At 10:17 AM 7/12/2002, The Bus Depot wrote:
>The original VW/Westfalia design uses a relay instead of an isolator. When
>the key is off, only the aux battery is connected, so the starting battery
>cannot be drained.

I wish that were true.  In the stock VW setup, the only load on the aux
battery is the fridge heating element.  Period.  All other loads including
the fridge fan are fed from the starting battery at all times.

>  When you turn the key both batteries are connected, so
>that they can both be charged.

Actually the connection takes place when the alternator begins charging,
not when you turn the key..

david

--
David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"