---- Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:

>   another interesting and odd thing learned is there is a conventional 12
> volt car size battery in the right rear corner of the car  that is just used
> to run the dash and the 'normal' eectrical stuff ...and if that battery
> wears out or fails, the car will crank on the starter from it's propulsion
> batteries  but not fire up.

Actually, the small battery is more motorcycle sized than car sized.  I did not know the engine would turn over from the propulsion batteries.  My owner's book simply says the vehicle will not engage in the "ready" (meaning ready for driving) mode if the small battery fails.  My Prius now has 81K miles.  Only regular maintenance service, no failures of any kind, including batteries, either propulsion or starter.
>
> Vanagon content ? ..this is so we can start visuaalizing and planning on
> making  plug-in hybrid vanagons that get 45 mpg, or more.
>
> ( Prius ain't got no soul though, no spunk/charisma,  if you ask me though.
> But vanagons sure do !  )

Soul?  I guess vehicular soul is like human soul, it's in the eye of the observer.  Spunk?  Well, a Vanagon isn't known for acceleration, or other "performance" qualities.  Charisma?  Depends on what attracts one, I'd say.

mcneely