Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2015 08:46:56 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Need to add a switch to shut off my accessories while parked
In-Reply-To: <CAHTkEuL1dw3RUt=nYpgxrHENn+0h7+j0P7bfgiSzKOTmKSqMNg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
a link, maybe, to one type of battery switch...Google "Marine battery
switch" and you get lots of hits
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCL7X8NjT-8YCFQ86iAodgZQCyA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fboatwiringadvice.com%2Farchived%2Fmarine-electrical%2Fboat-wiring%2Fbatteries%2Fbattery-switches%2F&ei=5FG2Vb7VO4_0oASBqYrADA&bvm=bv.98717601,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNEcAW0ll8peaZLSsoRV0gxIQRWHEQ&ust=1438098270594786
On Mon, Jul 27, 2015 at 8:43 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ever considered a marine or race car total battery cut off switch?
> There are variously configured ones available that are installed into the
> battery cable and essentially function like removing one of your
> cables...One could mount it against the passenger seat pedestal to be
> within reach from the driver's side...in case of fire or shorts...also
> convenient to just jump in and reach over to "activate" the electricals of
> the van.....
> The marine type also has a selector capability for ......batt !, batt
> 2, or batt All...so you could isolate your starter battery manually if you
> wanted....etc...
>
> On Mon, Jul 27, 2015 at 8:20 AM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
>> Jim,
>>
>> You measure the currents draw on that circuit yet? It's amazing the USB
>> ports and voltmeter would draw much power.
>>
>> As an aside, I installed a switch to disconnect the power feed to door
>> activated lights. I switch that circuit off when camping. One drawback I
>> haven't addressed yet ( awaiting my cluster re wiring project) is that the
>> door light circuit also powers the digital clock.
>>
>> Alistair
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Jul 27, 2015, at 8:14 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> >
>> > I recently added some really cool accessories to my 83 diesel Westy. On
>> the
>> > dash, I added one of the banged.com "motorcycle" combination
>> USB/voltmeter
>>
>> > outlets (just the dual USB port) on the dash by enlarging the hole for
>> the
>> > factory eberspacher heater switch.
>> >
>> > In the rear, I removed the rear seat ashtray and created a brown
>> blanking
>> > plate out of painted aluminum that precisely fits where the ashtray door
>> > once fit, making a flush surface across the base which of course still
>> > snaps into its hole as before. Into this I mounted the USB port and
>> > voltmeter combination so that passengers and campers will have charging
>> > access and I will be able to see what the voltage is at night and
>> charge my
>> > devices while I sleep.
>> >
>> > All well and good, I love it that I can see the battery level from the
>> > driver's side of the car just by looking into it.
>> >
>> > Except that what I see is the battery dropping precipitously. This
>> would be
>> > no big deal before I got a nice TDI jetta which has replaced the camper
>> as
>> > my daily driver, giving it a well-deserved rest from roadwork. But now
>> that
>> > I only drive the camper once a week or so, either the LEDs in the
>> voltage
>> > indicator or the USB ports themselves are pulling it down say two volts
>> > every 24 hours. I was gone all weekend, so today I have about 8.5. It's
>> > nice that I don't have to get inside the car to know that, and because
>> of
>> > the external Anderson Powerpole connector wired to the battery I do not
>> > have to open a door to remedy the problem, but it needs a solution.
>> >
>> > I never had this problem before the new additions, by the way. The
>> batter
>> > is just a year old.
>> >
>> > Which, the USB side with its LED indicator, or the LED numeric display,
>> is
>> > causing the problem? I would like to be able to switch the offender
>> off.Or
>> > maybe something near the fuse block, to turn everything off when it's
>> > sitting in the driveway or not in use at a campground?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Jim
>>
>
>
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