> As Mr. Bill points out, though, there is almost always a down side. In > this case, the increased complexity of the control circuitry over a simple > relay or diode isolator means more electronic parts to fail. Maybe; maybe not. They're getting awfully good at making the electronics these days... and these electronics may not be any more complicated that an isolator... time will tell. But surely the most dependable option is the ubiquitous automotive relay. >But the > enhanced performance and elimination of alternator overloading >likely more than compensates for this. Maybe. But I'm not sure I buy the alternator overloading argument... even for large wire 2nd battery set ups. After all, the VW engineers saw fit to equip my van with A/C, headlights, radio, various heating and cooling fans, etc... surely the 90 amp alternator was sized with all these accessories in mind. And that 50 amp fuse on the A/C in particular tells me that if I have a deeply discharged 2nd battery all I have to do is not use the A/C for an hour or two after start up and the alternator should be just fine. :) Bill > > Stanley > |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.