Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 11:49:27 -0400
Reply-To: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: 2nd Battery Solenoid
In-Reply-To: <IBEMIMEBBBEOIIGIKKAHCEPNFMAA.vanagon@busdepot.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
I just made my own 2nd battery setup while I was on vacation (just got back
a couple of days ago). I went to Wal-Mart and bought some pretty heavy duty
battery terminals and ground straps (the smallest was a number 6 gauge).
Then I bought a 2nd Battery Solenoid from a local RV store for $16 (looks
like a Ford starter solenoid except it is all metal and made to be
constantly on). There is already a hole in the side of the battery box on
both sides that allow you to fish a heavy gauge wire through from one seat
pedestle to the other. I ran my connecting wire under the rug by simply
unscrewing that thin metal trim strip that is between the two seats and that
holds the rug down where the small step is between the front of the van and
the middle. I found a vacant plug on the back of the fuse panel that
connects to the ignition switch and only gets power when the ignition is in
"on" position so I wired this in to make the solenoid come on. So now I
have a two battery system with both in parrallel with each other. When you
turn the ignition off it isolates the 2nd battery. When you turn it on it
kicks in the solenoid and puts the battery in the system for charging and
possible use as a starting battery. It worked well for me. Probably buying
the one that Ron sells would have been easier and cheaper, but I was on
vacation and didn't have anything better to do anyway.
Just FYI.
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
Phone: (856)-327-4936
Fax: (856)-327-2242
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of The Bus Depot
Sent: Friday, July 12, 2002 10:17 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Battery switches
> I am not familiar with the VW setup, but my van uses a battery isolator to
> automatically charge each battery when needed. The isolator acts like a
> diode by preventing current from running back out of the
> batteries into the charging circuit. My suggestion is to get a battery
isolator
> ($30+).
The original VW/Westfalia design uses a relay instead of an isolator. When
the key is off, only the aux battery is connected, so the starting battery
cannot be drained. When you turn the key both batteries are connected, so
that they can both be charged. We sell a dual battery kit by Hella which is
basically the same as the original VW relay setup. This works with any
Vanagon. Our part number 1738. Price is $18.95.
- Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot, Inc.
(215) 234-VWVW
www.busdepot.com
_____________________________________________
Toll-Free for Orders by Part # 1-866-BUS-DEPOT
