The alternator wires actually feed the fuse box.  So do the the battery
wires.  You'll have to separate there.  I would use a relay as an isolator
has about a 1.2 volt drop across it.  As the VW alternator only puts out
13.8 volts, this drop will keep the batteries from properly charging.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Karl F. Bloss <bloss@ENTER.NET>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, August 01, 1998 11:33 AM
Subject: battery cables

I'm still trying to figure out which wire comes directly from the
alternator to the battery.

I disconnected the smallish red wires connected to a single loop
screwed into the battery connector.  I hooked up a continuity meter
to the loop and the top connector on the alternator: beeps.  I also
noticed that my clock no longer functioned, so one of these two wires
must go to the fuse panel.  So I guess I'll snip one of the wires and
try again for continuity.

Anyone done this?  Bentley is not much help.  The purpose is to hook
up an isolator or charging relay.

BTW, y'all that have charging relays, what circuit do you hook it to
for charging the aux battery?  The ignition switch?  Wouldn't that
allow a discharged aux battery to suck a charging battery dry if you
stop the key at "run" rather than going directly to "start?"

Sorry for the electrical newbie questions.

-Karl

Karl and Kristina Bloss, Trexlertown, PA
'87 GL Weekender  "Beverley"
VW shop list: http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/vwshops