Date:         Tue, 13 Jun 2000 17:58:40 -0700
Reply-To:     Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject:      Re: '85 Westfalia - 2nd battery ?????
Comments: To: Daniel Schmitz <djs@gene.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> Related to this thread, my '87 Westfalia (full camper) doesn't have the
second
> battery installed, but in the compartment under the driver's seat there is
some
> wiring and a square relay attached to the upper right corner. I don't see
any
> battery cables, however, just the relay and some wiring.
>
> Can anyone confirm that this is the relay for isolating the two batteries?

I can confirm that it is not for isolating two batteries... that is, if it
is the stock relay it is meant to supply power to the fridge which draws
about 7 amps. It was not meant to supply power to an auxiliary battery which
can draw over 50 amps if the battery has been deeply discharged. As far as I
know no Vanagons in the U.S. came from the dealer with an auxiliary battery
set up (and relay rated high enough) except some of the Weekenders.

> so, is the Hella dual battery kit I just ordered going to be redundant?

Actually if it doesn't provide a minimum 40 amp relay and minimum 8 gauge
wire to run to the starter battery, the Hella kit may not even be safe... I
have asked this question of Bus Depot and others and no one that I cam
remember has ever responded.

Bill