Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2005 06:27:39 EDT
Reply-To: RAlanen@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Optima Battery safety question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
In a message dated 08/07/2005 12:10:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
Here's what I did on one install:
http://www.californiavan.com/battery/Battery.html
1) Remove the upper turntable if the van has Westy seats then chop
about 1 1/2 inches away from the rear section of the lower turntable
base. (see photo) I used a Dremel cutting wheel to remove the
section.
2) Use the Optima without side terminals, the way nothing can short
to the battery cover tin.
3) Shim the battery compartment with wood blocks to keep the battery
from moving about.
4) Cover the positive terminals with an old rubber inner tube just to
be extra safe.
5) Use a Surepower model 1315 battery separator instead of the wimpy
VW relay. While the Surepower is a tad expensive at $70, it's the
best possible way to hook up two batteries in a Vanagon. Intelligent
charging, automatic separation when engine is off and automatic 2nd
battery starter assist for those times when you left the park lights
on....it's also compatible with Subaru alternators and the VW
alternator idiot light without having to do any extra wiring.
This is pretty much how I do them here except in Westys I keep the Optima
standing up and cut holes in the cover for the terminals to clear. A thin
layer of insulating material on top of the battery will allow the seat to swivel
and not make contact with the positive terminal without any modification to
the seat swivel base. Covered with the carpet that is there the slight rise
in height above the original is not noticeable and causes no inconvenience.
I've done an install in a CARAT and laid the battery on its side as youv'e
explained and that works just fine with no mods needed. The Sure Power 1315 is
certainly the right way to install an Optima Yellow top in a Vanagon. Works
perfectly and that Optima is always charged right up quickly when the engine
is started. A couple of other options I often include when I do these AUX
battery installs: a second 12 volt outlet on the dash connected to both
batteries with a transfer switch with a digital volt meter plug in so one can keep
and eye on the charging of both batteries by a flip of the switch and give a
second 12 volt power outlet when needed and a 300 ~ 400 watt power inverter
hardwired to the AUX battery. This set up will give you all the power options
you'll ever need unless you want the micro wave oven option ;-)
Cheers,
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm) a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
'87 Westy, '90 Carat & Lionel Trains
Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
(http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/) & _CCVWC_
(http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or http://frankcondelli.com
