Date:         Mon, 18 Jul 2005 22:31:12 -0700
Reply-To:     Keith Ovregaard <kovregaard@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Keith Ovregaard <kovregaard@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: More AC woes...
In-Reply-To:  <42DC2FD4.5060906@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

I think you are right about that. It must be the typical voltage for
vanagons because my 90 Syncro also is putting out 13.8V at the alt.
under load. I'll have to check the neg terminal vs chassis gnd to see
if there is a difference there, too. Not too happy to hear about the
undersized wiring to the alt., but the batteries have always charged up
OK until the AC was used. The 2 deep cycle batteries are both wired to
a marine battery switch (A/B or A&B) using #6 wire, I believe (same
size as the original battery cables). Usually I have them running
tandem so that both are charged/discharged equally, except when I am
camping, then I choose one battery (either left or right, does not
matter). Has been working great for 10 years. I keep an onboard trickle
charger plugged in most of the time and the solar takes over when I am
camping. Batteries have usually lasted 4-5 years and one is at or near
that limit. Probable sucking energy from the other battery. I should
probably switch to one or the other (instead of both) to see if they
are performing equally. If one battery is failing, it makes sense what
happened.

Keith




On Jul 18, 2005, at 3:40 PM, mark drillock wrote:

> Yes, that is a normal voltage for a Vanagon alternator and yes other
> brand vehicles often are higher. The real question is what voltage is
> the battery or batteries seeing under load? Measure with the probes
> touching right into the center of the battery posts. Then move the neg
> probe to chassis ground to see if the voltage stays the same or
> increases to indicate a weak battery ground connection. The charging
> current uses the ground as well as the plus. If you have the stock 84
> charging wires they may be degraded. I have seen a lot of these with
> signs of melting or burning. VW changed to a beefer wiring scheme for
> the same size alternator in later years to correct this problem. In
> 86+ models they ran a separate large wire from the alternator straight
> to the AC unit so the heavy current needed by the AC would not have
> much impact on the rest of the vehicle. If they did not do that in 84
> you might consider doing that also.
>
> I don't know how you have your deep cycle batteries wired in but you
> should really run a separate #8 wire directly from the alternator
> output stud to the aux batteries if you want full charging. Proper
> size relay and fuses of course should be used.
>
> Mark
>
>
> Keith Ovregaard wrote:
>
>> ...... Sounds like the regulator is not putting out
>> enough juice, so I checked it and got only 13.7V under load
>> (headlights
>> on) and the readout on the charger indicated "0" for alternator
>> output.
>> The voltage from the alt. has always been kind of low compared to my
>> Subaru (14.1V) and I have heard of other Vanagon owners that they have
>> also noticed low voltage.
>>
>> Anybody got a modification fix or any ideas? Is this a "normal"
>> voltage
>> for Vanagon alternators?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Keith Ovregaard
>> 84 Westy "Brownie" Solar Charged Camper
>> 90 Westy Syncro
>>
>