Date:         Wed, 21 Feb 2007 09:09:28 -0800
Reply-To:     Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Aux battery tyro
In-Reply-To:  <003301c755d1$51f2a210$1b0ced48@windows0545857>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Ron,


I have done several dual battery systems for hire
and the set-up of choice is a optima yellow or
blue-top for auxilliary with a 4-way marine type
high-amperage switch.

I was heavily influence by a very readable book
called " Living on 12 Volts with ample power".

The author reccommends the high-amperage switch
over the isolator, claiming the isolator lowers
the charging voltage by amost 1 Volt.

Using a switch offers more options. You can
charge both batteries in tandem, or each
individually.
The swich also allows you to switch off all power
to your car when performing work, or during
storage, etc.

The ideal location for aux battery and swich is
under the rear seat, or in the cubby -hole small
cabinet next to the fridge. This cabinet has a
partition that can be removed permanently to make
room for the battery, thereby maintaining the
original .
space.
In the ten years In have had dual batteries and
boat switch, I have never needed a jump.

Using heavy guage battery cables for both
batteries allows teaming up both batteries when
needed for extra cranking amperage.

Both batteries receive equal charging so long as
they are similiar is age and amp rating.

The isolator offers convenience, but there is no
need to be contantly switcing from one to tow and
both.
I leave it on both , except when camping for a
few days in one place. then I switch to aux.

An optima blue -top marine deep cycle and
starting battery is ideal. It is designed to be
drawn down more nthan a standard cranking battery
yet deliver the amps for hard cranking if needed.


Robert

1982 Westfalia















--- Ron Komoroski <motresyklman@LYNCHBURG.NET>
wrote:

> Vanagonites,
> I've been following the threads re the auxilary
> battery installation in a
> Vanagon. Bits & pieces of important & usefull
> sounding info have shown up
> scattered throughout. Before I reinvent the
> wheel trying to distill all this
> down, has anyone done it already?
> I have an '87 Vanagon GL Westy that has never
> had an auxillary battery, I'd
> like to install one. Questions:
> What is the best type of battery?
> What size?
> What type of hold-down system?
> Is a kit available from one of the aftermarket
> suppliers?
> The Sure Power 1315 seems to be the hot set-up,
> does it come w/ complete
> directions?
> Is it necessary to install a secondary wiring
> harness to feed accessories
> from the aux battery?
> If so, is a schematic available?
> Are relays necessary to hook up things like the
> radio that will be run while
> driving (off the main battery) & camping (off
> the aux batttery)?
> If the aux battery primer I'm looking for is
> somewhere in the archives, I'd
> apprecciate being pointed in the right
> direction.
> TIA,
> Ron Komoroski
>




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