Date:         Wed, 28 Jun 2006 13:21:57 -0700
Reply-To:     John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Overhead Westy light
In-Reply-To:  <91F4A6E2-21A2-463D-A2C4-B7FA52455F8F@uvic.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

> I've often wondered why more owners don't do as I do with my aux
> battery and that is relay it so it supplies the "entire electrical
> system" (actually supplies just to fuse panel under dash) when the
> ign key is off. Entire that is but for starter motor.
> ...
> The advantage is that one can wire accessories straight into the
> stock electrical system.


I initially considered this approach myself, but I just didn't have enough
faith in the stock electrical system. Instead I have largely routed all
accessory loads (plus headlights) through an aircraft circuit breaker panel
(salvage from a C-141)  installed in the aux battery well under the driver's
seat (my aux battery is under the rear bench). The panel is fed by a 6ga
wire from the aux battery, and most of the small loads are fed by 12 or 14
gauge stranded wire, and four 10ga runs for the individual headlight
circuits. I like being able to manually shut off individual loads by pulling
the breaker, and also not having to struggle with replacing blown fuses
during installation and testing. Reaching behind the seat and pulling the
fuel pump breaker also makes for a somewhat effective anti-theft device.
The one pain is that I spent a LOT of time stringing wires under the van.

(possibly amusing pics for people who like to see wires follow)
<http://blue.foodhammer.net/panel1.jpg>
<http://blue.foodhammer.net/panel2.jpg>


--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"