Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2006 09:12:14 -0700
Reply-To: MissVeeDub <vwdreamer@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: MissVeeDub <vwdreamer@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Aux Battery Blow Up
In-Reply-To: <c8314d400604061720i110b6720pd8896cd5e3c1246c@mail.gmail.com>
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Thank you all for your responses - I appreciate all the feedback and
condolences.
Updates:
Van aired out for about 30-45 minutes and mom removed all of her stuff from
the van (Nick at M&M said that if we didn't remove everything then it would
smell really bad of sulfuric acid and never go away)
We (I) unhooked the battery and removed the battery (used a couple garbage
bags)
Poured a gallon of water (all we had on us) into the compartment
Electrical taped the connectors really good
Covered with baking soda
Disposed of it at Les Schwab (I cant believe they took it as it was in about
20 pieces)
Took the van to the pressure washer - I washed under the van really good
then had mom pour another gallon into the inside, washed again thoroughly
let it dry a little then LOTS more baking soda - still some fizzle
especially on the battery cover
At that point - we took it over to M&Ms and he took a look at the regular
battery - 14.5volts
He wasn't sure at that point, as that was close to normal - then i had
mentioned that this is an ASI camper - and mine has an isolator, and thought
moms had one too - he didn't think so until we went and opened the engine
hatch.
We tested the isolator - and for some reason the Aux battery had been
getting 18volts!!! And the normal battery was getting 15 - but only 14.5 at
the battery.
But he noticed there was a strange regulator that he was not familiar with
on the alternator
He mentioned that he has not had a lot of good experience with isolators,
and would start at the regulator, maybe an alternator, then remove the
isolator if it wasn't just the regulator.
Anyways - so this obviously happened all of a sudden, something went, and
then was overcharging the battery. Has anyone had this kind of experience
with the electrical systems?
I have never had any problems with my isolator....
we did see that the wires that went from the isolator to the regulator had
been spliced, and i was almost wondering that when the engine was rebuilt
that they put in the wrong regulator, and eventually just failed?
BTW there were no fuses in the battery compartment, the wires looked to be
in good condition (however, when i couldn't get that positive cable off I
ended up fraying one of the wires (was trying to be careful not to get it
anywhere, yes i was wearing rubber gloves, and coveralls, and just regular
glasses though..)
Thanks again - I love the vw community :) and the list helpfullness
--
Heather Woltz
'71 VW Bus: Riviera Camper - BusZilla: 2007cc Built by Me
'71 Datsun 510 Wagon: Custom w/Ford 2.6
'81 Yamaha XS400 Special II
http://vw.blue-skywebdesign.com/
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"Well-behaved women seldom make history." - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
