Date:         Fri, 8 Jul 2005 08:55:43 -0700
Reply-To:     Paul Guzyk <paullist@GUZYK.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Paul Guzyk <paullist@GUZYK.COM>
Subject:      Re: Second battery
In-Reply-To:  <BAY106-DAV52518EF4DD5B13B3478C3C0DB0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>Hi Paul, I installed a second battery last year and did buy a
>separator but installed the battery while on-the-road and just used
>the existing setup in my 87 Westy.  I really like the looks of your
>wiring.  Could you PLEASE give me a little more about the specifics
>for wiring in your seperator and also I notice you have a fuse in
>there.

The Surepower 1315 is quite easy to install.  Basically you can do it
using 3 terminals.  Their instructions are fairly simple.

Connect a positive line from the engine battery to the Main battery
terminal of the separator.  (You can use the existing wire if you
have a Westy)

Connect a positive line from the house (camping) battery to the Aux
Battery terminal of the separator.

Connect a small ground wire from the separator ground terminal to
vehicle ground.

Connect your kitchen and camping equipment (Positive lines) to the
Aux terminal of the separator.  Put an inline fuse close to the
separator to protect all your "downstream" equipment.

That's it.  You're done.

---

You can ignore the westy blue wire from the alternator and the ign.
switched on wire.  Unhook them and tape them up.  The (intelligent)
separator does it's thing without input from the alternator or ign
switch.

If you don't have a Westy and never had a 2nd battery relay, the
Surepower makes it REAL EASY to add a 2nd battery to your Vanagon.

Optional 1) If you use heavy gauge wire from each battery to the
separator you can use the "starter assist" mode to "jump" both
batteries whenever you start the engine.  Handy on cold mornings or
if you leave your lights on etc.  Note: requires a wire from the ign
start switch.

Optional 2) Remap your radio and interior lights circuit (fuse 3?) to
the house battery so they will never deplete your engine battery.

Option 3) Add a 110v to 12v trickle charger to the receptacle under
the sink and connect to the aux battery.  This way, you will keep
BOTH batteries "topped off" whenever you are connected to shore power.

More Surepower info is here:
http://www.surepower.com/pdf/180126A.pdf