Well no wonder I've had so many problems.

Thanks

On 7/24/06, dhaynes@optonline.net <dhaynes@optonline.net> wrote:
> 340 watts is a about a 28 amp draw. Way to much for the Optima for any lenght of time. Batteries should be sized for a 5 hour discharge to 80% DOD, (depth of discharge), minumum. The Optima is rated at ~ 55 A/H to 100% DOD. You really need 3 to do the job. 2 will do for short time periods.
>
> Dennis
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Brian McCartney <monoscope@GMAIL.COM>
> Date: Monday, July 24, 2006 1:14 pm
> Subject: Re: Trickle Charger (follow up 182 Amps)
>
> > 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.
> > >
> >
>