Good point, Jim. That's why I bought two while I was there!   I like what
you are saying about the heavy duty relay, though. What kind of store
carries them?

Jake
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Arnott" <jrasite@EONI.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2005 8:15 PM
Subject: Re: NO Relay, what to do?

> Some would argue that the stock relay worked for 231k and the
> replacement *should* last another 231k. I would argue that when it
> fails, with my luck, it'll fail closed and I'll be 100 miles back in
> the boonies with two dead batteries. I've been running this type of
> relay for... thirty-five years... <sigh> and never had to replace one.
> I've replaced tens of lighting relays (on lighting systems) in the same
> period of time. Bosch, Cibie, Marchal, generic... doesn't seem to make
> any difference.
>
> Jim
>
> BTW, here's a GREAT link on the subject:
> <http://www.tmcowners.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=3557> The only
> recommended change is to pick your trigger voltage off the alternator
> field wire rather than the ignition circuit. (Replace "boat" with VW.)
>
>
> On Friday, July 8, 2005, at 07:32 PM, Jake de Villiers wrote:
>
> > Not to mention I just replaced the dead OEM relay in my 231,000 mile
> > Weekender with a $4.59 unit from Bow Wow that looks just like what I
> > took
> > out, except for the date on it.  Am I going to have trouble?
> >
>