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Date:         Mon, 19 Feb 2007 14:34:31 -0500
Reply-To:     Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: was fav 12 V acc, now 2nd battery relay system
Comments: To: Troy Delnicki <colorworks@GCI.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2007021913234829@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Troy,

I may be missing something here, but I don't understand why what you say about the bad battery damaging the good battery in a relay system would be correct.

The relay switch connecting the two batteries is not closed except when the engine is running and the alternator is therefore putting out current. OK, maybe not for a few seconds after start until the rpm's are up enough to put out the alternator light, but after this.

If the alternator is pumping 13.5 volts or more (actually anything above 12V I think) into both batteries, as will be happening when the relay switch is closed, how will the weaker battery being drawing from the stronger battery. Would it not both be getting current from the alternator instead? Unless it is the alternator that is the defective part of the charging system, the alternator is always going to be the source of the current a battery draws as its voltage is higher than that of the other battery.

And if the weak battery won't take a charge from the alternator, how would it be drawing off the stronger battery anyway?

Sam

-- Sam Walters

Baltimore, MD


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