Date:         Thu, 7 Dec 2000 11:42:23 -0500
Reply-To:     "1980 VW Westfalia \"Pokey\"" <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "1980 VW Westfalia \"Pokey\"" <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Can you charge a battery that is still in the vehicle?
              (Was:Cold Start problem)
Comments: To: Ed Stevens <ejstevens@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Is there any reason I couldn't use my van's power cord and plug the charger
into the outlet inside?

Thanks,
Chris Gronski
Toronto, Ontario,
'80 Westy "Pokey" - SLOPOKEY
'87 Chevrolet Sprint - Ice Racer
'91 Pontiac Firefly - Convertible
www.vanagon.org & .ca
www.gronski.com, .org, & .ca
www.nineeleven.org & .ca

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed Stevens" <ejstevens@earthlink.net>
To: "1980 VW Westfalia "Pokey"" <pokey@vanagon.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2000 11:39 AM
Subject: Re: Can you charge a battery that is still in the vehicle?
(Was:Cold Start problem)


> on 12/7/00 11:25 AM, 1980 VW Westfalia "Pokey" at pokey@VANAGON.ORG wrote:
>
> > This may be a silly question but I'd like to charge the battery on my
> > external caharger but I'm wondering if I have to pull it out to do so?
Would
> > it be dangerous to leave it in while its charging? Keep in mind it is
pretty
> > damn cold in my carport (-6C)...
> >
>
>
> I have recharged the battery in my 84 westie when it was in and out of the
> garage.  No problems.  BTW I like to route the power cord in through the
> passenger window and not risk getting that cord cut by either the sliding
> door or the passenger door.  Both would be capable of doing some damage to
> the cord.  I leave plenty of slack in the heavy-duty external extension
> cord.  I monitor the gauges on the charger and I do not overcharge the
> battery because that can be dangerous.  I have not charged the battery
> overnight for this very reason.
>
> Others will surely tell me if I have been risking either my van or the
> house.
>
>
> Sincerely,
> Ed Stevens
> Paoli PA
>
>