I'm curious why the PO would wire it this way.

Patti.

When you say the "ignition" worked, do you mean the oil etc. lights on
the dash came on? Likely you do.

I guess anythings possible given what some PO's do to their Vanagons,
so, it's possible there's an isolator relay present that is wired
incorrectly. IIRC, there is a relay that can switch power to 2
different loads. i.e. when switched "on" power goes to A. Switched
"off" power goes to B.

(see image at bottom of this page):

http://www.classictruckshop.com/clubs/earlyburbs/projects/bosch/relay.htm

If one incorrectly installed this type (for aux battery application)
when it's "off", it could carry power from starter battery to aux
battery + post.

Regardless.....

IMHO, you'd be better off with an isolator device of some kind between
the two batteries. I installed a relay (inexpensive part) between my
house and aux. battery. Works for me!

Neil.

On Sat, Aug 30, 2008 at 9:40 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>If everything is still working including the ignition circuits
> with the chassis battery disconnected tells me that the two batteries are
> simply wired in parallel.

>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> PB
> Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 3:02 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Aux. Battery Works! Yay!
>
> I was just about to have my auxiliary battery wired to power the interior
> lights, fridge, and stereo when hubby told me to test it by disconnecting
> the main battery.  What a great surprise to see everything working,
> including the ignition - with the + battery cable disconnected!