Date:         Sun, 22 Aug 2004 22:14:40 -0700
Reply-To:     Westyman <syncrowestytd@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Westyman <syncrowestytd@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject:      dual battery isolator
Comments: To: VWVANFULLTIMERS <VWVANFULLTIMERS@yahoogroups.com>,
          Syncro list <syncro@yahoogroups.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hope this doesn't start a whole new argument on the subject, but I seek
input from those who may have done this:

I'm installing a group 29 deep cycle battery as my main camping battery in
my Westy [no, it won't fit under the front seats!] to power my new 12-volt
Norcold DC-0040 fridge. Yes, I finally had enough of dealing with the
unreliability of the old Dometic! What I'm concerned about is the different
charge rate required  between the deep cycle and the main battery. The main
will likely never be drained below 75-percent, but the deep cycle may become
very drained, and often. I currently have a 70-amp relay connected as in the
stock Westfalia method for dual batteries. Will that work 'OK', or do I need
to use some other method or isolator? It seems to me that the alternator
would not charge two batteries of different types and levels of drainage
efficiently. Comments? Thanks.

Karl Mullendore