The positive side of the auxiliary battery was originally connected in two places, to the cut-out relay and to a lighter socket located on the passenger seat pedestal between the seats. The battery and outlet were installed specifically for the Dometic RC160E refrigerator that originally came with your particular camper model. The cut-out relay connects the auxiliary battery to the alternator to charge it when the engine is running and disconnects it when the ignition switch is off.

More information about your particular camper model is found in the Camper Supplement Manual that I have scanned and posted at http://photos.yahoo.com/tjhannink - Select [Vanagon] and [1987 Camper Supplement Manual]

I replaced the original outlet with a twist-lock socket and changed the plug on the fridge to match. I added a US sized lighter outlet which I use instead of using the original VW type on the dash.

Tim Hannink
Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
Winter Park, Florida

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Jamie Ayotte
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2001 2:06 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: do i need two batteries???

hello.  i have an 86 westfalia wolfsburg and am wondering what- if anything
does my accessory battery do??  the fridge and stuff were removed before i
bought it.  does the accesory battery supply power when the van is not
running??  for the radio, or the light...  or should i just remove it?  or
does anyone have any cool ideas of what to use it for??

thanks.

jamie

86 westy
78 vespa
98 golden retriever

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