery before messing with anything else.

Out of interest, are you a heavy winch user? I run my Warn from the standard battery when I need it without problem. I am just trying to understand what level of use requires a seperate battery setup?

Airways said:

Very likely! The knackered battery is going to continuosly be demanding charge. I would suggest a new battery before messing with anything else.

Out of interest, are you a heavy winch user? I run my Warn from the standard battery when I need it without problem. I am just trying to understand what level of use requires a seperate battery setup?

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No I'm not a heavy winch user, it's all just belt and braces stuff really. I'd rather have the extra power and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Besides, I use my light bar with 4 lamps, plus two driving lamps I've also wired in, plus the ordinary lights on a dark green lane. I just want to make sure I can see every rock and tree! lol. Plus I may get a fridge/freezer later for when I go on a planned trip to Morocco, so again the extra power would be useful, plus I may wire in more toys later lol. You just never know when your going to want more power!

'T-Max' are sending me a new relay anyway, so it'll do as a spare if the old one does turn out to be faulty, or if it really does go later on.
Thanks for the reply anyway.

I wired my own T-max unit in.

When you turn the engine off, after 4 minutes or so(ive forgotten the exact time) you should hear the solenoid "clack". If your not hearing this then it is probably a faulty solenoid, or its wired incorrectly(but you say its wired ok). They are a mass produced unit, its just the circuit board and LED box thats unique to T-max. Does the manual link button work when pressed?

I would have thought taking the battery out and getting it tested and if necessary replaced is the best thing to do.

BIG_GINGA_BEARD said:

I wired my own T-max unit in.

When you turn the engine off, after 4 minutes or so(ive forgotten the exact time) you should hear the solenoid "clack". If your not hearing this then it is probably a faulty solenoid, or its wired incorrectly(but you say its wired ok). They are a mass produced unit, its just the circuit board and LED box thats unique to T-max. Does the manual link button work when pressed?

I would have thought taking the battery out and getting it tested and if necessary replaced is the best thing to do.

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It used to 'clack' when I first had it like you said, but not anymore. My landy has been standing unused for a few months while I've replaced the engine and restored it. So maybe it's siezed? And I think the manual link button does work when pressed.

landie man said:

It used to 'clack' when I first had it like you said, but not anymore. My landy has been standing unused for a few months while I've replaced the engine and restored it. So maybe it's siezed? And I think the manual link button does work when pressed.

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Its unusual it should stop working. I dont know too much about solenoids but maybe your bad battery has affected it, quite how i have no idea. it could have shorted it?!

See what happens when you replace the battery.