Positioning of Wire underneath Bonnet.

[ranagazoo]

So I've had my van in for an MOT, Service and a stop start issue resolved. They put the fault down to a faulty BCM on the battery.

After this work was complete they informed me that the original battery clamp was a genuine VW part and have replaced it with a genuine one with captive nut and bolt. In the process they have removed the wire connected that was for my smart charger leaving me without electrics for my campervan set up in the back. I don't have a photo of before as didnt think they would need to touch this part of the battery for the works.

The wire was originally connected to the negative side of the battery.

I've attached photos to help to show what im trying to explain.

 

[doncarlyon]

Follow the batteries negative back to the van body, then connect your loose cable to the same place if possible?

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

So I've had my van in for an MOT, Service and a stop start issue resolved. They put the fault down to a faulty BCM on the battery.

After this work was complete they informed me that the original battery clamp was a genuine VW part and have replaced it with a genuine one with captive nut and bolt. In the process they have removed the wire connected that was for my smart charger leaving me without electrics for my campervan set up in the back. I don't have a photo of before as didnt think they would need to touch this part of the battery for the works.

The wire was originally connected to the negative side of the battery.

I've attached photos to help to show what im trying to explain.

View attachment 301490

View attachment 301491

Why was a red wire you said was for the smart charger attached to the negative terminal of the battery in the first place ?
Surely it should be attached to the positive terminal?

 

[DXX]

As @theflyingscotswoman said.

 

[ranagazoo]

Why was a red wire you said was for the smart charger attached to the negative terminal of the battery in the first place ?
Surely it should be attached to the positive terminal?

The wire is black

 

[Pauly]

The garage are correct and nothing should be connected directly to the negative terminal of the battery
Easiest option is to connect it to the chassis somewhere and you should be good to go

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

The wire is black

Ah! I now see that’s your finger not a red wire
As above find a decent point on the chassis to bolt it too.
Make sure there’s no paint below the wire and chassis.

 

[ranagazoo]

Ah! I now see that’s your finger not a red wire
As above find a decent point on the chassis to bolt it too.
Make sure there’s no paint below the wire and chassis.

I've gone with this point, is this OK or is another earth point better suited?

 

[DXX]

Ideally you want the wire as short as possible as with all DC wiring to avoid voltage loss.
That would mean near the charger.

 

[ranagazoo]

Ideally you want the wire as short as possible as with all DC wiring to avoid voltage loss.
That would mean near the charger.

My charger etc are all in the back of the van.

 

[doncarlyon]

Hard to tell where that is, but should be able to use an earthing point nearby.

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

My charger etc are all in the back of the van.

View attachment 301497

Makes me wonder why they would run a cable from the charger all the way to the negative terminal of the battery in the first place?
It’s much more simple to find a decent ground in the back not to mention the correct way to do it.
As mentioned above there should be no additional cables attached the batteries negative terminal.
They have installed the best of components too. All lovely blue victron stuff.

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

I've gone with this point, is this OK or is another earth point better suited?

I can’t see a pic ?

 

[ranagazoo]

I can’t see a pic ?

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

View attachment 301510

That will be fine but I would scrape the black paint off around the hole with a bit rough sand paper.
So it’s clean metal below your connector.

 

[ranagazoo]

That will be fine but I would scrape the black paint off around the hole with a bit rough sand paper.
So it’s clean metal below your connector.

Ok, I will do that tomorrow morning, thank you