Batteries are like tires, they loose capacity over time. Keep them
topped up and they will work a lot better. If your van sits for more
than a week at a time, I would suggest a solar charger (if parked
outdoors in the sun) or a GOOD automatic trickle charger plugged in
continuously while garaged. I hardwired a Guest charger to the battery
and plugged  it into the AC socket under the sink. Works great. There
are dual-battery chargers used mostly for marine applications that will
keep 2 different battery banks charged for those with aux. batteries.
Also, check the electrolyte level and add distilled water if the level
is below the indicator tab. I find having a hydrometer and a load
tester on hand is a good thing to have in the shop to do a more
thorough test of the battery.

On the other hand, you may have a tired starter which may get worse
when the battery is in a state of slight discharge.

Keith O
84 Westy "Brownie" Solar Charged Camper FOR SALE!
90 Westy Syncro

On Oct 31, 2005, at 1:32 PM, Automatic digest processor wrote:

>
> Date:    Mon, 31 Oct 2005 12:19:53 -0700
> From:    ScotiaWesty <ScotiaWesty@ADELPHIA.NET>
> Subject: premature battery death or just not enough use?  Flat spot on
> starter?
>
> Hey List:
>
> I'm starting to get a bit suspicious about my electrical system.  Do
> Vanagon's eat up batteries faster than other vehicles?  I put a new
> battery
> in the van this spring - proper type  MT 41 Interstate.  Went to take
> the
> family for a drive today and the van would not turn over.  I hate this
> because it also frigs up the VW stereo where you've got to put the
> code back
> in, etc.
>
> Anyhow, admittedly, the van does not get much driving time - about
> once or
> twice a month.  But I cannot see why a brand new battery would be
> sucked dry
> so fast.  Is it just not being used enough?  Is my clock sucking down
> the
> battery that much?
>
> I also want to know about the starter.  My van has always hesitated
> for a
> fraction of a second when turning over unless the battery is charged up
> 110%.  Is this called a flat spot on the starter?  The hesitation of
> course
> gets more pronounced as the battery winds down and I think the
> combination
> makes the van even harder to start with a battery less than 100%.  As
> an
> aside, we really don't put any domestic load on this battery.
>
> OK.  I am sifting through the archive on this but your thoughts would
> be
> most appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan
>
> 1986 Westy
> Colorado
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date:    Mon, 31 Oct 2005 14:42:39 EST
> From:    Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
> Subject: Re: premature battery death or just not enough use?  Flat
> spot on
>          starter?
>
> In a message dated 10/31/2005 11:27:21 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> ScotiaWesty@ADELPHIA.NET writes:
>
>>> OK.  I am sifting through the archive on this but your  thoughts
>>> would be
>>> most appreciated.
>
>
>
>
>
> I'm wondering if the fridge cooling fan could be a culprit. As I
> understand
> it the electric fridge fan to cool the coils comes on when it reaches a
> certain  temperature inside the bus. This is whether the fridge is on
> or not.
>
> So if the bus is in a spot where it might get hot inside--I dunno when
> the
> fan comes on, is it as low as 75 degrees F-- wouldn't that fan be
> cycling on
> everyday draining the battery?
>
> This is just a theory, since I have a similar problem with battery
> life in
> my not-too-often-used Westy. Would it be worth while to pull the fuses
> that
> supply electric to the kitchen if the bus is going to be idle for time?
>
> Also I suppose we're dealing with a lot of wire to and from the
> battery to
> starter to ignition switch and age on that length of wire could
> explain the
> flat spot/delay.(?) Also my guess is aged wire might also not help
> the battery
> get up to a full charge from the Alt. to the battery.
>
> I'm just throwing out ideas. But I'm curious to see what you all have
> come
> up with.
>
> Best,
> Jeff
> 83.5 Westy
> LA,CA