TheSamba.com :: View topic - How do I add a 2nd battory to my 88 Westy?

Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:36 pm

I looked under the driver's seat and the compartment is empty with the exception of some configuration of wires in the top right of the box. What do I need besides another battory to hook it up?

What's with the electrical 110 outlet near the base of the bench seat - outisde of the cabinet ? I am guessing I need to buy an inverter and hook it up to it.

thanks

Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:53 pm

im about to do the same thing. if you search there is a ton of info 8)

Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:53 pm

Call Go Westy, or go to the web site! Either way, if you want an aux batt Go Westy has a kit that makes install really easy. Sure, it would probably cost less to assemble the parts on your own, but the Go Westy kit is EASY! Well worth the money to me.... Oh, and the outlet near the bench is AC--only works when you are plugged in.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:14 pm

Is there any reason that the fridge relay that should be there under the seat can't double as a 2nd battery relay? The way it is set up in the stock configuration with only one battery, it allows the fridge to operate only when the engine is running. The relay has four terminals- 85 to ground, 86 is the trigger wire from the alternator, 30 is the battery, and 87 goes to the fridge. With the van off, there is no power routed to terminal 87. The blue wire from the alternator is live once the engine has revved to turn out the warning light on the dash. This then triggers the relay to connect terminals 30 and 87, giving power to the fridge.

You have two options to use this relay for a second battery- presumably you want the second battery to power things when the vehicle is off, and to charge when the vehicle is running. If you want to run the fridge from this second battery, do this: (just remember that it draws a lot of current, and a battery that will fit under the seat won't last long to power the fridge.) You would just connect a wire from the relay terminal 87 to the positive post of the second battery, and the wire from the fridge to the same battery terminal. Connect any other load that you want to the same terminal of the second battery, and ground the load to a suitable ground. That way, the fridge and other loads will get their power from the second battery, and the battery will be charging when the vehicle is on. If you don't want to have the fridge connected to the second battery, get a spade terminal "splitter" from radio shack and connect the fridge and your new wire now going to the new batt, to terminal 87. Sometimes these relays have a double 87 terminal, so you wouldn't have to get the new spade terminal.

Now, I'm no electronics expert, so if someone more knowledgeable has some corrections, please chime in.

Of course, don't forget to add an inline fuse appropriate for whatever wire you're using for your load. I think the stock relay is rated for 30 amps, so you also want to make sure your total load connected through it is not more than that.

Good luck,

Ed in CT

Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:39 pm

good stuff, thx erdonline and all

Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:35 am

Here are a few threads I used to get ideas for mine, as well as one I created from my project.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=246921
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2397894
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=238616
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=244620
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=114923
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=244500

Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:08 am

There are tons of posts on doing this. Use the search; then read. You will find your answer and then some!