Nordelettronica NE325 dead?

[jamesgl]

We've got a Nordelettronica NE325, which has previously been working.

We noticed recently that we're not getting leisure battery charge when the engine's running. We're getting charge from mains hookup and solar.

Looking at the NE325 when the engine is running, there are no leds showing, and the fan isn't running. I've checked with a multimeter and I'm getting approx 14V input to the unit with the engine running and 12V input with the engine off.

Reading the manual, I can't find the significance of the d+ wire connection - is this significant?

Is the lack of LED and fan and indication that the unit is dead? Any other tests I can do?

James

 

[AdrianChen]

We've got a Nordelettronica NE325, which has previously been working.

We noticed recently that we're not getting leisure battery charge when the engine's running. We're getting charge from mains hookup and solar.

Looking at the NE325 when the engine is running, there are no leds showing, and the fan isn't running. I've checked with a multimeter and I'm getting approx 14V input to the unit with the engine running and 12V input with the engine off.

Reading the manual, I can't find the significance of the d+ wire connection - is this significant?

Is the lack of LED and fan and indication that the unit is dead? Any other tests I can do?

James

The D+ is a signal that the alternator is producing a current, it is a signal used to switch van equipment that can/should be run from the alternator when possible, such as leisure battery charging (in your case the NE325), fridge if it's a 3way type etc.

Your test shows the input connection to the NE325 is OK but apparently the charger is not turning on, or there is a fuse on the output that has blown - given there are no LED's showing then it has not powered up, might be worth checking the DIP switches have not been knocked by something.

The D+ connection should give a similar voltage ie 12-14v engine running (the actual voltage depends on whether it is a true D+, or simulated) and 0v when the engine is off. So I would check you have 12v+ on the D+ when the engine is running. There will be a small fuse somewhere for the D+ signal.

 

[jamesgl]

Really useful, thanks. Thanks also for the manual - I'd already got that, but it doesn't explicitly say what the d+ is for.

You have confirmed my thoughts that the unit might not be turning on - and also my suspicions regarding the d+ line. I'll check the d+ voltage. I assume this is checked with the -ve multimeter probe on the common -ve terminal on the charger.

There's no visible fuse on the output. I know it's recommended to have one - there's none visible, I just hope the installer didn't put it in an inaccessible location! The wire goes behind fixed panelling and reappears near the battery.

 

[AdrianChen]

Yes, I would check the common on the charger, that's supposed to be common to both the start battery, and the leisure.

The NE325 output cable should have the leisure battery voltage on it with the unit switched off - If so any fuse/connections to the battery are fine.

 

[jamesgl]

The output cable has the leisure battery voltage on it (should have thought of this myself) - so yes, no fuse problems there.

However, no voltage on the d+ cable with engine running - so I think the problem is with this connection at the other end.

Looking at a T6 thread (it's a T6 Transporter), the d+ doesn't go to the alternator. It goes to one of:

• 'ignition on' (although that's less than optimal because it would turn the charge on if ignition is on but not engine running)
• The split charge relay

So I need to find the split charge relay! I may call the company who did the conversion/installation to find out what they did and where they connected it!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}