At 09:06 AM 10/8/98 , David Katsuki wrote:
>Bill,
>
>Actually mine does have the factory relay (called battery cutout relay on
>the wiring diagram), and it is almost as you describe, except that the
>factory relay doesn't turn on when the ignition switch is turned on, but
>rather when the alternator is putting out current (it connects to a
>separate terminal on the alternator ("D+") which produces juice only when
>the alternator is spinning fast enough.  That terminal is also conected to
>the alternator warning light on the dash.)
>
Early Westies don't have the relay under the seat.  They have a very similar
relay mounted rather inconveniently atop the refrigerator.  The same
alternator-
running-hot wire goes there on the early ones, so it is easy to wire up this
arrangement.

All that said, my '80 westy uses a stock diode splitter.  Voltage is a little
low, and while it works for me, I'd vote on the other system -- especially
since the proper wires are already near the proper places.

>I have also heard that the diode isolators have too great a voltage drop to
>be used in VW systems, but in a previous thread, someone on the list also
>said that he had used them with no problems.   I only have experience with
>the relay isolator, but I could easily imagine that the regulator might
>have problems with an additional ~.6v-.8v drop in series.
>

It was mentioned that Hella makes diode/regulators for the alternators with
higher output.  That would be nice.

Malcolm