Date:         Wed, 1 Sep 1999 13:51:28 EDT
Reply-To:     Ssittservl@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         S Sittservl <Ssittservl@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Newbie questions
Comments: To: ajflint@itsa.ucsf.edu
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>  From:    ajflint@ITSA.UCSF.EDU (Alan J. Flint)
>
>          1)  Power sources.  When I am plugged into AC power, obviously I
>  can run the Dometic on AC (nice cold beer after the evening's engine work
>  is done).  But my question is: are other (usually DC) items like the dash
>  radio and the galley overhead light, also running off the AC, or am I
>  still just running down my Diehard battery?

You're just running down your Diehard.  The AC connection on the
Westfalia simply connects to two standard duplex AC sockets: the
one by the back seat, and one under the sink.  The fridge is plugged
into the one under the sink.  Nothing else runs off the AC.

>  Or a related question, does
>  the AC connection actually recharge the battery, or can only the
>  alternator (while running) do that?

Only the alternator.

>  I have a small onboard automatic
>  charger that I installed in my VW Pickup to recharge the battery when I
>  plug in the block heater/charger.  Does my Camper already have this
>  charger ability?

No, but you could install something similar.  I've got a 3-amp charger
connected to my AC line, and I use this to charge my batteries.
(I've got an auxiliary battery, but the charger would work just as well
with the starting battery alone.)  Since I typically don't use more than
about 3 amps of DC stuff (lights, pump, etc.) at once, the charger is
effectively running the DC stuff when I've got the AC plugged in.
Details at http://members.aol.com/ssittservl/Westfalia.

Keep in mind that some chargers aren't meant to be left attached
once the battery's fully charged - you'll need to either get one that's
meant to be left attached, or you'll need to disconnect it after you're
plugged into AC for a while.

>  Oh, and I'm also looking for a (double) middle seat for my gray Westfalia,

Try Chris at JordanVw@AOL.COM.  He's a regular contributer to the list,
and has advertised recently that he has these seats for sale.

>  Alan
>  '87 Syncro Westfalia

                                                              -Steven Sittser