Date:         Tue, 9 Sep 2003 13:59:48 -0400
Reply-To:     vw4x4@FYI.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Zeno <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Subject:      Re: Auxiliary Battery Issue
Comments: To: Josh Greenberg <josh@JOSHGREENBERG.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

The voltage a battery puts out is dependent on the load.  Your use of a
voltmeter
will never work in this situation, given the load will vary from time to
time.
                                                             Eric

Josh Greenberg wrote:

>Volks,
>
>About six months ago, I installed an auxiliary battery into my Westy.  Since the rely was already present it was a relatively painless job and the installation went smoothly.  I didn't have the money to purchase a deep cycle Optima battery and decided to use a standard Diehard instead.  Since installation, I've worn down and recharged the Diehard numerous times.  I understand that regular automotive batteries aren't meant for that type of use.  I also directly wired in a voltage meter so I can monitor the amount of juice left in my auxiliary battery.  All that being said, here is a description of the issue I am experiencing.
>
>When I power up the engine the voltage meter DOES read higher.  However, now it only reads marginally higher.  For example, the voltage meter might go from 12.8 to 13.0.  It used to read significantly higher, say from 12.8 to 13.5.  At first, I thought the rely might be fried.  Yet, it does seems as though the rely is working.  I checked all of the wiring and it does look intact.  Another piece of information that my help is right around the time all this began, I had entered my Westy to find that my auxiliary battery had been completely drained.  I assumed I left the stereo on accidentally, which is also directly wired to the auxiliary battery, and I recharged the battery using an AC battery charging system.
>
>Could my alternator be going bad and not outputting enough juice?  Has my auxiliary battery been effected by the constant charging and fully draining process.  Could the rely be fried?  Or, does this behavior sound perfectly normal?
>
>Thanks In Advance,
>Josh
>
>
>
>