Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2004 17:14:59 -0700
Reply-To: Fin Beven <FinBeven@MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Fin Beven <FinBeven@MSN.COM>
Subject: Re: Dual-Battery Question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
For years I have linked my two (identical) batteries with a solid run of 4 ga. wire, with crimped-on terminals at both ends. This effectively turns the two batteries into one LARGE battery. What's critically important is to use VERY high quality wire and terminals. If you have access to marine grade (West Marine on the Internet) I think that it's worth the price, as they assume that their equipment will be used in a very harsh electronic environment (salt air).
This is not a recommendation, but no problems have resulted. However, I do have a good quality volt-meter that can be left on when the batteries are being used but the engine charging system is not (as when camped overnight). I'm just cautious not to let the voltage drop below 11.8 in moderate weather.
Fin Beven
'90 Carat, Custom Camper Conversion
Pasadena, CA
----- Original Message -----
From: Joe Federici
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 11:10 AM
Subject: Re: Dual-Battery Question
I wouldn't consider it safe but to each his own. That said if your
going to do it I would use as large around 6 gauge or better and fuse
it for sure it won't take much to over charge the battery and really
BAD stuff can happen one you reach that point.
The isolator or relay setup isn't that had to do maybe you could take
it with you and hook it up on vacation?
JFF
On Jun 7, 2004, at 1:38 PM, Russell, William wrote:
Well, after a weekend of work, I've managed to get my Optima Yellow top
installed and the stereo switched over to it. However, I have not yet
installed a relay or isolator yet. What I would like to do, for this
trip
(I leave tomorrow), is employ a manual system. It would seem to me that
hooking a wire from the + of the starter batter to the + of the Optima
while
the car is running would work. I would like to use something a little
more
graceful than a jumper cable as I will be living in the van for the next
week. If I were to route a wire between the two batter compartments
and use
alligator clips to connect it, would this be safe? What gauge of wire
should I use? Should it be fused?
Any help is much appreciated.
\/\/i!!y
1980 Westfalia "Jazzy"