Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 16:05:58 -0700
Reply-To: harald_nancy <harald_nancy@earthlink.net>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: harald_nancy <harald_nancy@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: Becketts Tome on Dual Batt.s,Relays,Saftey,and charging (Very
Long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Dan
1) I would start by making sure that the alternator on the '82 vang.
is in good shape. Take it out and find an automotive electrical shop
that rebuilds Bosch alternators, starters etc. Pay them a small fee
to have the alternator tested. The alternator should always be
in top condition (especially the smaller 65amp alt. on the '82)
to work properly with the isolator. If it has more than a 110 thou.
miles on it, have the shop install new bearings and consider a
new regulator, to make sure you get the highest voltage possible.
The alt. has to work harder with the isolator.
I had much better successs rebuilding my orig. alternators than
buying rebuilt ones. I put new brushes and bearings in mine every
110 thou.miles.
I don't know what brand isolator you are using.
It could be a Sure Power 702R up to 70 amp, or
952R up to 95 amp or 1202R up to 120 amp.
The R stands for Remote regulator sensing. This terminal is
supposed to be connected to the regulator in the following
manner: (if that is what you got)
2) Alternator does not need to be removed. Just unscrew the
regulator ( that black thing with the little round disc) and
take it out. ( be careful with the brushes)
Bend over the metal tab that contacts
inside the alt. ( bend it all the way up)
and solder a # 14 wire to it.
Push the contact prong inside the alt. a bit more in, to
make sure it won't make contact. Reinstall regulator.
That wire goes to the R terminal on the isolator.
Now the alternator can compensate for the 0.8 volt
voltage drop across the diodes.
3) How old is the isolator? I don't know if the diodes
in the isolators become less efficient with age,
but they can burn out. Just like everything else.
If the isolator is 18 years old, I would replace it or
at least, test it. They are not that expensive.
The 952R I think is $ 40 to 50. Good for the
65 amp alternator. If you have the 90 amp alt.
use the 1202R for longevity.
If an isolator fails, (burns out) it can connect both
batteries, and charging efficiency will be reduced,
and also both batteries will be discharged when
using camping appliances (12 volt).
4) The batteries could also be less efficient from
age or use.
or it can be a combination of all of the above.
Harald
90 westy
---------
> From: Daniel Schmitz <djs@gene.com>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Becketts Tome on Dual Batt.s,Relays,Saftey,and charging
(Very Long)
> Date: Sunday, June 18, 2000 11:52 PM
>
> Related to this thread, I have an isolator on my '82 Adventurewagen. It
used to
> work well, but I noticed that in the last several years, the voltage drop
across
> the alternator terminal and either of the charging terminals is such that
my
> batteries aren't always getting enough voltage to charge properly.
>
> Couple with this, I never did use that 4th, smaller terminal on the
isolator. Is
> that the alternator sensing terminal, and if so, what should it be wired
to?
>
> Currently I'm bypassing the isolator so my battery always gets a good
charge.
>
> ...Dan
>
> Beckett Cantrell wrote:
>
> > Harald, please forgive me if I seemed to insinuate that batt. isolators
were
> > no good. Some work wonderfully, the key being the remote sensing
terminal you
> > mentioned. I aimed the previous posts at relay switched dual batt.
charging
> > systems as they are much more common and inexpensive than the isolator
> > methoud.
> > Good luck,
> > Beckett
----------
> From: Daniel Schmitz <djs@gene.com>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Becketts Tome on Dual Batt.s,Relays,Saftey,and charging
(Very Long)
> Date: Sunday, June 18, 2000 11:52 PM
>
> Related to this thread, I have an isolator on my '82 Adventurewagen. It
used to
> work well, but I noticed that in the last several years, the voltage drop
across
> the alternator terminal and either of the charging terminals is such that
my
> batteries aren't always getting enough voltage to charge properly.
>
> Couple with this, I never did use that 4th, smaller terminal on the
isolator. Is
> that the alternator sensing terminal, and if so, what should it be wired
to?
>
> Currently I'm bypassing the isolator so my battery always gets a good
charge.
>
> ...Dan
>
> Beckett Cantrell wrote:
>
> > Harald, please forgive me if I seemed to insinuate that batt. isolators
were
> > no good. Some work wonderfully, the key being the remote sensing
terminal you
> > mentioned. I aimed the previous posts at relay switched dual batt.
charging
> > systems as they are much more common and inexpensive than the isolator
> > methoud.
> > Good luck,
> > Beckett
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