Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:19:06 -0700
Reply-To: jon <jon@KENNEKE.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: jon <jon@KENNEKE.COM>
Subject: Re: was: Overhead Westy light - aux battery wiring
In-Reply-To: <44A43FA1.7000202@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Agreed, 12 volts is nowhere near enough to keep AGM (or otherwise) happy.
Looks like running larger guage wire is the only solution. The wiring on
our van is a bit different, since it's a diesel. Starting battery is in
the rear, on the right. So, both seat wells are open for aux batteries and
storge.
Not to change the subject, but those DuraFlame logs (we call them "cheater
logs") fit perfectly in the passenger seat well. Aux battery will go
behind the drivers seat, as usual.
Jon
On Thu, 29 Jun 2006, mark drillock wrote:
> Maybe, but a simple check is to measure the voltage at the fridge relay,
> engine running, fridge running on 12 volt setting. The typical Vanagon
> alternator gets about 13.5 - 14.0 volts to the battery. The voltage at
> the fridge relay may be down by a volt or two from this main battery
> voltage and this is just not enough to really charge the aux battery.
>
> Mark
>
>
> jon wrote:
>
> >And, in my case, the voltage drop problem might actually be a benefit.
> >Many AGM batteries only like to be charged to 13.7 Volts (the
> >charging system is set to 14.5(ish) volts).
> >
> >Of course, installing a thicker wire is a good idea. In that case, a
> >large diode could be used to drop the 14.5 to the 13.7 that many AGMs
> >like. The standard .7 Volt drop of a common diode is close enough.
> >
> >Jon
> >82 Diesel Westy
> >
> >On Thu, 29 Jun 2006, mark drillock wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >>This has been talked about for years, many have tried it. The main
> >>weakness is that the long stock wire runs that supply +12 to the relay
> >>reduce the charging voltage enough that the aux battery never fully
> >>charges. This problem is made worse when the fridge is running on 12
> >>volts at the same time you are trying to charge the battery. For those
> >>with the stock battery under the passenger seat, the easy answer for
> >>this weakness is to run a wire from the main battery directly to the
> >>relay, instead of using the original feed wire from the dash to the relay.
> >>
> >>Mark
> >>
> >>jon wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>>Maybe someone already said this, but I was looking in the Bentley at the
> >>>80-85 Westy schematic. Seems an aux. battery could be easily added:
> >>>
> >>>The Refrigerator 12-volt heater relay could be used as the battery
> >>>disconnect (well, if it's big enough). Simply connect the aux bat (through
> >>>a fuse) to terminal 30. Move the connection from terminal 87 to 30 (this
> >>>supplies power to the water pump, LEDs, etc) are you are almost set.
> >>>
> >>>The center light would probably need to be wired into this system, instead
> >>>to the door/courtest light circuit. You'd also want to wire your stereo
> >>>into this circuit.
> >>>
> >>>Hmmm, I've got a nice AGM battery just waiting to be wired in. Hmmm.
> >>>
> >>>Add a trickle charger for winter, and all is set.
> >>>
> >>>Thoughts?
> >>>
> >>>Jon
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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