Many inverters will have a capacitor on the input and yes they can hold a
charge for a few minutes.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
neil n
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 10:57 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Weird, Funny, Electrical and Brake Light Switch Connector Failure;
Questions and Pics

Hi all.

For a while now, when working on dash, I assumed S8 fuse would blow due to
an exposed portion of X and 56 spade connector(s) on headlight switch
shorting to dash metal when removing cluster. In hindsight, likely not
possible, but I popped the connectors out and taped them up. Today the fuse
blew again jostling a + wire to radio. Huh? So I disconnect both batteries.
Then, I see 7.x volts at the back of S7 Huh? (S7 used for stock interior
lights, cig plug, stereo/, rear 12 outlet via aux. battery). Thought "well
maybe there's some kind of lithium battery in the stereo powering back?".
Nope. All that's left is the inverter. With meter connected to S7, as I held
the inverter button down, the voltage would slowly drop. Before realizing
this, it was driving me batty! This can't be possible! Both batteries are
disconnected!   ;)

Is that normal for an inverter? Hold a charge after battery disconnected?

Weird.

Questions:

spade connector 82a on front brake light switch failed (pic): *
http://tinyurl.com/3d5unt3 *  It had fallen out of front brake switch plug,
randomly shorting to ground blowing S8.

I see some green on this male spade. Could errant brake fluid corrode it
causing failure? Or, does this part typically heat up eventually failing?
This looks like it may be heat damage: *http://tinyurl.com/3ooqvl9**  *The
rear brake light switch plug shows similar wear; *http://tinyurl.com/3zarg7p
*These are where the yellow/red wire from S8 connect.
*
*
My Canadian '81 Westy has the brake warning light wired as per P 97.37; the
diesel. Is that normal for Vanagons sold in the Canadian market?

Thanks,

Neil.

--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engine
s