Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2007 08:18:02 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Battery dead AGAIN!!!!
In-Reply-To: <699b6e3f0704282006o7b81951eka0077a8319f9e20e@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
1.3 amps can be a power door lock issue or an interior light.
Dennis
>From: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
>Reply-To: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Battery dead AGAIN!!!!
>Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2007 20:06:49 -0700
>
>I really appreciate all of your help. I wouldn't know what to do on my
>own. I charged the battery and hooked up the voltmeter. There's a 1.3 A
>draw on the battery. It was too dark to go further and start pulling
>fuses,
>but I'll do that tomorrow.
>
>I guess things like this just happen all of a sudden. As I said, it worked
>perfectly for 10 days, and it came out perfect on a pre-purchase mechanical
>checkup on April 14. About 2 days ago I had turned on the stereo with the
>motor off for about 10 minutes. The dead battery occurred the next day, so
>I would think it has something to do with that. The stereo has a 6 cd
>changer, and a giant amp and woofer that take up the whole underseat
>compartment in the back. I'll be checking into downsizing the sound system
>because I would really like to have some, if not all of my storage space
>back. I don't know how much the stereo is pulling from the battery. I
>guess I'll have to look up the specs. Tomorrow I'll pull the stereo fuse
>first.
>Patti
>***********************
>On 4/28/07, Jack <john.cook58@verizon.net> wrote:
>>
>>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
>>
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