I have my 87 set up this way but perhaps a first step would be to make
sure that whatever drained your main battery gets connected to the aux
battery instead. It is a simple matter to connect all the interior
lights, radio, and cig lighter to the aux battery. One added wire is all
that is needed and no cutting of the stock wires.

Mark

dave bowers wrote:
>
> Hey Folks,
>
> I managed to kill the primary battery on my 1986 Westy while I was camping.
> Getting it restarted (jumped) was a piece of cake. I simply connected my
> jumper cables to my aux batt. and "vrrrrrooooom."
>
> While I was jumping my self (so to speak), I wondered .... is there a safe
> way to hardwire a proper gauge wire from the positive terminal of my Aux.
> batt. to the pos. terminal of my primary batt with a switch in between?
>
> The idea being, should I kill my battery again, I could just throw the
> switch, start the car then flip the switch back. There seems to be enough
> room in the center walkway to run a coated wire from batt. to batt. under
> the matt, and perhaps even under the center isle.
>
> Has anyone tried this? I realized our batteries are each grounded well, that
> when one goes to jump themselves (so to speak) that you don't even have to
> use the black cable.
>
> I don't have plans to kill my battery any more, tho this is the kind of
> project I'd like to have set up, if it's safe to do.  Comments? Suggestions?
> Opinions? Recommendations? I'm on vacation, and have the free time. Lemme
> know what you think.
>
> Thanks much,
>
> dave-o :)
> _______________
>
> dave bowers
> Portland, Oregon
> 1986 Westy "HMS Beagle"
> http://www.dave-bowers.com/vw