Date:         Sat, 28 Apr 2007 19:15:54 -0800
Reply-To:     Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Battery dead AGAIN!!!!
In-Reply-To:  <051D7D92-2144-4BDF-A6C4-31B34D1C31FA@mac.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Patti,

6 amps is a safe charge rate for a Vanagon starting battery, the one under the
passenger seat.  If the auxiliary battery is roughly the same physical size,
then 6 amps should be ok for it also.  Keep the windows open or cracked a bit
during charging.

I haven't been following the thread closely but I think Dennis did warn you
that deep discharging of starting type batteries will eventually damage them.
Consider disconnecting the negative terminal (black or smaller of the two) of
each battery when you aren't using the vehicle and until you get to the bottom
of the problem.  (Disconnecting either terminal will work but there's less
chance of an accidental short with a wrench with the negative terminal.)

If you aren't comfortable working around batteries, try to get someone to help
until you are.  Or just be very careful with wrenches & stuff.  Shorting a
battery with a wrench is not a pleasant experience - at best.  Feel free to ask
more questions.  There is nothing about Vanagon electrics that can't be
answered by the experts on this list.

//Jack


Date sent:              Sat, 28 Apr 2007 21:09:15 -0400
From:                   Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:                Re: Battery dead AGAIN!!!!
To:                     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Send reply to:          Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>

> If "excessive" current is applied to a lead acid battery, the
> electrolyte (sulfuric acid) will bubble. What's actually occurring is
> that the extra electricity is splitting the water portion of the acid
> into hydrogen and oxygen. Since most batteries are "sealed" it isn't
> easy to add water back to replace that which has been split (and the
> vapor vented.) Hence, you can consider this "harmful" to the battery.
>
> If enough of the water is converted to vapor (and hence lost) the
> lead plates are exposed. Lead can oxidize pretty easily, and lead
> oxide can act as an insulator, reducing the capacity and
> effectiveness of the battery.
>
>
> On Apr 28, 2007, at 7:07 PM, PB wrote:
>
> > Matt,
> > Thanks very much for instructions that even I can understand!  I'm
> > charging
> > the battery on 2 amps now and will let you know how the test goes.
> > (I'm
> > using 2 amps because somehow I think that 6 amps would be harmful.
> > Is that
> > right, or can I use 6 amps?)
> > Patti