As far as I can tell these kits are not at all necessary... and perhaps a
waste of money....

I think a lot of guys buy them because they think they can just follow the
instructions without knowing anything about automotive wiring... but it
seems we get a lot of questions from the people that buy them asking how to
read the instructions...

Turns out you still have to learn something about automotive wiring to
follow the instructions... to that end I always refer them to Vanagon.com
where it tells you how to wire a 2nd battery using the existing (for Westys)
fridge relay... i.e.... it turns out the Hella Dual Battery Kit is not
necessary at all if you have a Westy with an existing fridge relay in the
auxiliary battery box under the driver's seat...

So read all about it at: http://www.vanagon.com/info/faq/#electrical before
you spend your money on the Hella Kit.

Apparently the only thing the Hella Kit has that a Westy doesn't already
have is an inline fuse.. but that you can get at your local FLAPS for about
$5... no problem.

Bill

> Just a note that the Hella dual battery relay kits (part # 1738) that were
> much-discussed on the list recently are now back in stock, at the same
> $18.95 listmember price.  These genuine Hella kits include the relay,
> wiring, and instructions for adding a second, aux battery to your bus or
> van.  After some positive remarks about the kit by a Vanagon listmember
who
> happens to be expert on the subject (he's an engineer at a leading battery
> manufacturer; see the archives), listmembers quickly bought all of my
> remaining inventory. I now have more, and will be filling all backorders
> tomorrow, with extras available for anyone else who needs one.  As always,
> you can order via the website, or toll free by part number at
> 1-888-819-DEPOT.
>
> - Ron Salmon
>   The Bus Depot, Inc.
>   http://www.busdepot.com
>