FraRon charger

[silverbambi]

Fingers crossed the starter battery should be fine but I like to leave the radio on sometimes and it's easy to leave a light on in the front. Call it paranoia but I found it better to have both linked up and charged.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

Sounds pretty sensible to me, especially where you live.

 

[silverbambi]

Offley, I’m Breachwood Green... Nice to see another local Bus!

I must have driven past your place many times as that is often our 'scenic' route on our way south. Lovely area. Regards, Gordon

 

[silverbambi]

Trying to get my email address to you. I am now a VIP Member so can send a PM message – when I work how to. Gordon

Hello sidepod, Don't want to be a nuisance to you. Did you get my message? Are you still up for helping me? Thanks, Gordon

 

[sidepod]

Hello sidepod, Don't want to be a nuisance to you. Did you get my message? Are you still up for helping me? Thanks, Gordon

No? Where did you send it?

 

[silverbambi]

No? Where did you send it?

Have sent my email address as a message (I hope).

Let me know if it as indeed arrived.

 

[sidepod]

Fingers crossed the starter battery should be fine but I like to leave the radio on sometimes and it's easy to leave a light on in the front. Call it paranoia but I found it better to have both linked up and charged.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

So Matt, looking at the Fraron unit, two + output connections, leisure and starter I assume?

There seems to be only one switch to select the type of battery in use (Gel/AGM etc). I take it both get the same charge type regardless of the fact the starter battery will likely be lead acid?

 

[Padraic]

This is what I was wondering about? Gel and Lead acid batteries require different charging profiles.
Sounds like the Fraron sends the same charging profile to both outputs. I wonder did the westy charger with the second output have a different profile for the starter battery?

 

[sidepod]

This is what I was wondering about? Gel and Lead acid batteries require different charging profiles.
Sounds like the Fraron sends the same charging profile to both outputs. I wonder did the westy charger with the second output have a different profile for the starter battery?

I bought a new original Westy unit for my last van. It did have two separate outputs but no switch or setting. I’ve no idea what was going on inside. Obvs there were never any charging issues with either batteries.

 

[ArcticMatt]

So Matt, looking at the Fraron unit, two + output connections, leisure and starter I assume?

There seems to be only one switch to select the type of battery in use (Gel/AGM etc). I take it both get the same charge type regardless of the fact the starter battery will likely be lead acid?

The manual states: (after translating)

GEL: Switch position for charging sealed GEL batteries and for
closed lead acid batteries (maintenance free WET batteries where no
Water can be refilled)

Really it should say that on the switch to make it a little more clear.

 

[ArcticMatt]

The other settings are:

WET / AGM switch position for charging open lead-acid batteries (not maintenance-free
Batteries, where distilled water can be topped up) and AGM
AGM 1: Switch position for charging AGM batteries, which has a charge end voltage
require from 14.6V to 14.8V.

 

[Sleepyboy]

Would anyone be interested in buying my (dead) original Westfalia/Phillips charger?

I'm more than happy with my Fraron replacement and I can't see me wanting to repair the original now.

I've not opened it up, but it seems the big yellow capacitor in the corner has blown and spread lovely black gunk over the board.

Open to offers - I am in Northamptonshire, and would prefer collection if possible but can arrange for it to be picked up from Bristol or Warrington if they are easier.

 

[bxl_lad]

I think your sales pitch was going well until you lost us at 'black gunk' ...

But from what I've seen there is a market for dead units - seems generally they're able to be repaired (so long as not too much damage), by someone with good electronics knowledge.

I've also a dead unit that I looked into having repaired. I had quotes from 100-200€ to have it fixed... I'm happy too with the Fraron so will sit on the old unit and maybe one day when I'm feeling bored I will have a go myself to fix it (though i guess that day will never come!)...

 

[Sleepyboy]

I think your sales pitch was going well until you lost us at 'black gunk' ...

But from what I've seen there is a market for dead units - seems generally they're able to be repaired (so long as not too much damage), by someone with good electronics knowledge.

I've also a dead unit that I looked into having repaired. I had quotes from 100-200€ to have it fixed... I'm happy too with the Fraron so will sit on the old unit and maybe one day when I'm feeling bored I will have a go myself to fix it (though i guess that day will never come!)...

"Black Gunk" - just being honest with it!!

It will be one of those "I'll fix it up one day" things on the shelf but honestly I can't see that happening soon so was offering it up to see if another Westy user wants to take on the challenge.

In reality it will need a good clean and probably a few soldered components renewing to make it work again but could be a good value alternative to the €599 plus delivery that Gunzl wants for a new one.

 

[ArcticMatt]

I gave my working unit away for free to a lad in Norway who did me a favour and who could repair electronics. If it doesnt charge they I wouldn't either.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

 

[sidepod]

Lost me with “dead” and “buy”

 

[sidepod]

Ill have first dibs if your giving it away?

 

[ajdowson]

Hi,

Need to find a way to charge up the starter battery when on hook up - I don't use it that much and a flat battery is not uncommon. I'm happy to leave the T4 plugged into the 230v and have a wifi/timer socket to give the camper power for e.g. just the weekend.

