> Are you sure the 2nd alternator is for 24V?  I have
> imported and owed a few dual alternator T3s and they were all 12V - just
> two separate systems one for the regular stuff and one for the military
> stuff like radios and the like.  This way one could run the radio
> batteries flat and start the van.

I can't speak to the VW side of this, but I do know that absolutely
NOTHING in the military vehicle accessory world runs on 12v. All of
it, be it US or Canadian military, Bundeswehr, or from another NATO
signatory country, runs on 24v.  If you have/had a miolitary vehicle
pushing 12v to the aux system, it's been modified.
It's likely that VW did the same thing GM did with the the M1009 CUCV
(mil-spec Chevy Blazer), which is run dual 12v alternators in series,
with one operating the vehicle systems and BOTH in series charging the
24v aux batteries and powering the radio accessories.
--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Lastwagen"
'90 Vanagon GL - "Wiesel"