Date:         Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:51:42 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      RE;starter/aux battery choices
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

Wes wrote:
Date:    Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:43:21 -0400
From:    pickle vanagon <greenvanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: My starter battery could use replacing, and I'm thinking its a good
time to
do some rewiring and install an aux battery at the same time.

After looking at the whole optima/deep cycle battery situation, I'm tempted
to just get two of the walmart everstart plus group 41 batteries, and use
the second one as an aux battery (with the hella battery relay setup).  I'd
be interested to hear what people think of this idea.  (Especially if you've
tried it!)

I don't intend to run the fridge off the battery for any significant amount
of time; I want the aux battery for the stereo/cabin lights/etc/ and 12v and
110v outlets (I'm going to install an inverter) to use things like
laptops/music players/fans/etc.

And, just to confirm it... there really aren't any deep cycle group 41
batteries out there, right?

Thanks guys,
Wes

Wes, I have just such a set-up in my Westfakia.  I don't run the fridge on
electric,  but I do listen to the Sirius radio for my news when camping and
I charge my laptop.  I have a couple of 12v lights that I run.
  I wired my extra battery (under the drives seat) with a big honking
mechanical relay, powered off my ignition.  I also stuck in another switch
so I can isolate the extra battery by 'de-activating' the relay.  If the
starter battery should ever get really low, then I can put the full charge
of the alternator right into the starter battery first...then switch the
relay on and let the two batts share the alternator output.  Usually, I just
leave that extra switch on..the relay just isolates the extra coach battery
from the engine system when the ignition is off..so you won't run down the
important battery when the engine is not running but you're using power.
  That kinda battery is not up to running every electrical gizmo for
long..If I run my sounds for more than about 3 hrs..the battery
dies...actually the stereo cuts off..some kinda low voltage safety..Also,
the invertor I have to charge stuff up (laptop, drill batteries, bicycle
computer, cell phones, etc) is a 1500amp one (I think) that has a really
irritating and quite sensitive 'low voltage' alarm on it.  The little
starter battery get low real quick...as they are designed to do, I
guess...But it takes very little time on the battery to set off that dumb
irritating alarm on my invertor...So I can't run my laptop right from the
invertor, but I can re-charge the laptop battery if the motor is on...
  Not the best system, I guess a real deep cycle battery is better..but it
does work ok and I plan on changing my invertor to something less
sensitive...It is nice to have the battery and all the switches and stuff
fit right under the driver seat, though..and I can rotate the
batteries...one as starter for a while then switch em..

  Hope that helps.
  Don Hanson