Date:         Wed, 7 Aug 2002 02:11:53 +0000
Reply-To:     Randy Charrette <rcharrette@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Randy Charrette <rcharrette@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Optima battery question
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

I have an optima battery (yellow top)set up in my van. It is charging
correctly and every thing seems fine. However after a long drive (6+hours)
with the coleman fridge running and the stereo on, the battery will not run
the refrigerator through the night. It is my understanding that this fridge
draws about 3 amp. The Battery should last over 20 hours with that little of
a draw. The only thing I can think of is that my stereo (300W amp) coupled
with the fridge running is too much for the alternator to keep up with. What
do you guy's think? I may charge the optima over night and just run the
fridge off it in the driveway to see how it goes in the mean time. I don't
think I have any unknown draws off the battery as I have wired the stereo,
the fridge and an Aux light to a seperate fuse block. This is all that is on
that battery. Any thoughts/help appreciated.

Randy Charrette
87' Syncro
220K

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