What's wrong with using the relay isolation kit?  I put one in my Westy with
excellent results.  Very easy to do too!
TEMiller

----- Original Message -----
From: "mark drillock" <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 11:41 AM
Subject: Re: Why do JC Whitney Battery isolators have this VW caveat?

> MANY premium brand manufacturers use the same basic alternator with
> integrated regulator as the Vanagon. Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, Audi, Saab,
> etc..... Hard to accept that these all would use something "truly
> pathetic" to only save a buck. I have owned several of these other
> vehicle brands and had good battery life and few charging problems just
> as with my Vanagons.
>
> Mark
>
> Steve Delanty wrote:
> > .....
> > However, there are some cheesy charging systems that do NOT
> > measure the voltage at the battery, but instead measure it right
> > at the output of the alternator. The GM "1-wire" alternators and
> > the Bosch alternator use in the Vanagon are notable examples.
> > It's a truly pathetic way to charge a battery and the only reason
> > it is done is to save a buck. It generally leads to very poor battery
> > voltage regulation, especially if the wire from the alternator to the
> > battery is long and thin. (Vanagon!)
> > .....
>