Adding a second battery..how to...with photos FAQ

[russwiththebus]

Very clean, I like that!

[Daverham]

Has anyone used the Bus Depot "Leisure Battery Kit"?

http://www.busdepot.com/j15328

I know they have just the relay, but the kit has the battery terminals and all that. Great. Specifically I'm mostly wondering how long that positive battery cable is. Is it long enough to go from the starter battery all the way over to the left side of the engine bay? Or from the alternator to the left side of the bay? Or does anyone just have a measurement? I couldn't find that info on Bus Depot. I would assume that they made it "long enough" but I don't assume that they intend to put the house battery in the same place I do. For all I know, it's "supposed" to go inside, under the back seat or something. But I'd like to put mine on the left side, opposite the starter battery.

Thoughts?

If that cable isn't long enough, I'll just get the relay (below) and source cables and fuses from my FLAPS.

http://www.busdepot.com/1738

[OG Velvet]

[MikeyM73]

Hey all,

Reviving this old thread for a min... what great info. Quick question - what would be a suitable gauge wire to run from the 2nd battery up to an aux fuse box? The one I'm thinking of using has 6 circuits, much like the Blue Sea unit. I would run USB chargers, a few LED lights, maybe driving and an extra reverse light for better visibility. I read this article https://knowhow.napaonline.com/know-how-notes-automotive-wiring-guide/ and was thinking that a 2 gauge wire would be too big and 10 gauge too small. Is that accurate? I suppose it depends on the total current draw and distance but the bus only has a 55 amp alternator and I can't see more than maybe 20-30 amps coming from all the extra junk I'd like to install.

Thanks,
Mikey
_________________
'73 Pop-top Westy, found sitting in a field for 10+ years, cleaned up, rebuilt furniture, reloved. Original 1.7 block/fully polished crank, 93mm 1.8L balanced AA pistons & cylinders, new 1.8L balanced rods, HAM 42/36 heads, Scat C25 cam & lubalobe lifters, Dual HPMX40s, R2C filters w/ Outerwears pre-filters, functioning thermostat & flaps, Pertronix Flamethrower III, 4-1 exhaust w/ Cherry Bomb 2" turbo muffler & OEM heater boxes, averages about 19-22ish on the highway.

[BUSBOSS]

Hi Mike. I have a Blu Sea set up and used 4 Guage for that run. I have the 12 slot fuse box (6 switched and 6 constant). I have not had any problems.Good luck!
_________________
All the redemption I can offer, girl, is beneath this dirty hood
1976 Westfalia
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible (sold - but not forgotten)

[MikeyM73]

Thanks BB... did you run a separate 4 ga ground wire, as well?
_________________
'73 Pop-top Westy, found sitting in a field for 10+ years, cleaned up, rebuilt furniture, reloved. Original 1.7 block/fully polished crank, 93mm 1.8L balanced AA pistons & cylinders, new 1.8L balanced rods, HAM 42/36 heads, Scat C25 cam & lubalobe lifters, Dual HPMX40s, R2C filters w/ Outerwears pre-filters, functioning thermostat & flaps, Pertronix Flamethrower III, 4-1 exhaust w/ Cherry Bomb 2" turbo muffler & OEM heater boxes, averages about 19-22ish on the highway.

[BUSBOSS]

[MikeyM73]

Cool, thanks. So - aux battery - one negative cable run up to the aux fuse box along with the positive and another ground cable to the body in the engine bay.

Got it,

Thanks.
_________________
'73 Pop-top Westy, found sitting in a field for 10+ years, cleaned up, rebuilt furniture, reloved. Original 1.7 block/fully polished crank, 93mm 1.8L balanced AA pistons & cylinders, new 1.8L balanced rods, HAM 42/36 heads, Scat C25 cam & lubalobe lifters, Dual HPMX40s, R2C filters w/ Outerwears pre-filters, functioning thermostat & flaps, Pertronix Flamethrower III, 4-1 exhaust w/ Cherry Bomb 2" turbo muffler & OEM heater boxes, averages about 19-22ish on the highway.

[BUSBOSS]

[MikeyM73]

Awesome. Thank you!

Mikey
_________________
'73 Pop-top Westy, found sitting in a field for 10+ years, cleaned up, rebuilt furniture, reloved. Original 1.7 block/fully polished crank, 93mm 1.8L balanced AA pistons & cylinders, new 1.8L balanced rods, HAM 42/36 heads, Scat C25 cam & lubalobe lifters, Dual HPMX40s, R2C filters w/ Outerwears pre-filters, functioning thermostat & flaps, Pertronix Flamethrower III, 4-1 exhaust w/ Cherry Bomb 2" turbo muffler & OEM heater boxes, averages about 19-22ish on the highway.