Date:         Tue, 13 Mar 2007 21:28:49 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
Comments:     RFC822 error: <W> MESSAGE-ID field duplicated. Last occurrence
              was retained.
From:         Dennis <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: One or two?  Alternator question
Comments: To: Zoltan <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <002801c76026$5d98fec0$2f01a8c0@FirstLaptop>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Zoltan,
Ancient history here but here is your answer. Most Vanagons have the one
suppressor, connected to that terminal that is really on the output. Westy
campers have the refrigerator control relay tied to the alternator warning
light one side with the ground being completed through the solenoid coil.
The campers should have the second suppressor connected to the warning
light circuit. This is to absorb the surge from the starter solenoid when
you release the key. Why is it wired this way? I guess two reasons. One,
the connection to the solenoid disables the relay while the engine is
cranking. Two. The warning light circuit is actually an excitation circuit
for the alternator. The light also acts to limit the current from the
alternator back feeding the ignition system and preventing the engine from
being turned off. The relay loads this circuit down which will make the
alternator difficult to get started. Folks that have replaced the relay
with a larger one or connected directly to the chassis know this as having
to rev up the engine to get the alternator to "kick" in or turn off the
light. By having that ground through the solenoid, the relay will not draw
any current from the light circuit while cranking and as the engine starts
the alternator will kick in almost instantly, just like a non camper. Hope
this makes sense.

Dennis


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Zoltan
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2007 2:34 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: One or two? Alternator question

Hi guys,
I have an alternator here and on the back of it I have two of those
rectangular little goodies.  I guess, they are condensers, 2.2nF 100Volts,
is written on their back.
But I also have other alternators that only have one of these.
Now, I don't know how many to have on them or is there some importance of
having two instead of one.
Thanks for the List.
Zoltan