Jason,
You could hook up an auxiliary battery outside the compartment as you
suggest. However, it would be risky using the existing relay.... even for an
optima sized battery, but a larger battery would be even more risky...
dangerous. See my post on Auxiliary batteries, relays, fuses, wire sizes,
etc.
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
-----Original Message-----
From: Jason M. Yasment <vanagon@NYCAP.RR.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, July 01, 1999 3:43 PM
Subject: Aux Battery Idea

>Rather than spending $180.00 for an Optima battery, I had this idea:
>
>1.   From the terminals on the relay beneath the drivers seat run
extensions
>out of the compartment.
>2.   Obtain a boat battery box and whatever size battery you need to run
>your accesories for whatever time you need.
>3.   Whenever you are in need of the deep-cycle you can secure it with
>bungee cords and hook it up.  When you are traveling it will charge from
the
>alternator.  When you are not a simple solar tricle charger should suffice
>in keeping it topped off.
>
>From looking around different FLAPS and bulk discount stores, I estimate
you
>can do this for less than the cost of an Optima and easily have twice the
>capacity.
>
>Jason
>