Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2006 21:13:41 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: '88 Westy: Aux Battery Problem
In-Reply-To: <000b01c6a07d$3d61bed0$6acedb46@XPS>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
If you really got a few years out of an Optima, you did good. It is a
technology that still doesn't work as advertised. I am even considering a
return to flooded batteries for UPS systems at work. The sealed batteries
fail without warning and in a UPS, usually when you need them the most.
One thing to check is the relay. Due to the usually small currents they
pass, they will sometimes oxidize and have a high resistance. With the relay
energized, check the voltage to ground on both sides. It should be equal. It
should also close the voltage at the alternator if the wiring is sufficient.
I have also found some engines have a nasty voltage drop through the case,
etc. Measure from the alternator case to the body or chassis. If you see a
voltage drop, add another ground strap there. I have seen over .5 volt on
some engines. Guess what, this drop is also a problem for the O2 sensor
circuit.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Chris Paquette
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 5:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: '88 Westy: Aux Battery Problem
Like many listees, I have an Optima Yellow Top under the driver's seat to
use as an auxiliary battery. I had my mechanic arrange it so that the
interior lights, stereo, and inverter would draw power from it when the
ignition was off. However, I've never managed to get it to stay charged. The
first Optima Yellow Top I bought died after a couple of years and would not
take a charge. When I was at GoWesty for some other work I had them check
the wiring and they said it looked fine. Nonetheless, the Optima - which I
thought could not be killed - was dead.
It was thought initially that the culprit was a small dash display from my
CD changer - it was an LED readout that said "Stand By" whenever the CD
changer was off, so it was a small but constant drain on the aux battery
system. Recently I got a new stereo and had them remove the CD changer to
eliminate that draw. Then I bought a new Optima and put it in two weeks ago.
When I got in the bus yesterday, I noticed that the interior lights didn't
come on. Bad sign. I have a voltage meter I can check the aux battery with
and it was down to 7 volts. I have no idea what could be drawing any power
from the aux battery now.
Any similar experiences or suggestions? I'm frustrated that I can't get the
system to stay charged. When I take it back to my mechanic this time I'd
like to be armed with some ideas on what the problem might be.
Thanks for any thoughts.
Chris Paquette
'88 Westy, "Rocinante"
Los Angeles
