Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 10:57:14 -0500
Reply-To: Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Subject: Re: Aux. Battery/Non-Westy
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This is what I have done to my '85 Westy. It solved several problems for
my vehicle and made it more useable as a camper. First of all, I am not a
heavy-duty camper--mostly long weekends at this point, whenever I can get
away with one or more of my kids. I do not use a lot of 12V appliances. I
installed a second Group 41 battery under the rear seat. I put the
battery in a plastic battery box to the left of the rear seat heater. From
here, it is probably 2 feet to the starter. I ran heavy-duty cables (2
AWG, if I remember correctly) directly to the starter (both positive and
negative). This gives me better cranking voltage. I put a release type
clamp on the negative battery terminal. When I get to camp, I just unhook
the cable and I know this battery is absolutely isolated and waiting fully
charged for the trip home. I can run my stereo, lights, sink, etc. off of
the original battery. If you run a lot of stuff, where you would really
run this battery down, it might be a problem. An Optima deep-cycle would
be better. I have not had a problem yet.
What I really like is access to the battery (for jumping, or whatever)
without un-screwing the Westy's stock cover and turning the seat. Flip up
the back seat and there it is. The stock battery is still connected, so
you are using two batteries except when camping. None of the stock wiring
is butchered. You also have to remember to disconnect both batteries when
doing electrical work! You do lose some valuable storage space under the
seat, but the Westy has enough other spaces I haven't used yet.
Total cost is low. I picked up the cables (AC-Delco?), release clamp and
the battery box at Pep Boys. The two new Interstate batteries were the
biggest expense.
I don't know what kind of rear seat your syncro has, but this location
works well for me.
Jay
Randy Charrette <rcharrette@HOTMAIL.COM>@gerry.vanagon.com> on 11/13/2001
10:15:51 PM
Please respond to Randy Charrette <rcharrette@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sent by: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
cc:
Subject: Aux. Battery/Non-Westy
In My never ending quest to make my Syncro more comfortable for our camping
trips, I have decided it is time for an aux. battery. I have read all the
archive postings(I think?) on this and they all refer to Westys which have
a relay and wireing in place already. Can anyone direct me on setting up a
system for a non-Westy. I have looked into Sure-Power isolators, but they
are big $$$. I plan to use an Optima deep cycle battery. Any help is
appreciated.
Randy Charrette
87' Syncro
Longmont, CO
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