Date:         Sat, 15 May 2010 07:03:03 -0500
Reply-To:     Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Short Question-SOLVED
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

OK, here goes....First of all, a VoltMinder is a good thing especially when
not experienced with the electrical system in the van.  I would not have
known I had a problem without it.
When I placed the SPDT switch and wired to each battery, there was some
stress on the switch and caused it to rotate in the grommet, hence my aux
battery was draining, not the main battery.  Reason for drain was blown 100
amp fuse. I have one before and after the 1315.  SurePower rep recommended
removing the one before the 1315.  Seems this one blew and the aux battery
was not charging off the alt and draining from accesories connected to #3
fuse(remember I re-assigned it to the aux).  After full charge on aux
battery and removal of that first fuse, all is charging well and both
batteries reading 13.75 while driving.  Will check it again this morning,
but last nite seems it is all OK.
Will admit that I had to pay a electrical shop to confirm all this.  The
repair guy wanted me to throw out the 1315 at first becuase it was not
connecting the batteries, but the trhreshhold for 1315 is between 13.2 and
13.7, so once the bad fuse was removed and main battery was topped off, it
started working again like a charm. Now the electrical guy thinks it is a
'nifty' device and wants one for himself. Not sure whatcaused that fuse to
blow in the first place, but fixed now. Guess I did hook up everything
correctly after all.
Anyway, I feel really good about it now and when wife goes to Vegas next
week, I'm hitting the road for some time off.
thanks for the brainstorms.  Wish I new the more about electrical stuff and
could have saved a buck, but I can make more $$ working than I could have
saved my fixing it myself.
Again, this list is invaluable with regards to having SPECIFIC info to this
vehicle.  It is really hard to find folks that can understand the van.
P.S.  The repair guy had this notion that I was a vegetarian.  Finally
figured out that he thinks VW van drivers are all vegetarians. I told him
that I thought all Mexicans were illegal...made a new friend.
Peace and Love
Michael in San Antonio
91GL Weekender AT 2.1L 'Gringo'
73 Beetle


On Tue, May 11, 2010 at 6:21 PM, Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@gmail.com>wrote:

> Can I get pointed in right direction, please?  Main battery is draining
> when key in ignition. #3 fuse re-assigned to aux battery(currently at 13.61
> and steady). If I turn on radio, main battery drops.  If I use cig lighter,
> drops.  If I remove the #3 fuse wire that I ran to aux, main battery still
> drops.  Was fine last nite and this morning I started van and noticed low
> battery, but stereo eventually started breaking up and eventually I turned
> off.  Earlier main battery dropped from 13.61 to 13.51 in one minute after
> starting and down to 11.31 within 4 minutes. Weird thing is,
> stereo(#3)assigned to aux battery...why does the low charge on main battery
> affect it?  Stumped and pretty teed off at this point. Thanks.
>
> Michael in San Antonio
> 91GL Weekender AT 2.1L 'Gringo'
> 73 Beetle
>