Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 10:04:25 -0500
Reply-To: Phillip Bouton <pbouton@NACCHO.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Phillip Bouton <pbouton@NACCHO.ORG>
Subject: FW: vent for the batter--Q's--why not aux too?
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
Here is one repsonse I received. It is interesting that the non-camper 88
does not have a vent for the battery. He confirms your assumption that it
off gasses only when charging.
-----Original Message-----
From: Davidson [mailto:wdavidson@thegrid.net]
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 1999 8:30 PM
To: Phillip Bouton
Subject: Re: vent for the batter--Q's--why not aux too?
Philip,
My vent opens pretty much straight down into the rear part of the passenger
side wheel well. Sticks through the metal by about 2 or 3 inches as I
remember. No wires coming through, but I have seen several posts over the
past few months with admissions of taking the easy way through the battery
vent when running after market wires. Any wires coming through the vent are
almost surely after market.
As for the cold air, if you feel it coming out of the battery compartment
that means your battery compartment lid is not sealed properly. As for why
the auxiliary battery compartment is not even designed to be vented or
sealed... Dunno. That's VW for you. My guess is that in most cases it was
only meant as a spare tool box. According to Harald's investigations, only
the weedender models ever came with an auxiliary battery. Perhaps they are
vented and sealed.. Dunno.
I put in an auxiliary battery, but happily it is sealed so no toxic fumes
problem.
My understanding is that the further down the starter battery (or any
unsealed battery) is drawn, then the more charging it will take once you
start the van, and the more chemical reactions, and the more fumes. The
worst would be an old battery that needs a jump. But every start of the
battery draws down the battery and then it is recharged by the alternator
causing chemical reactions and fumes.
That's the little that I know...
What do you mean EXTRA VENT?
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
-----Original Message-----
From: Phillip Bouton < pbouton@NACCHO.ORG <mailto:pbouton@NACCHO.ORG> >
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> <
vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> >
Date: Thursday, January 28, 1999 2:20 PM
Subject: vent for the batter--Q's--why not aux too?
What is the shape of the vent hose for the primary battery as it comes out
from underneath the van? Mine looks as if it has been cut and opens
straight down to the ground, offering extra (COLD!) ventilation for the
passenger area. I also have two wires coming out which I think are not
stock.
Why is it that the primary battery has a vent and the aux battery
compartment does not?
How much off-gassing is there really? If the Aux compartment does not have
a vent then why is it necessary to vent the primary compartment?
I have an 87 Westy with an extra vent. Appreciate any speculation/answers.
><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>:-)
Phillip Bouton (PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS)
National Association of County and City Health Officials
1100 17th Street, NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20036
PBouton@naccho.org
http://www.naccho.org <http://www.naccho.org>
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