Mark & Company,

Forgive me for coming into this discussion late.

Still catching up on list readings after the last email connection.

What was the conclusion to this thread.

My Interest,

I'm running two Optima's (red & yellow).

Pretty much wired the standard way with the hella relay.

Only exception is I have a marine 2 bank selector switch.

I run both batteries down to a full discharge of 11.5 volts most every
night (7 days a week).

So far (6 mnths & 16,000 miles) I haven't had any recharging problems.

Typical days driving is 4-6 hrs.

Also ... On days when I'm not driving and their isn't enough sun for the
two 75 watt solar panels .... I run my engine (at idle) for a few
minutes and it seems to be enough to top off the batteries.

"Don't let your Dreams be Dreams."
  - Jack Johnson

Larry Chase
Email: RoadGuy@RoadHaus.com
Web: www.RoadHaus.com
Cell: 480 620 8966
What: North American Road Trip
How: RoadHaus - 1990 White VW Westfalia Syncro
Today: Roaming the Yukon & Alaska.

- - -

Date:    Thu, 24 Jul 2003 07:49:04 -0700
From:    mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Vanagon alternator too weak for Optimas.

This discussion calls into question the sometimes suggested method for
charging aux batteries in Westys by using the fridge relay as the source
of charging current. At SDM a couple months ago someone had an Optima
connected this way that would not seem to hold a charge. When we
measured the voltage at the aux battery with the engine running it was
under 13 volts. When the fridge was turned to 12 volts operation the
voltage at the aux battery dropped to about 12.5 volts. When we checked
the voltage on the starter battery it was just under 14 volts at the
same time that the aux bat was seeing 12.5 volts. All that drop was due
to the wiring from the main battery to the dash and then to the fridge
relay. Obviously, a separate wire should be used to connect the 2
batteries for charging purposes or the Optima will never be of much use.
Using the fridge relay as a quick and dirty charging source is not a
good idea.

Mark