Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 14:59:10 -0600
Reply-To: jimt <wetwesty@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: jimt <wetwesty@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject: Re: Dual Battery Installation Instructions on Ebay
In-Reply-To: <004301c4b615$4a0f1f50$2fd23b45@Dell>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
On 10/19/04 1:52 PM, "Larry Occhipinti, DVM" <guardmans@PEAK.ORG> wrote:
> Anybody have experience installing the dual battery relay, inverter, microwave
> set-up instructions currently being offered on ebay?
>
> Randy says it's an easy thing to do, and his instructions are better than the
> Go Westy Kit....sounds like if indeed it can be done without hassle the second
> battery could be used for lots of various electrical accessories without
> draining the main battery while camping.
>
> Also, will the small second battery be able to retain enough power to run the
> accessories for an overnight stint?
> If the main battery should give out is there enough juice to start the van
> with the second smaller battery?
> And if the second battery is used for several hours, how long of a ride will
> be needed to recharge it for use the following night?
>
> Just curious if the dual battery thing is really worth the effort, and how
> much of an ordeal it is to install...what kinds of things have you been happy
> using off the second battery?
>
> Thanks for sharing your experiences....
>
> Larry Occhipinti
> '86 Westy
>
>
I have a aux battery (group size 27) deep cycle installed with a relay
commonly used in RV setups. This relay would not be needed for 99 percent
of installations and a simple standard 30 amp relay would work fine.
The relay is in the circuit for charging while engine is running.
With the particular battery I am using (rated 109 amp hours) I run my
interior lights and battery chargers for my battery powered stuff and my
laptop for several days. Now if you were thinking a microwave that would be
extremely marginal for use.
Avg small microwave (tiny ones) is about 900 watts at the cord to give about
700 watts of cooking power. You would need a 1100 watt or higher inverter
and the battery and wiring would have to handle a 85 amp draw. A 3 minute
cook time would cause a max load at the inverter but only take about 5 or 6
amp hours off of the battery. However this is also right at the max draw
that you should submit a single deep cycle battery to. A second deep cycle
in parallel would be recommended for that kind of draw.
That heavy oversized relay I use is also my trigger to jump my main from the
aux if ever needed.
A single jumper cable able to reach from the positive of one battery to the
positive of the other battery would also provide jumping. You are already
grounded to the vehicle at both batteries and hopefully have use the
appropriate grounding strap to ground the aux.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
jimt
Planned insanity is best.
Remember that sanity is optional.
http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info)
http://www.westydriver.com
