Hey Larry, Bill, Beckett etc. I've done some digging into connecting 2nd-battery relays, possibly at the alternator's "output". If you look at the alternators and their electrical wiring diagrams closely, there are TWO alternator outputs, marked B+ and D+ on wiring diagrams. The main output B+ is directly wired to the battery positive, starter, etc, as pointed out by Larry. No battery current flows back into the alternator because it has rectifying diodes inside. Their main purpose is changing the alternator's generated AC power into pulsating DC power, similar to what commutators and carbon brushes did for generators in pre-alternator times. The auxiliary D+ output serves to drive the alternator lamp and to drive the Westy's auxiliary battery relay. A-HA! This is clearly shown in my Bentley book in the camper wiring section. Hope this removes some of the mystery, for all of us. Stanley |
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