Thanks for all the replies.  They really proved helpful.

I see the small relay under the driver's seat.  I'll look for the separating
relay later.  It is a deep-cycle battery.  I guess it only powers the
fluorescent interior light since I have no other accessories.

Hmm...  a small inverter and I can watch TV...  not while driving, of
course!

----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2000 7:58 PM
Subject: Re: '85 Westfalia - 2nd battery ?????

> > Related to this thread, my '87 Westfalia (full camper) doesn't have the
> second
> > battery installed, but in the compartment under the driver's seat there
is
> some
> > wiring and a square relay attached to the upper right corner. I don't
see
> any
> > battery cables, however, just the relay and some wiring.
> >
> > Can anyone confirm that this is the relay for isolating the two
batteries?
>
> I can confirm that it is not for isolating two batteries... that is, if it
> is the stock relay it is meant to supply power to the fridge which draws
> about 7 amps. It was not meant to supply power to an auxiliary battery
which
> can draw over 50 amps if the battery has been deeply discharged. As far as
I
> know no Vanagons in the U.S. came from the dealer with an auxiliary
battery
> set up (and relay rated high enough) except some of the Weekenders.
>
> > so, is the Hella dual battery kit I just ordered going to be redundant?
>
> Actually if it doesn't provide a minimum 40 amp relay and minimum 8 gauge
> wire to run to the starter battery, the Hella kit may not even be safe...
I
> have asked this question of Bus Depot and others and no one that I cam
> remember has ever responded.
>
> Bill