Date:         Mon, 10 Mar 2003 18:14:23 -0600
Reply-To:     Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Power plans and questions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I can't conceive of anything on a Vanagon that might require 12.5 amps
but I offer this.
A 36Volt Golf cart used six each 6v deep cycle batteries.
The electric engine requires 36 AMPS and it has a total operating cycle
of 6 hours. Not continuous.
It then requires a 24 hour recharge at 36 Amps.
There are various marine application fuses, reset breakers that you can
use. I've also seen some of the same electrical items at RV stores.
A portable computer should use about 500 watts on 12v (I'm guessing).
If you're running an inverter you'll just have to read the instructions
or contact the manufacturer.
I've learned that being away from, phones, computers, 18 wheelers, fast
drivers improves my life while camping.
Possibly you might be able to live without your computer for a few days.
In a pinch you can go to a small town Library near your camping location
and check your Email.
Hope you get this problem solved ................ boiling battery acid
smells like rotten eggs so be aware of what you're dealing with.

Stan Wilder

On Mon, 10 Mar 2003 18:34:23 -0500 Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
writes:
> Answers Below!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On
> Behalf
> Of Mark Belanger
> Sent: Monday, March 10, 2003 6:04 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Power plans and questions
>
> Dennis Haynes wrote:
> > Is the device a secret? It would easier for us to help if we know
> what
> > it is and how long you need to use it.
>
> No secret.  It's a PC.  I just wanted to avoid the inevitable "why
> not
> just use a laptop" comments that would be launched by the peanut
> gallery.
>
> I would consider the laptop due to space limitations. You would
> probably
> need an inverter anyway. Most are now using 16 volt supplies.
>
> It has a pretty slick DC-DC power supply that's tied to ignition.
> When
> the ignition is off, a configurable delay sends a power-down single
> to
> the motherboard.
>
> Obviously a custom!
>
> > The cab lights and light in the
> > back of the Westy is actually feed from the front fuse box. Fuse
> #3 I
> > think. The two fuses near the sink cabinet are for the
> refrigerator,
> > water pump, and control panel. One is connected to the switched
> side
> of
> > the relay so that it is energized only when the alternator is
> charging.
> > The relay actually uses the idiot light circuit for the
> alternator.
> The
> > ground for the relay is provided through the starter solenoid. I
> guess
> > the plan was to also disable the relay while the engine was
> cranking.
> Of
> > I've never seen the alternator energize while before the engine
> actually
> > started anyway! This provides power for the refrigerator 12v
> heating
> > coil. The other wire is connected directly to the main power feed
> has
> > power all the time. It operates the fridge cooling fan, controls,
> > indicator lamps, and the sink water pump.
>
> Interesting.  I got that incorrect idea from the write-up on
> Vanagon.com.  Very detailed response.  Thank you.
>
> > 12.5 amps is a fairly heavy load. If you want to run the fridge on
> 12
> > volts, you need another 8. 12.5 amps should be feed by 14 gauge
> wire.
>
> Yeah, after I sent the post, I came to the conclusion that I needed
> a
> direct run to the battery.
>
> > With 2-3 weeks run time for the fridge on propane, I see no reason
> the
> > run it on battery when parked anyway. For your 12.5 amp load, you
> will
> > only get a few hours (4-5), on fully charged optima. It takes
> many
> hours
> > of driving the charge a battery so keep in mind how this will be
> used.
>
> Wait.  Can one run the propane fridge while moving?  I was under
> the
> impression that you couldn't.  That's the only reason I'd run it off
> DC
> and just to keep an already chilled fridge cool.
>
> If the Fridge is working properly, it can be used on propane while
> driving except on some bridges and in some tunnels. Of course, be
> sure
> to turn it off while re-fueling or getting propane. It is a flame
> and
> who knows what can happen if the fumes from a spill should reach
> the
> flame chamber. Most RV refrigerators do not even have a 12 volt
> option
> anymore.
>
> Is the stock alternator capable of driving a worst case scenario:
> headlights, radio, interior light, fridge and computer?
>
> The stock 90 amp alternator has plenty of capacity. Unfortunately,
> the
> wiring does not. A larger wire should be run from the alternator to
> the
> fuse box and high power accessories. Some people add additional
> wiring
> to the battery, but the real energy source is the alternator while
> under
> way.
>
> Thanks again for the detailed response,
> -MB
> --
> Your Welcome,
> Dennis
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> Mark Belanger - belanger@fluid.com
>
>

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