My friend Steve (who's very mechanically minded) and I got together to
install my second battery.  We ran into some trouble, and we're looking for
advice.

The full detail, along with a couple of pictures to explain, is on the web
here:  http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/batteries.  The basic situation is that I
bought an Optima yellow-top, and on the instructions of someone in an RV
shop we bought an isolator (the type with two diodes inside to direct
current) that is used by RV folks to connect their second battery.  Steve
first wired the old battery to the isolator, and with just that connected
the van wouldn't start.  He checked it and played with it but couldn't
figure out why it wouldn't work.  It was dark out by then, so we couldn't
experiment further, but he also felt he needed more knowledge than we had.

If you think you might have any suggestions, please take a look at the
website, which includes the wiring chart we're following, photo of the old
battery explaining what we connected (bad quality, unfortunately, it was
dark when I took it), and a list of hypotheses as to what might be wrong.
And if you reply, PLEASE copy Steve on your email (all those ormswyn
addresses - I don't know which he actually checks) so he'll be able to mull
over your thoughts.  He's not on the vanagon list.

Thank you!  At least we didn't have any trouble getting the yellow-top in
the space, drilling out holes for the top connectors to stick out, and so
on.  Unlike me, Steve isn't phased by mechanical stuff, and does have tools,
and does know cars and electricity!

Joy

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Joy Hecht
and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
and Henrietta, sad-eyed orangutan who waltzes with Matilda and me
and Bicycle and Kayak, who ride on Matilda
and my 2002 green Prius, waiting for our return from the vanadventures
For musings about life and the vanadventures:
http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
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