Doug,
I'm pretty sure you can't run a 1000 W converter from
a single battery for very long. Even if it had a  high
efficiency you are looking at a huge current on the
order of 100A at 12 V. That empties the battery in no
time. I'm running an amplifier at about 250 W which is
fused at 30 A. Even running the fridge, fused at 15 A,
for a few hours will pretty much empty the 2nd
battery. I'd install a smaller converter.

Anyway my setup is a Optima Yellow 34/78 deep cycle
battery and an amp under the driver swivel seat.
Requires some metalworking to get it in. Battery
separator: Sure Power # 1315, which automatically
connects at 13.2 to 13.5 V and disconnects at 12.4 -
12.9 V. I also installed the override switch, which
allows manual coupling of the batteries. Batteries are
connected using battery cable (0 or 2 ga) so I can use
the 2nd battery to assist in starting. This needs to
be done carefully, because it is not fused. 2nd
battery is connected to a fuse block, with a fused
link (60A). From there I run the amp, headset, fridge,
lights, sink pump, etc. Put two voltmeters in the dash
to monitor the whole thing. I just like gauges :-)
Have a good day,
Reinhard, 83 Westy, "Moose"
--- Doug in Calif <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET> wrote:

> Well Volks,
> As I am moving my way around the 87 syncro GL to
> Westy conversion, I have come to the front seat
> swivels and 2nd battery area of the conversion.
> I have decided I am going to install the swivel
> under the drivers side as well even though most of
> you tell me you never turn the drivers seat or set
> up the front table much.
> I figure I need to "have it" so I can also "not use
> it". (grin)
>
> I have come up with a way to bolt the swivels in
> place so I can still pull the whole thing off and
> not have it welded in the way, which brings me to my
> topic.
>
> I am installing a nice 1000 watt inverter I picked
> up at Costco awhile back for $69 It looks like it
> will fit nicely under the drivers seat and I can
> make some large wire connections to the 2nd battery.
>
> These inverters seem to really want good heavy
> connections to the battery to produce decent amounts
> of AC current.
>
> My main question is if you were wiring up the 2nd
> battery from scratch how would you wire it in? I do
> like the simple relay design VW has it seems to work
> well and do the job, no?
>
> I also would like to use a smaller battery than
> stock size, and here's my main question, are there
> any really good small deep cycle batteries that will
> fit into the compartment?
>
> I have seen some nice ones at West Marine for
> sailboats etc that look good but good grief a
> hundred bucks?
>
> I have heard there is a BMW battery that fits into
> the compartment and is smaller.
>
> I have found a fellow here in Sausalito (Arc
> Battery) who provides a deep cycle battery that is
> the exact size of the vanagon battery. Its darn
> heavy though.
>
> What guage wire is used to connect the two batteries
> together?
>
> Doug
>

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