Date:         Fri, 16 Jun 2000 02:02:10 EDT
Reply-To:     FrankGRUN@aol.com
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Frank Grunthaner <FrankGRUN@aol.com>
Subject:      Re: Dual Batt.'s/The final word  - plus a few!
Comments: To: THX0980@aol.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

I am also distressed by some of the opinions expressed and the confusion
inferred by others, but I'm sure all are sincerely rendered. I must offer a
caution to those of you who feel the need, or plan to install 2 to 10 gauge
wire to support an auxiliary battery.

PLEASE be careful. Take proper precautions in grommeting cable pass-thru's
going through metal surfaces, walls, etc. Leave cable slack to minimize
stress on the cable insulation. Choose a cable with insulation rated for
automotive use (underhood and engine compartment temperatures can make home
wire grade insulation - particularly audio - soften and flow). Inadvertent
solvent exposure - gasoline, oil, brake fluid - can weaken the insulation
leading to cracks and exposed wire. Always use soldered connections for
terminals connected to heavy wire. Insulate your final exposed connections
with Liquid Electrical Tape.

With heavier gauge wire you risk far higher surge current delivery with
attendant fire damage. Some non-UL rated wire on the market can generate
toxic vapors when the wire gets sufficiently hot to liquefy the insulation
and burn the plastics.

I don't want to overdo this. Reasonable care is all that is needed. Just
understand that handling 24 to 16 gauge wire is very different from 2-12.

Two final comments:

1) I am sure that the Hella kit is a sound investment. Intelligent purchases
can always lower the price of a component with the additional expense of
time. The instructions are worth a relay or two. The instructions on the list
and vanagon.com are also worth far more than your investment in them.

2) In the wiring system for my Westphalia, my schematics indicate that I have
more than 32 Bosch 30 amp relays, many 60 amp and 2-100 amp units. I have
been accused by she-who-must-be-obeyed of balancing the driver's side tilt
with copper ballast. While this is far from correct I do have several strands
(more than 3, less than 5) of 2 gauge copper wire running from the tail to
the dash!

Couldn't resist (so to speak),

Frank Grunthaner