In a message dated 18/03/2004 6:48:41 PM Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

a  healthy alternator will output 14-14.5V. My Optima
auxillary battery tends  to peak at 12.7 volts when
full, it should be at LEAST 13.8 range...its a  mystery
becouse I use a big industrial relay and 4 guage wire.
My  driving battery is always green(my interior
lights/stereo amp are powered  by the optima aux
battery)
Optima recommends keeping the battery  at  13.8V-15V
My Optima is reading  13.5 ~ 13.9 now, after shut down, since installing the
Sure Power battery  isolator.  I had the same problem your having when using
the relay  method.  See previous posts over the last few weeks.  I understand
your using a large relay and proper #4 gauge wire so I'm not sure why your
having the problem.  These Optima batteries must be charged in a fashion  not
similar to normal car starting batteries is all I can think of right  now.  All
I can tell you for certain is that since installing the Sure  Power unit, the
Optima stays within acceptable charge limits.
Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 10 ~ 13, 2004
'87 Westy & Lionel  Trains
Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
(http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/)  & _CCVWC_
(http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  the Ottawa Valley
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or  http://frankcondelli.com