My westfalia charger is dead - and what I thought was a T4 specialist installed a new charger in a cupboard when it broke. Not a great job but hey ho. I would have just put in a FraRon in now if I'd know more at the time. The charger there is a 10000 job that does have 6 step charging etc. so not too dumb but just charges the leisure battery. I did used to think that the westfalia charger did do both batteries both but read above that it didn't. I had thought that there were two separate + and - connections on the six terminals at the westfalia charger - what do these actually connect to? Is there wiring to the starter battery available under the fridge?

As it stands there is room under the fridge for something like a ctek charger and I was wondering if I could link that to the 240v that is already there and find wiring to the starter battery? Would this be safe? I'm unsure if something like a ctek can be left without access or whether you have to press a button?

The other option is to just plug in a ctek into one of the mains sockets behind the drivers seat and plug into e.g. the cig socket (which is always live). Might be easier but less convenient than a "fit and forget" which would be better.

Grateful for any thoughts on options. Cheers!

 

[Padraic]

Hi,

Need to find a way to charge up the starter battery when on hook up - I don't use it that much and a flat battery is not uncommon. I'm happy to leave the T4 plugged into the 230v and have a wifi/timer socket to give the camper power for e.g. just the weekend.

My westfalia charger is dead - and what I thought was a T4 specialist installed a new charger in a cupboard when it broke. Not a great job but hey ho. I would have just put in a FraRon in now if I'd know more at the time. The charger there is a 10000 job that does have 6 step charging etc. so not too dumb but just charges the leisure battery. I did used to think that the westfalia charger did do both batteries both but read above that it didn't. I had thought that there were two separate + and - connections on the six terminals at the westfalia charger - what do these actually connect to? Is there wiring to the starter battery available under the fridge?

As it stands there is room under the fridge for something like a ctek charger and I was wondering if I could link that to the 240v that is already there and find wiring to the starter battery? Would this be safe? I'm unsure if something like a ctek can be left without access or whether you have to press a button?

The other option is to just plug in a ctek into one of the mains sockets behind the drivers seat and plug into e.g. the cig socket (which is always live). Might be easier but less convenient than a "fit and forget" which would be better.

Grateful for any thoughts on options. Cheers!

Hi, If your westfalia charger is not working a Freron charger may be the best option. However a Cetek charger is also an option. But as you said it would be awkward if you have to press buttons on it each time its switched on.

 

[sidepod]

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/engine-battery-charger-install.21891/

 

[ajdowson]

Just looked at this but my original charger does not seem to have the extra plug for the "starter battery".

http://www.westfaliat4.info/WestfaliaBatteryChargerTechInfoWM.pdf

 

[ajdowson]

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/engine-battery-charger-install.21891/

Thanks for link - very useful - I guess that answers one question - I can just leave a Ctek unaccessable and it will (when powered) start charging the battery correctly (and I assume automatically enter bulk/float etc. modes without intervention.

I have an early T4 (1991) so don't seem to have a starter battery output on the westfalia charger (just the six block connector and mains).

I have ordered a C14 to Mains adaptor so was planning on using the existing plug.

I don't have the split charge BOSCH connector that is shown in your thread. Hmm. I wonder if this was just missing on the earlier vans.

Do I really need a means to isolate the mains supply to the charger? Just unplugging the van will isolate all mains so I don't necessarily see a problem having the charger running all the time when the van is plugged in. Any issues with this? Even when I hook up the van for long periods, I will control the supply of 240v to the van via a wifi socket (hence only powered for 48 hours at weekends and off during the week - should be plenty to keep both batteries topped up without overcharging).

Finally - dumb question - is the leisure battery and starter battery on a common (chassis) negative? Or are they isolated (with the leisure I assume not on chassis?)

 

[ajdowson]

Also - if there isn't a starter battery wire in that compartment - what is the easiest way to get one there? Looks like a real faff!

 

[Padraic]

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/engine-battery-charger-install.21891/

Just a query regarding the Ctek charger you picked, any particular one better than another? Does your one just start charging when on hookup, or do you have to press any buttons on the charger?

 

[sidepod]

Also - if there isn't a starter battery wire in that compartment - what is the easiest way to get one there? Looks like a real faff!

You most certainly have a split charge relay under the fridge somewhere or in the battery compartment. Find this and you have the link to the starter battery.

Regarding separate isolation for the
Ctek, in theory no you don’t need it but it is good practice to have isolation for all items. For the small amount of work to wire it so, it’s worth it.

All batteries share a similar earth.

 

[sidepod]

Just a query regarding the Ctek charger you picked, any particular one better than another? Does your one just start charging when on hookup, or do you have to press any buttons on the charger?

No it just begins charging as soon as hook up is connected.
The unit I chose is a small one so is best suited to trickle/top up. The starter battery is unlikely to ever go flat so will never need a deep charge. I suppose the next unit up would be better.
I think our man in Belgium went this route?