Date:         Fri, 12 Nov 2004 10:44:52 -0500
Reply-To:     Brian Wasson <BWasson@MAIL.ACPONLINE.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Brian Wasson <BWasson@MAIL.ACPONLINE.ORG>
Subject:      Cabin lights, aux battery, venting?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Hello all,

I installed an auxilliary battery in my 88 Westy this weekend following the directions on the vanagon.com site. However, according to the directions, the cabin light (the one over the stove) would also be wired to the aux battery when the wires that were previously on the relay were attached directly to the battery. I noticed when I had the two red wires from the relay disconnected that the cabin light still worked. It would seem that if one of the red wires supplies power to the cabin light, and if it was unhooked from the relay and not otherwise provided with power, then the light would not work.

Must I rewire the cabin light somehow to the aux battery? I'd really like the cabin light to run off the aux battery, as I'll probably use that more than the frig on 12v power. I'll probably also rewire the dash stereo and cig lighter socket to the aux battery at some point.

On a related note, I'm currently using a regular (non deep cycle) battery mounted under the driver's seat as the aux battery. I had thought, though, about using the space in the cabinet next to the frig (just behind the driver's seat) to house a larger-sized deep cycle battery. Is there any problem doing this relating to battery gasses or the like? If so, perhaps a few carefully drilled holes in the side of the cabinet facing front would provide adequate ventilation? I'd actually like to open up the spare battery compartment for use as a "secret compartment" (well, for non-Vanagon owners!) for hiding valuables when parked.

Thanks for any thoughts...

Brian