vitara alternator

[plugspanner]

i have a very late model 4u2, (efi 1.6) reg in 2000, does it have a voltage sensing alternator?
i am just fitting the wiring and second battery and the x/eng instruction pdf mentions this.
i have not got an x/eng kit though.
it says to source a non ign live like the radio wire, any advice will be very welcome
thanks in advance
shaun

[Darrell]

http://www.x-eng.co.uk/instructions/new/x-Charge.pdf

Well I read that to be fitted like this

split charge.png (79.5 KiB) Viewed 6660 times

However I don't under stand how it works.
IE: I get the idea the relay is not energized when starting as the linking cables and relay could not handle the starting current (if the main battery was low).
Assuming you connect the winch to the aux battery and winch whilst the engines running (relay energized) , what happens when that battery gets low. What stops it from drawing the full winch current from the main battery. The wiring won't handle this ???
Also there diagram shows sod all fuses which I don't like the idea of.

[plugspanner]

thanks for the info, electrickery is not my strong point.
i have bought an inline fuse as some wiring diagrams show them fitted.
i will keep on aquiring more info
thanks
shaun

[Darrell]

Had another search on the subject and as both batteries are connected together when running they would discharge equally.
IE: if your winch is drawing 300amps and connected to the aux battery - 150amps would come from the aux battery and 150amps through the split charge from the main battery.
I can understand that but would still worry about overloading the split charge relay and wiring.
If/when the aux battery gets old/tired more current would go through the split charge.
I think that diagram would be ok but I would fit at least one large fuse in the link wiring so as not to be able to melt it.

Personally I think split charge diode units are good. OK your using the winch on one battery only, but at least your main battery will still run all the vehicle.

Hell, what do I know, I don't have a winch

Info from x-charge seller

x charge info.jpg (211.33 KiB) Viewed 6640 times

I guess it depends on the rating of the relay you have and cable size used.

[plugspanner]

thanks
the cable is between the batteries is 35mm sq and i have a 200 amp relay
i still do not know if i have a voltage sensing alternator though
also where does the inline fuse go?
is it between the live and relay?
all the wirng is done except the small wire live feed to the relay, just need to connect that and we should be there.
my sons sj twin battery set up was wired up by a local suzuki bod so i just followed his pattern, his sj is a 1.6 carb vit engine, but do not know what alternator he has as yet.
thanks
shaun

[Darrell]

thanks
the cable is between the batteries is 35mm sq and i have a 200 amp relayThat's good, 35mm sq is rated at 240A
I still do not know if i have a voltage sensing alternator though It's got a regulator so connect it to the radio wire as they recommend
also where does the inline fuse go?I would fit a large one on the relay large wire for peace of mind (but they don't show one, so that's your choice)
is it between the live and relay? As the energising feed is the radio wire, it's already fused
all the wirng is done except the small wire live feed to the relay, just need to connect that and we should be there.
my sons sj twin battery set up was wired up by a local suzuki bod so i just followed his pattern, his sj is a 1.6 carb vit engine, but do not know what alternator he has as yet.
thanks
shaun

So the workshop manual shows the radio switched live as "White with black tracer"
So here's another diagram.
This info is from the 1994 print manual as it's the only Vitara one I've managed to get. I hope the radio wire colours haven't changed as yours is a late model.
If they have ,time for a multimeter..

split charge.png (85.94 KiB) Viewed 6624 times

You could wire it straight from the ignition switch as my earlier diagram, but I would also add a inline fuse if you do.
Hope that's it

[plugspanner]

thanks muchly.
looks like i have sunday sorted then!