The tinkering of the alternator that i mention involves disconnecting
(bending away) a copper brush from the regulator part and connecting this,
via a 12g wire to a specific isolator terminal.
-M

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark McCulley [SMTP:transporter99@HOTMAIL.COM]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 1999 10:29 AM
> To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject:      Re: Aux battery & isolator
>
> Matthew,
>
> Battery isolators (solid state and relay) require a connection to the
> alternator to supply the charging current to the battery when the
> vehicle is running. Most Vanagon installations get this connection from
> the main battery compartment rather than run another big wire back to
> the alternator.
>
> There is another connection used by isolators that can come from the
> alternator--a signal indicating that the alternator is producing power.
> This signal is used to "switch" the isolator between the "isolated" and
> "non-isolated" states. This connection is also available inside the
> Vanagon and you don't usually have to run a wire to the alternator for
> this.
>
> Exactly what kind of "alternator tinkering" is required to install your
> isolator
>
> Mark McCulley
> 87 syncro Westfalia
> TRNSPTR
>
>
>
>
> >Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 09:48:58 -0800
> >Reply-To:     "Pollard, Matthew" <Matthew.Pollard@OREADCA.COM>
> >From:         "Pollard, Matthew" <Matthew.Pollard@OREADCA.COM>
> >Subject:      Aux battery & isolator
> >To:           vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >
> >I have a SurePower battery isolator. It is of the solid state (as
> opposed to
> >relay) variety. It is made for vanagons specifically.  Has anybody had
> any
> >experience with installing these jobbies? The instructions call for
> some
> >alternator tinkering, why? Can some one explain what the internal
> regulator
> >does and why that function needs to be routed to the isolator.  Will
> this
> >tinkering jeopardize the integrity and reliability of my alternator?
> >
> >How does the VW isolator work? Where is it connected and to what? Is
> this
> >something that someone with some electrical background can quickly
> fashion ?
> >
> >Thanks
> >Matthew Pollard
> >84 Wolfsy
> >89 7' 6" Doug Haut "gun"
> >
>
>
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