Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 18:49:06 -0700
Reply-To: Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject: Re: Auxillary battery alternative
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Paul,
If the batteries are not isolated it is possible for camping appliances to
drain both batteries to the point that you can not start you engine. The
fact that has not happened to you simply means that you don't use a lot of
power in camp. That may not be the case for other people. For instance, I
camp in very remote places in the desert for 7 to 10 days at a time. I'm
sure I would run both batteries dead in that amount of time.
In addition, it is well documented that starter batteries will have their
lives shortened when used in an auxiliary battery application. They are
designed to start engines; not to run appliances.
This also applies to your auxiliary battery if it is not a deep cycle
battery which is designed to run appliances.
Also, if your batteries are not sealed or vented to the outside, then you
are generating poison gas inside the van airspace.
If you had a starter battery and a deep cycle battery with a switch or
isolator to separate them it is possible that your starter battery would
have lasted 7 years and your deep cycle 10 years (instead of 5 years each)!
And you might not be breathing poison gas if the deep cycle were sealed
(like the Optima) and your starter battery vented to the outside. Something
to think about.
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
-----Original Message-----
From: paul banks <paulbanks@NLLFAN.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Wednesday, July 14, 1999 6:23 PM
Subject: Auxillary battery alternative
>Over the last couple of months, I have read many
>elegant configurations listmembers devised for their battery systems.
>
>The way mine are set up is cheap and effective, and I wonder why no one
else mentions theirs being installed similarily.
>
>My batteries are simply connected in parallel. Thus, both batteries are
charged and discharged together. I have never had a problem with running out
of power for starting or at the campsite. The only potential problem is that
if one battery dies, it will help discharge the good battery. However, if
two new batteries are installed together, you won't have to worry about that
for about five years.
>
>I have run my Westy like this for five years and needed to replace both
batteries this spring. I don't know if isolating your batteries will give
greater life, but I think 5 years was fair value. Best of all, I saved a few
$$$ by not buying additional equipment.
>
>Paul
>
>Paul Banks
>'89 Vanagon Westfalia
>
>Signup for your FREE NLL FAN account at http://www.nllfan.com
>
