Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 17:46:13 -0700
Reply-To: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Cross Country trip- SUCCESS!
In-Reply-To: <c4e7c5f90906041111j13351b41md5ddd2280acf7c8c@mail.gmail.com>
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The problem I developed with my aux battery cirucit is quite an odd one. I
had it setup the way the stock westy was, with a relay triggered by a field
wire (in my case the defroster switch). It worked.
Once i upgraded my batteries to Karl Mullendore's UB1200 4 deep cycle
batteries however, things went crazy.
I had a fuse inline between my relay and my starting battery, and a seperate
fuse inline between my aux battery and the loads on it. The load fuse did
not blow. However, the fuse combining the two batteries did, as I let the
aux battery get low enough that when the charge power was added it worked as
a dead short (I could start the car and the 30A fuse wouldnt blow, but as
soon as i reved the engine it would blow). As a result of not catching this
for 2000 miles or so, during which I had been running the Dometic fridge on
12V, the Aux batteries fell to a level where the amber light on the
westfalia panel started to flicker on the red one! It was at this point that
I pulled the whole system in feer of damaging the batteries.
Since my fridge is out of an '80, it has its own "field wire" circuit to its
own relay. Since the field wire was still getting current from my defroster,
but the aux battery was not actually receiving a charge, it had been running
off the aux battery!
Many other faults were determined in my system. I will be reevaluating the
system in plans of an upgrade soon, probably to a Surepower 1315, comprable
Yalanda, or similar type combination "smart" relay/isolator and some heavier
wire at that time.
It goes to show you that the stock system of relay and what not, won't
handle an 88ah deep cycle pack and a 140amp alternator (I think?) once the
pack gets low!
-Craig
'85GL turned WESTY
Bostig in the back
On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 11:11 AM, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 3:26 PM, craig cowan<phishman068@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Well guys, its time I thank the masses.Over the course of the last few
> > months, plenty of people have given me great advice on preparing for the
> > vanagon-dream-trip. I cannot possibly thank all of these people
> > individually. I would also like to thank list members Peter Osianoski and
> > Tom Buses for allowing me a place to park for the night on the way out. I
> > also cannot speak highly enough of the gang Peter assembled (some of whom
> > are list members but names I forget), my meeting with Bob Stevens in Salt
> > Lake City, and a few other vanagon nuts I had a chance to talk with along
> > the way.
> >
> > I just completed my journey from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to Reno Nevada,
> > over the course of 5 days, alone. I made the trip using my 1985 (mostly)
> > vanagon which I have rebuilt from a piece of junk almost 5 years ago now,
> > converted to a full westfalia, and now installed a Bostig Engineering
> engine
> > conversion in! Many of you may have noticed I didn't ask any questions
> > during the bostig install... because it's that easy! I cannot speak
> highly
> > enough about this product and won't go into a rant about that but will
> say
> > this, I've had my engine conversion running for 3 weeks now. The
> lettering
> > on the Ford Focus engine indicates I purchased it from the junk yard on
> > 5-3-09. So the conversion only took about 2 weeks of working on and off,
> > alone, and I immediately took it across the country! I don't know how
> many
> > people can say they put 1 tank of gasoline on an engine conversion before
> > taking it the next 3000 miles, but I can!
> > With that said, the trip was just wonderful! I averaged 21mpg between all
> my
> > tanks of gasoline, with my best tank coming in at 26mpg. This was
> > maintaining speeds of 70-75mph the entire way! I did run a few tanks of
> E85
> > ethanol as well, paying as low as $1.20/gallon!
> >
> > All the mechanical systems on the bus performed as expected, and it was
> very
> > sure footed throughout the entire journey. I did still have intermittent
> > problems with my fridge blowing out while driving (but it appears it only
> > blows out above 70mph. If i Keep it to 70mph it will stay lit all day!),
> and
> > my aux battery charge circuit frying (Questions will follow about how to
> > better set up my charge circuit to accommodate my 88ah of deep cycle
> power
> > under the drivers seat). It's time for an oil change. I never even
> checked
> > the oil, the entire way across the country! The little zetec just keeps
> on
> > running.
> >
> > Anyway, I am now spending my summer in Reno Nevada, teaching Sailing
> > Lessons. If anyone is in the area or the surrounding areas and has
> > suggestions for weekend getaways to camp, or would like to meet up with
> me
> > somewhere and do some camping, i'd cherish the opportunity. Furthermore
> if
> > anyone is in this area and needs some wrenching done, consider me a free
> but
> > only "pretty good" mechanic.
> >
> > In August, I will be making a similar trip home. I'm not sure that i'll
> be
> > taking the same route, but may make my way through the mountainous North
> > rather than the relentlessly boring "middle". In my mind, Nebraska needs
> to
> > be eliminated.....from everything. Regardless, I look forward to meeting
> > more of you guys!
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Craig Cowan
> > '85Gl turned WESTY
> > Bostig in the back.
> >
>
>
> There is no better feeling. Getting ones ride to the point that it can
> be trusted, firing it up, hearing it purr, and hitting the road with
> peace of mind. Enjoying the fruits of your labour. I too know that
> feeling.
>
> Sounds like an awesome time man!
>
> Not to be a nag, but is there a fuse installed between positive post
> and load on your aux. battery?
>
> Neil.
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>
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