Date:         Mon, 21 May 2007 13:44:26 -0400
Reply-To:     Jake Beaulieu <jbeaulie@ND.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jake Beaulieu <jbeaulie@ND.EDU>
Subject:      Re: GoWesty aux battery kit?? Bentley manual VS. blue factory
              repair manual??

On Fri, 18 May 2007 18:37:16 -0400, Troy Delnicki <colorworks@GCI.NET>
wrote:
Further, the kit uses 10 gauge
>wire, which technically can only handle 30 amps, not 50. It would take
>eight gauge wire for the full 50 amps.

I used a wire gauge table I found on-line, similar to the one at
http://www.rbeelectronics.com/wtable.htm.  These tables state that 10
gauge wire can hadle up to 50 amps if the wire length is less than or
equal to 20 ft.  This is certainly the case for wiring up an aux battery.

"Interesting. I purchased the Go Westy kit, and found the instructions to
be invaluable, specifically with reference to cutting the wire at the back
of the fuse panel. Their instructions were right on the money, but then
again I have an 89."

I am not a big fan of making modifications to the electrical system that
are not VERY easy to undo.  As a result, I avoided all Go Westy's
reccomendations that involved cutting and splicing of the original wire
harness.  I also felt that it was better to run a wire directly from the
starter battery to the aux battery via the solenoid rather than pick up
the charging current from the fuse panel per Go Westy's instructions.  The
instructions also incorrectly cited which fuse provided power to some
component.  I can't remember what it was now, lights, cigarrette lighter,
something...  I am glad to hear that the instructions were accurate for
the 89 model.

Jake