Auxillary Battery material sources

[rbhoward]

I have done lots of searches and have found lots of information, photos, and pictures of adding an auxillary battery to my 68 bus. I have decided to get the German Supply aux relay kit. I have it now.

I also know that i need a deep cycle battery for the aux side. Don't have it yet.

I am planning to run it through a secondary fuse box, then also connect a inverter to a 110 GFCI outlet. I would also like to connect a cigarette lighter connection by the outlet and potentially a meter to check the aux, and starter battery levels.

Here is the catch. I don't know locally where to get all the rest of the hardware. Here is my questions:

-Invertor (can find this) but don't know what wattage and peak wattage to get.

-Secondary fuse box - where to get and don't know what amp fuses to run in it
-GFCI outlet (can this be one from Home Depot intended for home use or does it have to be something special say for RV use)

-cigarette lighter (where can i find this that would mount on front of westy bed panel)

-meter for batteries with toggle switch between them both (where to find it)

- wiring between all (Sure I can find this easy enough but my electrical knowledge is minimal. I don't know what guage wire to use to handle the current properly)

-Deep cycle battery (I know a RV or Marine battery is what is needed but should I look for something special)

I am going to run the normal stuff off it. DVD player for the kids, computer from time to time, wire in a light for the back, eventually connect the radio to the Aux Battery. So no full size refrigerators, welders, or anything crazy. Just the useful stuff when camping.

If anyone can give me suggestions on items or sources it would be so greatly appreciated. I want to get it all and do it right the first time.

Thanks,

[WestyPop]

rbhoward wrote: "...-Invertor (can find this) but don't know what wattage and peak wattage to get."

http://www.surepower.com/ Lots of good info @ the site. Great quality!

Ask their tech assistance line which unit for our VW hook-up? 105 Amps should be plenty for stock alternator system.
_________________
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
______________________________________
J.R.
68 Westy
(+ others)

[mad.macs]

[aeromech]

Hey Rb,
I'm in San Diego too and would be happy to help you. I can get you in touch with one of my local customers so you can see how I did this job to his 1971 bus. Please feel free to send me a PM. I think I've done the aux battery install twice and I'm getting ready to do it a third time this month to a 1968 bus.

_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Dead 1]

For your inverter questions go here. 1200 watts seems to be the size that works for most but it all depends.

http://www.donrowe.com/
_________________
"I reject your reality and replace it with my own"

"The American Dream - true enough because you gotta be asleep to believe it"
________________________________________
71, 1776 cc.

[aeromech]

See this tech article for more info: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servle...attery.htm
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[aeromech]

See this tech article about inverters: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/Inverters.htm
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Bleyseng]

[aeromech]

[Krautski]

What you see is a Perko marine battery (300A, I think) main switch to switch the house battery into the car battery charging circuit.

Also, a marine control panel with 3 switches which I use for interior and exterior LED lighting, a 12v DC out which provides either direct or power to the inverter, and a volt gauge. That way I control the charging based on the volt gauge, and the electrical system isn't always burdened with two batteries.

What you don't see is a marine deep cycle under that side bench, with flex conduit protecting all the wiring to the engine and control panel. On the back of the control panel, protective wireways keep all the wiring isolated from cargo.

Couldn't put the battery in the back, since that's where the Eberspaecher lives.
_________________
BUS FOR SALE

[KBark15]

I just got the german supply relay and wire kit in the mail. Im giong to attempt to install it along with a second battery in my '73 this weekend. My lack of mechanical knowlege brought me two questions which will show how little I know.

First question.. Where do I run the SI wire to? the start key switch or starter solenoid? If so which is easier.. and what are they... a picture would be helpful.. thats how little I know. I thought other relays talked about running the wire to the alternator.

Second question. Do i run a short ground wire to a frame bolt near the second battery just like grounding anything else?

Any help is greatly appriciated!

[pb24ss]

[jamesdagg]

The isolator relay needs to be triggered by the blue wire to from the alternator to the dash alt warning light. It can be connected at a T connector near the regulator.

This only connects the two batteries after the engine is started which is very important if you completely run down the auxiliary battery.

I went all 12 volt appliances rather than using an inverter. Inverters lose as much as 10 % power and often the 120 volt item, like a TV, actually has a step down transformer inside that goes back to 12 volts or so. Another loss.

I picked up a 32 amp, regulated power supply with built in automatic battery charger at a wreckers from a '90's trailer and transplanted it. I used an old Beetle fuse box and a couple of relays to automate it all. Even a buzzer that prevents driving away plugged in.

I still have the one 120 volt outlet for the odd item that won't work well on 12 volts. High heat devices. Found a nice 12 volt mattress warmer that is very low currant draw. Comes in odd sizes for RV's too.

If you are cheap like me, PM me and I'll walk you through this kind of setup. You should be able to find a power supply at a wreckers. I had several to chose from including a '90's Vanagon Westy that burned. The one in the trailer had a much better auto charger though.

jim
_________________
'72 FI Westy
'71 Super rear inside defrost vents no longer available

[WhirledTraveller]

There are many, many different ways to skin this cat.

Try to go simple if you're not really into wiring and electronics.

The german supply relay kit is good and should be installed per the directions that come with it.

You DO NOT normally need a GFCI outlet with an inverter for RV applications. A regular outlet is fine. There is no significant danger, and a GFCI may or may not work with your particular inverter, particularly if it is a cheap non-marine unit. Best to just avoid the whole complication.

Do not over-buy on the inverter. Larger inverters are not necessarily better. You can get cheap units up to about 400-800 watts just about anywhere (Autozone, Wal-Mart etc) and they will work fine for your application. Larger inverters require more space, more cooling, larger cables, larger fuses, and will give you only a few minutes at full load until your battery is depleted. Pointless. 400 watts will run most small TV's, dvd players, computers, etc.

For wiring the inverter, use the wire gauge recommended by the inverter manufacturer. Again, if you use a large inverter it will need big cables and those are not cheap.

A cigarette lighter can be bought at any auto parts store. I would use 12 gauge wire to the cigarette lighter. 14 gauge is probably OK though. Voltmeters and such can use very thin (high gauge) wire, 18 gauge is common and cheap.

Make sure everything is fused! This is important! You can use a secondary fuse box but it might just be easier to use in-line fuses and be done with it. Again simple may be better... although not necessarily as clean-looking. Buy inline fuse holders at any auto-parts store. Your inverter will have built-in fuses but if you are locating it a significant distance from the battery (routing the power wires through frame rails etc) then you will want a large fuse close to the battery to protect against shorts in the cable.

For a voltmeter, consider something like this:

link

It's free if you buy a battery minder, which is good to have anyway.
_________________
1977 Westy, Automatic. Big Valve heads, CS Cam.

[prairie_vw]

anyone have any recomendations for an online store for supplies?.....I'm mostly interested in buying good quality wire for my dual battery install....thanks
_________________
1978 Champagne Edition
1977 Westy
#12, C, Bay Window forum hockey team

[prairie_vw]

[aeromech]

Try a marine supply like West Marine
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[pittwagen]

Where abouts are you in Sask., prairie_vw? You should be able to get all the wiring etc. from Princess Auto. Canadian Tire also has what you need, although Princess Auto has better prices with sales etc.

I have used these products for years on a variety of camper wiring projects and have had no issues.

What exactly do you have planned - battery/location, charging etc.?

I am about to get started with the camper wiring on my 79 conversion - adding a second battery, power converter and 110 volt breaker box etc. I have the original 12 volt Westfalia fridge which is a bit of a power hog so maybe even a solar panel and charge controller to be able to lengthen the camper battery charge.