Just a battery - what an adventure!  Here's my update.  I charged the
battery completely disconnected from the van.  This morning it was
registering around 10v, which indicates "bad battery,"  so we went to Pep
Boys to get a new one. They tested the old one and their equipment also
indicated it was bad.  It became a little confusing to me because the new
one was about 1 1/2 inches wider than the old one, plus the terminal was
different. We kept the old terminal adapter, and had no choice other than to
try the new battery.  A battery specialty store might have had a smaller
battery, but I prefer to deal with Pep Boys for stuff like that since there
are Pep Boys stores no matter where you go.

Luckily, the new battery came with a handle, and fit right into the cavity
without any problem.  However, the positive terminal adapter (the flat piece
with a hole in it that bolts to the cable) sticks out a little, and I'm a
little worried it might touch the metal.  I feel like I need to wedge some
insulating material into the space between the adapter and the side of the
metal cavity, but I'm not sure of what I could safely use.

The new battery works just fine, but will check it on the voltmeter
tomorrow.  I definitely won't be going anywhere - not even around the block
until I'm confident the battery situation is stable.  I also lost (major
nuisance) one of the 4 little clips that receive the screws that secure the
metal cover onto the battery box, and will be looking for some new ones.

As for the stereo equipment - I'm innocent!  I didn't put it there!  I have
a receipt from Best Buy, so I'll probably go there to ask a few questions
about downsizing the system.  I also just noticed that the aux battery
doesn't fit in the cavity properly - it's too high and the compartment won't
close.  Can someone please let me know which aux battery fits?

I'd also like to ask the length and width of the small table - the one that
attaches up front.  I think I can make one out of scrap countertop material
instead of paying nearly $100 for one.

Once again, thanks!
Patti
*******************************
On 4/29/07, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> 1.3 amps can be a power door lock issue or an interior light.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> >From: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
> >Reply-To: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: Re: Battery dead AGAIN!!!!
> >Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2007 20:06:49 -0700
> >
> >I really appreciate all of your help.  I wouldn't know what to do on my
> >own.  I charged the battery and hooked up the voltmeter.  There's a 1.3 A
> >draw on the battery.  It was too dark to go further and start pulling
> >fuses,
> >but I'll do that tomorrow.
> >
> >I guess things like this just happen all of a sudden.  As I said, it
> worked
> >perfectly for 10 days, and it came out perfect on a pre-purchase
> mechanical
> >checkup on April 14.  About 2 days ago I had turned on the stereo with
> the
> >motor off for about 10 minutes.  The dead battery occurred the next day,
> so
> >I would think it has something to do with that.   The stereo has a 6 cd
> >changer, and a giant amp and woofer that take up the whole underseat
> >compartment in the back.  I'll be checking into downsizing the sound
> system
> >because I would really like to have some, if not all of my storage space
> >back.  I don't know how much the stereo is pulling from the battery.  I
> >guess I'll have to look up the specs.  Tomorrow I'll pull the stereo fuse
> >first.
> >Patti
> >***********************
> >On 4/28/07, Jack <john.cook58@verizon.net> wrote:
> >>
> >>Patti,
> >>
> >>6 amps is a safe charge rate for a Vanagon starting battery, the one
> under
> >>the
> >>passenger seat.  If the auxiliary battery is roughly the same physical
> >>size,
> >>then 6 amps should be ok for it also.  Keep the windows open or cracked
> a
> >>bit
> >>during charging.
> >>
> >>I haven't been following the thread closely but I think Dennis did warn
> >>you
> >>that deep discharging of starting type batteries will eventually damage
> >>them.
> >>Consider disconnecting the negative terminal (black or smaller of the
> two)
> >>of
> >>each battery when you aren't using the vehicle and until you get to the
> >>bottom
> >>of the problem.  (Disconnecting either terminal will work but there's
> less
> >>chance of an accidental short with a wrench with the negative terminal.)
> >>
> >>If you aren't comfortable working around batteries, try to get someone
> to
> >>help
> >>until you are.  Or just be very careful with wrenches & stuff.  Shorting
> a
> >>battery with a wrench is not a pleasant experience - at best.  Feel free
> >>to ask
> >>more questions.  There is nothing about Vanagon electrics that can't be
> >>answered by the experts on this list.
> >>
> >>//Jack
> >>
> >>
> >>Date sent:              Sat, 28 Apr 2007 21:09:15 -0400
> >>From:                   Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
> >>Subject:                Re: Battery dead AGAIN!!!!
> >>To:                     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>Send reply to:          Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
> >>
> >> > If "excessive" current is applied to a lead acid battery, the
> >> > electrolyte (sulfuric acid) will bubble. What's actually occurring is
> >> > that the extra electricity is splitting the water portion of the acid
> >> > into hydrogen and oxygen. Since most batteries are "sealed" it isn't
> >> > easy to add water back to replace that which has been split (and the
> >> > vapor vented.) Hence, you can consider this "harmful" to the battery.
> >> >
> >> > If enough of the water is converted to vapor (and hence lost) the
> >> > lead plates are exposed. Lead can oxidize pretty easily, and lead
> >> > oxide can act as an insulator, reducing the capacity and
> >> > effectiveness of the battery.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On Apr 28, 2007, at 7:07 PM, PB wrote:
> >> >
> >> > > Matt,
> >> > > Thanks very much for instructions that even I can understand!  I'm
> >> > > charging
> >> > > the battery on 2 amps now and will let you know how the test goes.
> >> > > (I'm
> >> > > using 2 amps because somehow I think that 6 amps would be harmful.
> >> > > Is that
> >> > > right, or can I use 6 amps?)
> >> > > Patti
> >>
>
>
>