Ladies & Gents: I feel compelled to warn everyone about my recent disaster (this morning). Many of us have spent a great deal of time discussing the various methods and techniques to upgrade our lighting systems; most recently the SA double-light systems using H4 bulbs. Those of us involved in the discussion talked a lot about the modifications made between the battery and the lights, including relays, fuses, wire gauge, etc. Unfortunately, I (and others, I fear) overlooked the wiring between the alternator and the battery. Well, today I found out how disastrous this oversight can be. I have run my 80w/100w lights for months with no problems, including running them along with the main heater, horn, windshield wipers, and 150w subwoofer amp. This morning, however, I was in a situation that called for using the rear (auxilliary) heater. This combined with the front heater and the side mirror defrosters appears to have exceeded the capacity of the stock wiring. To make a long story short, my engine wiring harness is cooked, and it took with it several cooling system lines, other electrical wires, and a couple of vacuum hoses. Thank God no fuel injection lines were burned. For the gory details, see http://members.cox.net/bpchristensen/Vanagon/Fried_Wire/Index.htm
Brent Christensen '89 GL Syncro Westy Santa Barbara, CA |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.