harald_nancy wrote:

> Mitch,
> With the isolator setup, there is no other way but to run another
> wire from the isolator to the aux. battery.
> I guess that is the reason most use a relay.
> The relay:
> If I would use a relay I would still run a # 6 ga. wire from
> the main batt. to the aux. batt. with a marine 40 amp. relay
> or something like that.
> The VW relay:
> I am probably going to get flamed for this, but I believe the factory
> relay under the front seat that most westies have is designed
> by VW to only power the refrigerator 12 volt heating element.
> There is a possibility that, if one is using that to also charge a
> second battery, that the relay or the wiring could be damaged.
> It is fuse protected, but still....
> That setup works for a lot of people, but it is good to at least
> keep an eye on it. Imho.
> Back to the isolator.
> The isolator is kind of neat, because both batteries are always
> isolated. It does not matter if they are being charged or discharged.
> One battery could be totally dead and the other strong, it would not
> matter.
> On the setup I am using, the deep cycle battery is under the drivers
> seat,
> and I
> mounted the isolator in the engine compartment behind the right
> rear wheel well. In that space by the rear light, and the air intake.
> The isolator should be mounted as close as possible to the alternator.
>
> To run a # 6 ga. wire from there to the left front batt. box was not
> all that  difficult.
> I ran the wire inside some clear vinyl hose that I got
> from the local hardware store, as added insurance against chaffing.
> There are lots of places under the van that one can fasten the
> vinyl tube to with cable ties.
> Some tips for wiring:
> Have lots of cable ties handy.
> Use rubber grommets when routing through a bulkhead etc
> Install a small fuse panel for the accessories you run from the
> aux. battery.
> Route critical wires in conduits (like clear vinyl hose) under
> the van.
> Buy a small block of electricians putty for sealing off openings,
> protecting exposed contacts from moisture, etc. That stuff
> has hundreds of uses around a vanagon.
> Invest in a strong crimping tool. They sell some better ones
> in the electrical section in the hardware stores.
> When routing wires, give them some extra slack.
> And of course, there are many different ways to do anything.
> Have fun.
> Harald
> 90 westy
>
> Mitch wrote:
> > I'm installing a second battery in my 84 Westy and would like to
> > do it right the first time.
> > My question is where is the best place to install the isolator so
> > that I don't have to run another wire up to the extra battery from
> the
> > isolator (if it were mounted in the engine compartment) is there
> another
> > place?
> >
> > Any help would be greatly appreciated   Mitchell 84 westy
> > mmiller@neteze.com

   Thanks Harald & Nancy I think this will get me through the
installation.

Mitchell 84 Westy