So, I drove the GoldBrick (Tiico conversion) to work Moonday. Nothing
special. On the way back from work, I noticed that the gas gauge was
reading awfully low (like near the red area, but with only 132 miles on
the tank). The water temperature was reading low (cool) and the LED was
blinking. Odd. I stopped and checked the water level, which was fine.
So I continue on home...well, not really.

Suddenly the engine died in the midst of traffic. I turned the key to
start it and had no juice from the battery. I had a thought, and sure,
enough no alternator belt. I'd been running on the battery for a while.

A friend came by and I hitched a ride home, picked up a battery and
went back to the GoldBrick. Got the rest of the way home. About 1/2
block away from the house  I saw he remains of a belt in the road.

So a battery will drive the van 20-30 miles (no lights, but with AC
going and stereo blasting.) Just something to add to vanagon lore.

FWIW, the guages will read lower than normal if the voltage to them is
too low.