Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 16:58:33 -0700
Reply-To: Brent Christensen <bpchristensen@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Brent Christensen <bpchristensen@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: Re: Auxillary battery alternative
In-Reply-To: <000a01becf1b$b314bd20$5125a2d1@dell>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
By "charging requirements" I assume you mean the limitation on top-end
voltage. The limit is 14.2 volts. In my testing so far (albeit not
exhaustive) I have not seen the charging rate in my Westy go up beyond about
13.9 volts. Also, the C/20 rate for two U1 batteries from East Penn is 63.2
Close enough to the single Optima to be pretty much insiginificant, no?
(I'm not an expert) The two East Penn gel batteries were about $120, and no
shipping cost since I got them locally. The Optima is about $150 to $170
plus shipping (usually another $15 or so, at least). Bottom line, a savings
of about $45 for about the same reserve capacity. I will admit, though that
getting the two batteries into the box under the drivers seat took some
minor modifications (as I am sure the Optima does).
As to the wiring, I don't understand this talk about wires going under the
car to the starter, etc. In my set-up the aux. batteries just power the
accessories, not the starter. If I had to, I guess I could "jump" the main
battery from the aux battery bank with a pair of jumper cables.
Yes, you are right; the amperage required to recharge aux batteries (of any
type) is probably more than the stock Westy wiring is safe to handle, and it
is on my list of things to upgrade *soon*. However, I can say with
authority that I have been on three camping trips (the last being over 2,500
miles and 2 1/2 weeks) and the 20 amp fuse that I have in line with the
charging wire has not blown yet.
What can I say - it works (so far). :-)
Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy "Klaus"
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Davidson [mailto:wdavidson@thegrid.net]
> Sent: Thursday, July 15, 1999 4:42 PM
> To: Brent Christensen; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Re: Auxillary battery alternative
>
>
> Something to keep in mind:
> gel-cell batteries have special charging requirements or they will be
> damaged.
> Optima does not.
> Also, as for the 52 amp rating of the Optima, that is at the C/2 rate.
> The spec sheet claims 65 amp hours at the C/20 rate
> So it's important to make sure you are compare apples & apples.
> Finally, if you think you want to use the stock wiring between the starter
> and the auxiliary batteries I hope you will reconsider pushing all those
> amps through a 2.5mm (equivalent of about a #13 gauge wire). It
> is not safe.
> Good Luck
> Bill
> 90 Westy Syncro
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Brent Christensen <bchristensen@ROCK-SYSTEMS.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Date: Thursday, July 15, 1999 10:53 AM
> Subject: Re: Auxillary battery alternative
>
>
> >David:
> >
> >I think I have a superior set-up to the Optima for less money.
> I used the
> >stock Westy wiring scheme, with the addition of bypassing the
> cabin lights
> >and accessories to the aux battery (in the stock config, using
> the existing
> >wiring, these items still run off the main battery).
> >
> >The batteries I used are two gel-cell "U1" sized batteries fitted
> >side-by-side and wired in parallel. They provide 66 amp hrs as
> opposed to
> >the Optima's 52, and cost about $60 each. Plus, they carry a terrific
> >guarantee and are available at many battery shops. You can
> check out their
> >web page at www.eastpenn-deka.com The guy at the battery shop
> swore that
> >they are better quality than the Optimas (which he also sells)
> >
> >Also, I have spec sheets for the battery if anyone is
> interested. (One of
> >these days I will scan them and post them to a web page)
> >
> >Regards,
> >
> >Brent Christensen
> >'89 GL Syncro Westy "Klaus"
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: David Bogle [mailto:bogle@BWAY.NET]
> >Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 1999 11:29 PM
> >Subject: Re: Auxillary battery alternative
> >
> >
> >paul banks wrote:
> >>
> >> 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....
> >
> >Well I've read them all too, and I'm still wondering why not set it up
> >as outlined on the Vanagon.com website:
> >http://vanagon.com/info/faq/#electrical. No wires running under the
> >body to the starter battery, new relays, etc.
> >
> >It seems this is how VW intended it to be done. May, not be bomb proof,
> >but that's what I will try first, at least.
> >
> >Incidentally, I've found an inexpensive source for the Optima D900 M
> >(same animal as the D750 S and U, but additional screw posts on top for
> >wire connections, and no side "GM" terminals) for $160 delivered (while
> >they last)! www.dcbattery.com
> >
> >Since I will opt for the upright position, this should be handy.
> >
> >--
> >Regards,
> >David Bogle
> >Brooklyn
> >'87 Syncro Westfalia
> >
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