Date: Sat, 4 Jul 2015 16:43:52 -0700
Reply-To: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Batteries and solar panels!
In-Reply-To: <CAOBs5F4=G+6M55mC6aiK7cZsdVt7FXAmQDoFaUZHysrP=ZjoPQ@mail.gmail.com>
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Just saw the post about battery woes, which had a link to Ken Wilford's
Installing a Second Battery on YouTube. So I'll probably use wheel chair
batteries for the 2nd battery.
Ken explained that there was no way for the 12 volt battery to power the
fridge unless the motor was running. I haven't checked the aux battery,
and I know that an engine battery can drop dead without warning -
especially if it's up in years. I won't have to check aux batt until
Monday. In any case, I'm pretty sure I'll need to replace the engine
battery, so would like suggestions for that.
Patti
90 Westy Automatic
Los Angeles
On Sat, Jul 4, 2015 at 4:30 PM, PB <pbrattan@gmail.com> wrote:
> Yes, stock. Thanks for that explanation, Neil. I didn't realize a bad
> aux battery would affect the engine battery. It's been plugged into
> electrical for the past 3 (hot) days so I could see fridge temps throughout
> the day, although, AGAIN, I don't know if I hit the wrong switch on the
> fridge panel and chose 12 volt instead of 120. (I'm going to put stickers
> in English on the fridge panel to avoid a repeat!)
>
> A 12 volt fridge is on my wish list, to be powered by solar panels. Also,
> would like all house lights to be powered by aux battery. That's why I'm
> asking about batteries now. Don't want to learn later down the line that I
> should have gotten a different battery.
>
> Aux battery switch sounds like a great idea. So if it had an aux battery
> switch, I would have switched off the aux battery and just used electrical
> power from the cable? (I'm somewhat a dork regarding electrical info, but
> I think I understood this idea!)
> Patti
>
> On Sat, Jul 4, 2015 at 4:18 PM, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Is this the stock Dometic fridge? If it's wired OEM
>> it shouldn't affect the battery; engine has to be running for it
>> to operate in 12 volt mode. Sounds to me like
>> the aux. battery is low and is a load on the starter battery
>> given that there's no relay installed.
>>
>> What loads would typically be on the aux. battery?
>>
>> Though it would require diligence on my part to make sure
>> I operate the switch when needed, I've been
>> giving thought to installing a battery switch in place
>> of an isolator for the aux. battery. (kill 2 birds; battery kill
>> switch and isolator in one?)
>>
>> Neil.
>>
>> On 7/4/15, PB <pbrattan@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> > For the past few days, I had the van plugged in and was testing the
>> > fridge. I might have accidentally had it on the wrong setting because
>> when
>> > I unplugged it and turned the key, the battery was very low, but not
>> dead.
>> > It's probably time to replace the 8 year old battery, so what is the
>> best
>> > choice? (That battery was bought in a hurry, so don't know if it's the
>> > best fit for power and physical size.)
>> >
>> > Also, I now know that I never had the aux battery relay system. I just
>> > have an aux battery, and it's a little too large for the compartment
>> it's
>> > in. At some point within the time of a battery's life span, I plan to
>> have
>> > the relay system installed and get some solar panels. I don't want to
>> have
>> > to repurchase any batteries due to poor planning.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Neil n
>>
>> Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
>>
>> 1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
>>
>> 1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>> >
>>
>> Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>
>>
>
>
>
> --
>
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