I'm curious if you had problems with the Surepower isolator�
�I've got one and an optima that's always been a little bit of a pain
in the ass.
The Surepower isolator was recommended to me by an electrical guy as I
run a pretty big amp (340w) off the spare battery.

On 7/24/06, Loren Busch <starwagen@gmail.com> wrote:
>  RE: Aux Batteries
> I've stayed out of the various recent battery threads because I don't have
> anything to contribute beyond what was being said.  But Dennis just made a
> good point that I want to second based on my experience over the last 10+
> years, first with an '85 Westy with a Surepower isolator and the last four
> plus years with a '90 Westy and the basic relay setup.  I've only used a
> stock Group 41 lead acid starting battery for the aux battery from day one.
> Simple reasons:  ease of install and cheap.  I went through 2 1/2 batteries
> in ten years in the '85, one so far (replaced the battery that came with) on
> the '90.  For the price of a Group 41 at Costco (no longer carrried in my
> local store) or at Wallyworld I can go through three or four batteries
> before I meet the cost of an Optima yellow top and don't have the hassle of
> mounting the Optima.  I play the stereo a couple of hours a day, run a
> laptop an hour a day or so (process pictures and watching the news on TV)
> and have gone to all LED bulbs internally (stock lighting plus three other
> lights I've added).  I just came in last night from six days and nights
> parked without starting the Westy and when I packed up to leave there was
> still plenty of juice left in the aux battery when I checked the meter I've
> installed just to see.
> So if you are a little miserly with the electric usage the cheapest and
> easiest way to go is the stock Group 41 starter battery under the drivers
> seat.  KISS
>
> Footnote:  If I were fulltimeing or doing a lot of extended camping I'd pick
> up a little Honda generator, fill my spare gas can, fire up, plug in, sit
> back and relax.
>