These vehicles were not equipped with a second battery when new.  Most of us can only speak to how they perform as campers in their current state, since most of us did not own ours when they were new.  I guess some on the list had a new one at some point.  But they perform admirably as campers now, without a second battery.  I have toyed with the idea of installing a second battery.  However, when camping, I'm mostly doing camping things, most of which (all of which?) do not need electrical power.  I rarely use the light in the van when camping, using flashlights and a couple of led lamps that use 1.5 volt cells.  I don't run the refrigerator on battery in camp, as I can go a couple of weeks continuously on propane.  I do use the sink, and so draw some power for the pump, but that is really trivial.  What's the auxiliary battery for, given my use pattern.  I suppose some want to watch television, play video games, use a computer and so on.  For me, I want to be in the creek, on the trail, reading, birdwatching ........... and a myriad other outdoor activities.

The van performs admirably as a camper for me, without a second battery.

DMc

---- Mark Hineline <hineline@OCOTILLOFIELD.NET> wrote: 
> There are so many permutations (and problems) with providing auxiliary
> power that I wondered how Westies were equipped when they left the
> dealer's lot, and how they performed as campers when new (and
> presumably fitted with only one battery).
> 
> Mark

--
David McNeely