Date:         Fri, 27 Apr 2001 21:12:38 -0400
Reply-To:     Debbie Walters <debbwa@earthlink.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Debbie Walters <debbwa@earthlink.net>
Subject:      battery/alternator?
In-Reply-To:  <200104271144.tejfh9.k8c.37tiu4s@merlin>
Content-type: multipart/alternative;

Hey guys,

I just got back from my first long trip in my 85 Westy from Orlando to
Chattanooga.  The camping part was fun (but cold!), the driving part wasn't.
I have some questions.  I'm gonna check the archives, but thought I 'd post
here in the meantime, cause my computer takes forever to load the archive
files.  Please respond directly as I'm on digest.

I installed an auxilary battery through the relay in the battery compartment
behind the drivers seat before the trip.  The day after installing it, I
drove for three hours, with a 2 hour "lay over" half way.  After stopping
the car after the entire trip, I could not start it.   No noise at all when
I turned the key.  After trying for awhile, I was able to jump the main
battery from the auxilary battery.  I drove another 10 minutes to my house
and was able to start the car time after time without a problem.

Then on my Tennessee trip, on the way up, I had to get a jump everytime I
stopped to get gas (man, that tank is small!).  When I reached Chattanooga I
stopped, got jumped, drove for five minutes, and then stopped at Auto Zone
to get the battery tested.  The battery had enough voltage and cranking
amps, and started up when I tried.  I disconnected the auxilary battery and
rewired everything back to the original way.

I did not have any problems all week while making short (5 mile) trips, but
had the same problems on the drive home.  Then when I got home, I stopped
the engine and tried to start it again, and it started right up.

Any thoughts?  Also, why are you not supposed to push start these vans?

Thanks,

deb



[text/html]