All:

Thank you for the suggestions regarding the rapid depletion of the new
battery in the van.  I am in the middle of trouble shooting it and in the
meantime I put my trickle charger on it.  Surprisingly, I found the +ve
connection at the post had slacked off quite a bit, so I tightened it right
up - that's not good for starting.

So, along this line of thought I'd like to describe something else going on
with the van that may be related to the battery prob.  When I start the van
cold, the battery light (alt. light) comes on with ignition and stays on
after start.  It stays on until I goose the gas pedal a bit.  Then it goes
out.  I drive off, the van warms up and every start thereafter the alt light
pops off as soon as the engine starts.  This has been going on for about two
years and has not caused me any grief (or has it....).  I have thought all
along that it was a sticky electrical relay.  Now I think differently - I'm
thinking sticky alternator or something.  Thoughts?

Dan

1986 Westy

Just past 80 000km (50 000 m) this summer.