Date:         Sun, 20 Jul 1997 19:16:14 -0400
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         olmcons <olmcons@NETINC.CA>
Subject:      Re: Camping Battery

Oxroad@AOL.COM wrote:

> Hello-
>
> I've been to Vanagon.com and read the info on adding an extra battery
> to my
> 83.5 Westfalia. Thanks for that. But I have a few questions.
>
> My auto electric guy was a little leary about adding a battery. He
> said the
> alternator's life would be dramatically shortened by having to charge
> an
> additional battery. Especially if that battery is often completely
> discharged. He also said the deep cycle wheel chair batteries were way
>
> expensive and heavy and I should go with a boat battery.
> TIA
> Jeff
> 83.5 Westy


I have a problem with these statements.  I have run a deep discharge
auxiliary battery in my van for 14 years.  I still have the original
alternator with no problems (now I have said that it will probably blow
up).  The inrush into a discharged deep discharge (try saying that three
times fast) battery is not very high.  I use an isolation switch to
prevent discharging my primary battery when stopped, and connect it when
the engine in running.  I have a diesel, and when the engine starts the
alternator regulator does not cut in until I put a few revs on the
engine.  If I was concerned about throwing a sudden load on the
alternator I could cut it in then, but I don't bother.  I have the
auxiliary battery fused with a 50 amp fuse to the main battery.  I have
never blown a fuse, so the inrush is less than 50 amps.  I think all
alternators are rated at at least 50 amps.

BTW I switch the ground connection of my auxiliary battery, and leave
the positive side always connected.
--
Diesel John

'83 Vanagon Diesel GL  'The Smoking Tortoise'
'71 S-Cab 'Ole Blu'
'83 Audi 5000 TD
'84 Audi 5000 Avant
ex '71 Superbeetle
ex '71 Window Van
ex '76 Scirocco
ex '77 & '78 Rabbit Diesel
LiMBO & VW Club member