Date:         Mon, 23 Dec 2002 22:18:55 -0800
Reply-To:     Brent Christensen <sbsyncro@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Brent Christensen <sbsyncro@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      WARNING: Lighting upgrade hazard
Comments: To: sagp2002@yahoogroups.com, Syncro@yahoogroups.com,
          syncrolist@yahoogroups.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

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