Date:         Thu, 13 Aug 1998 14:10:16 -0700
Reply-To:     John Thomas <jthomas@CRUZIO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         John Thomas <jthomas@CRUZIO.COM>
Subject:      84 Westy - Refrig drained Aux and Main Battery.
Comments: To: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

In a previous msg I asked about my possible misconception about it not being
possible to drain the main battery with the refrig if the Aux battery is
installed.
When I installed the Aux battery I used the instructions in
http://www.vanagon.com/info/faq/#electrical
*********
>> 1.How do I connect a 2nd battery?

          Take a look in the battery compartment under your driver's seat. Many
Westy's came from
          the factory wired to accept an aux battery. Look for a relay (silver
or black cube about 1"
          by 1" by 1" with several electrical terminals). If you have one of
these then all you need is the
          proper battery, a ground strap, and a bit of wire and crimp-on
connections. Note that the
          factory setup for the aux. battery will only supply power to your
fridge and cabin light. You'll
          have to run an additional power line to your dash to power your radio
if you want it on aux.
          power. The fridge will deplete the battery in two or three hours.

          Here's what you need to do to connect an auxilliary battery if your
bus comes with the relay
          installed. You should have a few basic electrical skills, if not, get
some help from someone
          who does.

             1.Disconnect your primary battery at the ground strap.
             2.Disconnect the 2 red wires leading from the fuse box behind the
drivers seat from the
               relay terminals. These wires lead to your fridge and cabin light.
             3.Connect these two wires to the + terminal on the aux battery.
             4.Run an 8 or 10 ga wire from the + terminal on the aux battery to
terminal #30 on the
               relay. This terminal supplies current to charge the aux battery
when the van is running.
             5.Connect a ground strap to the aux battery.
             6.Reconnect the ground strap on the primary battery.

          That's it. With this configuration, the aux battery supplies cabin
power whenever your engine
          is not running. When your engine is running, the alternator charges
both batteries and
          supplies cabin power.
*********

This morning I double checked my installation and did some reading of the
Bentley.  In the "Wiring, Camper" section I see it has a separate section for
"Camper 1980-1985" and "Camper from 1986"  In the first section the relay with
Terminal #30 it is labeled as "Refrigerator 12 V Heater Relay".  On page 97.34a
for "Camper 1986-1989" there is a diagram that shows a relay "Battery Cut-out
relay" that also has a terminal #30.

So am I out of luck with my 84 Westy?   If so, What would I need to do to have
the the same protectection circuit added.  How much (approx) would it cost to
have this done. I think it would not be the job for a dummy like me.

--
John Thomas
E-mail: jthomas@cruzio.com
Web:    http://www.cruzio.com/~jthomas