Galaxy Ghia 1.9 Tdi, 51 Plate, Split Charge Relay Advice

[waveydave1968]

Hi this is my first topic on this forum so here goes.

 

I have a 51 plate Galaxy Ghia tdi 113bhp which was first registered in 2002.

We currently use it regularly for camping trips and in the past have flattened the battery using the onboard cigar sockets for running a multitude of 12v gizmos. This being the case I have since bought an 100Amp voltage sensitive split charge relay kit to enable a leisure battery to be connected and charged by the alternator.

This kit doesnt need the usual trigger cable spliced into the ignition warning light connection to the alternator! It does however require a 10mm2 fused cable being run from the starter battery in the engine compartment to the auxillery leisure battery which will be located in the rear behind the back row seats. This routing the 10mm2 cable part of the installation is causing problems.

I'm wanting to find the easiest way and possibly even go underneath the Galaxy with this cable secured and contained in round split conduit to protect it from the elements.

I'd welcome some advice on a good route for the cable and has anyone else done this type of modification on a similar car.

 

cheers Dave

[bj2004]

Ive done similar i just ran mine under trim and carpet onpassenger side fuse it tho at car battery battery end or take supply from auxilary fuse box

[chrispb123456]

Ive done similar i just ran mine under trim and carpet onpassenger side fuse it tho at car battery battery end or take supply from auxilary fuse box

Just to add may be a good idea to solder the two large cables to the crimped spade terminals in the auxiliary fuse box (if they haven't been done already) melting of the fuse box does occur here due to high resistance in these joints.

[waveydave1968]

Ive done similar i just ran mine under trim and carpet onpassenger side fuse it tho at car battery battery end or take supply from auxilary fuse box

 

Cheers for the replys. I guess the auxillery fuse box, is the box that is connected from the alternator to the battery under the bonnet?

This fuse box I had to replace once, due to a the main cable melting it on a poor loose connection? Believe it's a common fault on Galaxies!

Also which fuse could I get a supply feed from? I ask this as the relay is 100A and the protective fuses supplied are 50A.

From under the bonnet whats the best way to gain access into the car through the bulkhead? as it seems pretty compact in the engine bay!

 

Once again thanks for your help

Dave

[chrispb123456]

If your going to run them inside down passenger side if you look down behind the ABS valve block and down a bit on the bulkhead there is a rubber grommet you can remove, make a hole and pass cable through, it comes through inside to the left of the heater blower you may need to remove glove box to access.

[bj2004]

Yes thats where i brought mine in just because the relay is rated at 100 amps dosnt mean thats what you will use your max will more likely be 25-30 and then only briefly Edited April 2, 2011 by bj2004

[waveydave1968]

If your going to run them inside down passenger side if you look down behind the ABS valve block and down a bit on the bulkhead there is a rubber grommet you can remove, make a hole and pass cable through, it comes through inside to the left of the heater blower you may need to remove glove box to access.

 

Hi,

Many thanks for your replies

I've had a look behind the ABS valve block and found what seems to be the round grommet! It looks around 50mm in diameter? Theres a smaller 25mm circular disc shape higher up but this looks more like a moulding in the bulkhead. I cant physically touch either to confirm they're rubber, even tried getting a photo, but cant get near enough as they are both quite obscured with the coolent expansion bottle etc.

Did you drill it from the engine bay or guestimate it, strip down the glove box and surrounding areas and drill it from inside the car.

 

Once again thanks for your help

Dave

[chrispb123456]

Took the grommet out to make the holes then refit, for easier access remove bulkhead extension plate (3 bolts) and the glove box

[jonbob]

On the mark II TDi, is there not already some wiring under the front passenger seat for the optional programmable auxilliary heater battery, which would already have a split charge supply?

Jon

[chrispb123456]

On the mark II TDi, is there not already some wiring under the front passenger seat for the optional programmable auxilliary heater battery, which would already have a split charge supply?

Jon

Er no!!

[George106]

I am about to fit 16mm2 cable which is really thick but is summer coming, I would play with auxiliary battery in autumn at earliest. I already used above mentioned grommet for running three bunches of wires (aux heater sensor switch, feed for programmable aux heater and separate feed for two cigarette sockets).

 

Question is where would you ventilate this battery? Also where would you fit split relay and fuses? I bought heavy duty fuse holders, relay etc. from this ebay seller.

 

George

[waveydave1968]

I am about to fit 16mm2 cable which is really thick but is summer coming, I would play with auxiliary battery in autumn at earliest. I already used above mentioned grommet for running three bunches of wires (aux heater sensor switch, feed for programmable aux heater and separate feed for two cigarette sockets).

 

Question is where would you ventilate this battery? Also where would you fit split relay and fuses? I bought heavy duty fuse holders, relay etc. from this ebay seller.

 

George

 

Im planning on fitting the leisure battery behind the last row of seats in the rear of the vehicle.

As for ventilating the battery, my thoughts on this were to open the rear vent windows. As this leisure battery will only be being charging up through this split charge system when the engine is running and the vehicle is moving.

I've seen other similar split charge systems in landrovers and vans inside the cab under the seats etc. Its obviously not advisable to smoke near a charging battery and they deserve some respect in use.

 

In my kit which is a voltage sensitive type, The fused positive link and relay itself could be installed close to the starter battery compartment. This then continues through another fuse at the other end where the leisure battery is situated. The only other connections are a thin wire from the relay to the starter batteries -tive terminal, and a grounding cable from a suitable earthing point to the leasure batteries -tive terminal.

Also keep any wiring that is unfused to an absolute minimum.