Date:         Fri, 14 Mar 1997 12:19:58
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "sh@interlog.com" <sh@interlog.com>
Subject:      Re: '81 Westy Deep-cycle/group 41 combo Q's

>From: DAVID.HEARN.TORONTO@resonet.com

Subject: Re: '81 Westy Deep-cycle/group 41 combo Q's



1) Check marine suppliers for all components including SPDT centre off.

2) The battery isolator is of no use whatsoever without a "battery selector 
switch to take one of the batteries out of circuit during charging.  The
switch 
you need comes from a marine supply house (try West Marine chain in US)

3) the reason for 2) is best understood by reading a book on Marine Electric 
systems try "The 12 Volt Bible"



Best regards,

David Hearn
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Voice:  (416) 763-0091
FAX:    (416) 763-5519

e-mail: david.hearn.toronto@resonet.com   

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
>>Hello.
>I have equipped my '81 Westy with an Eveready Premium marine deep-cycle
>and starting battery (850 MCA, 120 Amp Hours) oohaah! I have it hooked
>up to the (pathetically inadequate) 65 amp alternator by way of a dual
>battery isolator.  I can now monitor the charge of *both* batteries with
>the LEDs on the stove panel, because I replaced the SPST micro-mini
>switch with an SPDT with a center 'off' position. (BTW nobody seems to
>supply these anymore, so you have to modify an SPDT to have an 'off',
>e-mail me if you want to know how)   
> I've noticed that while driving, the main battery (the group 41, which
>is brand new) is not charging fully. It's LED remains on yellow most of
>the time. I suspect that the 'el cheapo' isolator has too high a
>resistance for the (pathetically inadequate) 65 amp alternator to
>overcome sufficiently in order to charge both batteries. Believing this
>to be true, I rushed out and purchased one of those fat relays that
>links both batteries together only after you turn on the ignition.    
>
> Okay here are the questions...[drumroll]
>
> I am concerned that the real problem is that the two batteries are too
>different in their respective resistance's to charge equally. So the
>greedy deep-cycle battery is hogging all the charge and not leaving any
>for poor Mr. Group 41! 
> #1-Is this a factor in my dilemma? 
> #2-Do they sell and isolator that provides an appropriate charge to
>each battery depending in what type it is, eg. deep-cycle/group 41?
>(sorta like those master cylinders made for cars with front disc and
>rear drum?) 
>
> I also figured that in order to prevent the deep-cycle battery from
>sharing in the burden of cranking over the engine, I would find a place
>to connect the relay that only becomes 'hot' after the engine is
>running. I believe that the wipers go off and possibly the headlights
>too, I'll have to check. 
> #3-Does any one want to save me the time of searching and tell me the
>approximate location the relay that does that neat trick of temporarily
>shutting off the wipers and lights? I noticed a 'load reduction relay'
>in the WISE AND POWERFULL BENTLY MANUAL's wiring diagrams, is that the
>one that I seek?? Please don't make me look at those wiring diagrams
>anymore, they make my head hurt!! ;)
>
> Is there anything that I'm overloo...no, let me rephrase that...what am
>I overlooking?
>
> Oh, and yes, I am aware of the kit that boosts the output of the stock
>alternator by leaps and bounds, but I don't wish to spend the $125 to
>get one. Well, not unless I have too...
>
>Thanks in advance, during, and after.
>
>Noel Leavitt
><mleavitt@tiac.net>