Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:44:48 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Newbie question about auxiliary power
In-Reply-To: <CAP15vTZ+X+PmP-RGj6-g584sSUFQBKSnsVJQMvnYyXqJLoM_=A@mail.gmail.com>
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That dead battery needs to be removed as dead batteries will freeze and
crack letting the electrolyte leak everywhere.
If the battery compartment has not been changed you can use a standard group
41 battery. While not ideal it works well for intermittent use and is very
reasonable price wise. For this use Wal-Mart is probably the best source.
Good price and no questions best warranty.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Tim Englund
Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2011 8:56 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Newbie question about auxiliary power
Thanks, Loren and Dennis,
Yes, I did mean the interior lights, not the headlights. I'll be more clear
in the future. Nothing electrical works when I turn off the engine.
I put a test light (my voltmeter died) on the aux battery when the engine
wasn't running. Nothing.
Tried again when the engine was running and it lit up. So, my first guess is
that the aux battery is shot. Is there a type/brand of battery people like
for these?
The van is now stored for the winter in my garage. We have snow and highs in
the 20's. This makes it hard to test the fridge. Guess I thought I'd hear it
"pop" on like the mini fridge in my office. In any case, the fridge is the
least of my worries....
My biggest worry: I've got gas leaking like crazy from the end of the
plastic piece in the firewall by the engine. It definitely wasn't leaking
when I drove her up from LA the other week. I'm wondering if the cold has
anything to do the problem. I'll change out the fuel lines completely come
spring, but I just filled the tank for winter and 16 gallons is a lot of gas
to dispose of! :)
Thanks again!
-Tim
On Sun, Nov 20, 2011 at 10:01 AM, Loren Busch <starwagen@gmail.com> wrote:
> RE: Aux Battery Mystery
> Tim, what lights are you talking about when you say the lights don't
> come on? I talking about the headlights they do turn off when the
> ignition is off. The side marker/turn signals stay on though and will
> still run your battery down over time.
> The interior lights should work all the time. That includes the light
> over the storage behind the stove. In many cases when an aux battery
> is installed the interior lights, radio and cigar lighter wiring is
> changed to be on the aux battery.
> A properly installed and working aux battery is connected to the
> starting battery and being charged when the engine is running. When
> the engine is off the aux battery is disconnected from the charging
> circuit and starting battery.
> The refrigerator should work when set to AC and there is shore power
> plugged into the van. It will cool slowly so give it some time. It
> should only work on 12v when the engine is running. 12v shouldn't be
> avialable to the refrigerator when the engine is off. It will kill an
> aux battery in about 2 hours.
> As you suggested put a meter on the aux battery and see if it has a
charge.
> Then check it with the engine running and you should see about 14v at
> the aux battery if the charging circuit is working,
>
>
>