The problem with the relay is not that it will cause charging problems, but
rather that it is undersized to safely handle the potential current flowing
to/from the battery.

Your problem is possibly due to chronic over or undercharging, or perhaps
the relay has failed completely, and therefore the battery is not charging
at all.

BTW,  these gel-type batteries are very picky about charge voltages.

Brent Christensen

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Manning
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: 3/22/2000 8:27 AM
Subject: Optima Batteries

Hello list members,

I have a question on installing an Optima Battery for anyone who already
has one installed. Checking the archives, I noticed on list member
stated
you need to replace the 30 amp relay under the drivers seat with a
bigger
relay as well as a #8 wire from the alternator to the relay.

Right now, I have a 32 amp hr battery with the standard westy 30 amp
relay
and would like to know if anyone is still using this relay/wire setup
with
an Optima without upgrading. I follwed the instructions from the Vanagon
site and had no problems until this year when the battery just won't
hold
a charge anymore.

TIA
-steve

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