Odd electrics issue

Mixerfistit · 2023-06-18 12:49:29

I wonder if anyone has noticed odd behaviour with 12v socket devices on ignition start or if its unique to my van.

I have 2 devices used regularly, and both don't alway like how the van powers up for some reason. One is a usb charger, it always powers up but if my phone is plugged init will often trigger a MOISTURE DETECTED IN CHARGING PORT alarm not unlike red alert on the USS Enterprise D! This only happens in the van (cables and charger regularly used in other vehicles tried a different cable etc etc)

My other device is a 4g wifi dongle. Sometimes it just doesn't come on until I pull out and push back in after ignition and it runs fine.

I've since run a second 12v socket into the rear (those round holes in the bulkheads are a perfect fit and loads of room to run wires). It is independent of the dash 12v socket but still connects to an "unused" port in the glove box fuse board. The behaviour is identical though.

I've noticed that when clicking through the ignition key the power is cut even between first and second clicks which isn't something I've noticed on other vehicles (it is a 3rd party ignition barrel, maybe that's something to do with it?) so maybe it's the quick power on/off/on that's upsetting the devices?

tee_cee · 2023-06-18 16:07:43

I've had the same issue with my (supercap) dashcam. I just put it down to the cranking voltage drop. I fitted an AT41 inline timer with a delay of 20s, and that fixed it.

OAT · 2023-06-18 22:13:23

Sounds like it might relate to circuit protection within individual devices reacting to erratic startup voltages?

tee-cee's delayed start up is an elegant solution.

Mixerfistit · 2023-06-22 18:08:55

Agreed, sounds like a nice solution.

I'll pick up a few of them seeing as they're cheap as chips (pun very much intended).

Mixerfistit · 2023-06-30 18:58:45

So about to revisit this.
Many thanks for the suggestions, but I have a concern about the max current of 1500mA for the At41 - fine for the permanent siting of my dongle but my phone charger is apparently capable of superfast charging which would mean it could be up to 3-4A at 12V plus useability for compressors etc.

It did point me in the direction of other devices though and even on amazon there's 10A (under £5) and 20A (under £10) so I think I'll invest in one of those.. Unless I'm completely missing the point and you're connecting the AT41 to manage a relay or something?

tee_cee · 2023-06-30 19:06:30

Yes, powering a relay that feeds a manual switch to charge the leisure batteries (so I dont try to start the van with the leisure batteries). Also feeding the dashcam, which is indeed less than 1.5A.
I had looked at timer relays, but they seemed expensive.

tee_cee · 2023-07-03 16:01:44

Just remembered that on my 2002 1.9D there was an "engine running" relay, which is fed from the the ECU via F6 (immobiliser fuse). This will give a steady 12v.

Last edited by tee_cee (2023-07-03 16:02:10)

JohnDragonMan · 2023-07-03 22:48:23

i always did it from the oil light on old stuff. oil light and a 5 pin relay getting its switched power source from an ignition live so its not live when the ignition is off. it works real well.

Last edited by JohnDragonMan (2023-07-03 22:48:59)

kenbw2 · 2023-07-04 00:41:01

I use the blower motor fuse for my relay, which only runs once the engine is running (I gather it's if the alternator is putting out juice)

Last edited by kenbw2 (2023-07-04 00:41:14)

Mixerfistit · 2023-07-05 17:25:41

Ken has reminded me of another thing I've noticed. Sometimes my blower will stay on at engine off (1 click and 2 click on the key) it never stays on with key fully off though.
I wonder if that's a sticky relay

kenbw2 · 2023-07-06 14:24:16

Mixerfistit wrote:

Ken has reminded me of another thing I've noticed. Sometimes my blower will stay on at engine off (1 click and 2 click on the key) it never stays on with key fully off though.
I wonder if that's a sticky relay

I had exactly that too. After a lot of tracking down I found it was a broken signal wire from the alternator

My alternator has two chunky cables and one thin one. The thin one, the wire had broken just behind the connector. Fixed that and the blower only came on with the engine running

Mixerfistit · 2023-10-05 23:27:12

You could be on to something there, I don't think I've noticed it happen since I changed my alternator so could've been a bad connection.

As for the other cables, one obviously for the battery but I think the other thick one is for the glow plugs. At least, I had glow plug fault codes stored when the alternator was fitted and left one of the cables loose. Not sure why it doesn't come straight off the battery.

I also have a 4th wire coming off that post as my air horn is mounted in the free space near the washer filler so made more sense as there's also a tidy earth point on the wing.

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#1 2023-06-18 12:49:29

Odd electrics issue

#2 2023-06-18 16:07:43

Re: Odd electrics issue

#3 2023-06-18 22:13:23

Re: Odd electrics issue

#4 2023-06-22 18:08:55

Re: Odd electrics issue

#5 2023-06-30 18:58:45

Re: Odd electrics issue

#6 2023-06-30 19:06:30

Re: Odd electrics issue

#7 2023-07-03 16:01:44

Re: Odd electrics issue

#8 2023-07-03 22:48:23

Re: Odd electrics issue

#9 2023-07-04 00:41:01

Re: Odd electrics issue

#10 2023-07-05 17:25:41

Re: Odd electrics issue

#11 2023-07-06 14:24:16

Re: Odd electrics issue

#12 2023-10-05 23:27:12

Re: Odd electrics issue

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