If you had ever had an MGB or a Triumph Spitfire you would likely have first
hand knowledge that when you short out the main battery feed, the insulation
melts, then catches on fire, which lights all the other combustibles in the
dash! Then your lights stop working, though the motor may keep going.
British Leyland wiring was pretty special.
Seeya, Jake
----- Original Message -----
From: "Loren Busch" <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2005 8:58 PM
Subject: Re: Optima Battery safety question

RE: Dash Fire
Dusty, you wrote...the fire was traced
back to the aux. battery shorting out due to the cover sitting on the
posts without a post-guard.
Can you explain this?  I'm having trouble figuring a fire in/under the
dash because the hot post on the aux battery shorted to ground.