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

[BayCreamPuff]

[DONGKG]

Question: can the alternator with 55 amps properly ccharge the two batteries epically the main battery? Thanks in advance.
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'67 KG Cabrio (Mickey) ;
'66 Type 3 (Sharky 2)
'72 Type 2 Homey
'67 Splitty Bus
'65 beetle;'69 Country Buggy; '44 Kubelwagen (replica) TOOB MEMBER #20

[DONGKG]

Honestly, I have been thinking of installing an aux battery that can be used during camping without however draining the main battery when staring the engine. Your explanations makes it look like installing the same is just like a walk in the park. And I appreciate that you share your insights on this. Again, thanks for the very important info!

Dong
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'67 KG Cabrio (Mickey) ;
'66 Type 3 (Sharky 2)
'72 Type 2 Homey
'67 Splitty Bus
'65 beetle;'69 Country Buggy; '44 Kubelwagen (replica) TOOB MEMBER #20

[xfrench]

Hi, my apologies if I should be starting a new thread, but I want to ask questions based on what's been said here so far, and ask for some input…

I have a 76 transporter, and I want to add an RV battery for aux/camping use. It's not a westfalia, so I don't have a shore input (although theoretically I'd like one). I've been basically convinced to follow Aeromech's advice as posted in multiple threads, namely to get the Blue Sea Addabatt 7610, with the Maxi fuse, and the 12 fuse box with negative bus installed up front. I think I'm also supposed to add inline fuses at ea positive terminal, and I think there's another thing I'm currently forgetting (not a pun).

There are two things that are causing me to not order the above items until I get feedback:

WhirledTraveler has advocated for the more expensive magnetic ACR, I guess so he can use a solar charger (I'd like that option, but money is an issue and I live in Seattle). Is the difference a big deal or can I overcome the solar input issue and the over-time drain buy using Aeromech's $5 relay addition?
I want to convert the interior to a Japanese-style tea room, with room for two people to sit, and I can serve tea (and have music, and run a laptop and the like). I have a Japanese tea kettle, and have bought a Samlex pure sine wave inverter http://samlexamerica.com/products/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=505 (this has been an ongoing ambition for some time and it takes forever to come up with this kind of money, but anyway). I recently bought the Samlex install kit, which consists of cable, and a 300a MRBF Terminal Fuse block https://www.bluesea.com/products/5191/MRBF_Terminal_Fuse_Block_-_30_to_300A (I suspect the kit cost more than the parts, but I try to follow a recipe).

DO I hook up the inverter to the Aux battery and at the same time on the same terminals hook up the AddaBatt and the Aux wiring scheme as above, as if they were disinterested in each other? Or do I somehow have to connect the inverter into the AddaBatt sequence? For that matter, if I want to add a shore power plug, do I need a separate power converter and or is that a third connection to the terminals (WhirledTraveler mentioned this, and I am interested in recommendations)? If I do that am I complicating my other agenda, namely making hot water?
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'76 Transporter 2L F.I.
"Simon (TZV)"

[WhirledTraveller]

[DHMaher]

I've been reading through multiple posts but can't seem to find a definitive answer to my simple question. Which deep cycle battery (make/size) is recommended for an aux battery? What are you using? The common answer I keep seeing is "get the biggest that will fit." Was hoping not to have to "try on" batteries. Thanks so much!
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Daniel
"POs, you gotta love them, because killing them is illegal." -Unknown Samba Member
1967 Beetle - Java Green
See my ads

[LivinInnaVWBus]

Alright, guys. I finally got it wired up (minus the fuse box). I didn't use anything overly interesting for my own, just what I had laying around other than the solenoid. Would you guys mind hopping over to the link below to check the wiring is correct?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7851573&highlight=#7851573

My bus is simply a test subject, aesthetics are not a consideration. If anyone wants a full, pre-made kit, I could come up with something really nice using a USA made Cole Hersee insulated solenoid, USA made 8 & 10g wire, genuine VW 3-way and cloth shrink wrapped. Let me know if there is interest.

[Tcash]

[grandpa pete]

Boat supply stores have marine circuit breakers
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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[LivinInnaVWBus]

[Tcash]

[BusPriest]

Should fuse panels be fused? I realize that sounds redundant.... That's why I ask.
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1977 Champagne Transporter Custom Camper.
SOHC EJ25, tubbed, wagenswest
Work in progress build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619684
Not a Priest.

[telford dorr]

[Tcash]

This one is insulated.
http://www.colehersee.com/home/item/cat/169/24117/

Tcash

[BusPriest]

I got this off amazon the other day
PAC-80 80-Amp Relay Battery Isolator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EAWS6O/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_k.BWvbC6V8RX4
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EAWS6O/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_k.BWvbC6V8RX4

Instructions say to link two batteries together on main terminals. 12v constant on small and ground on other small. Going to use 4 gauge wire and add 2 audio fused, one between each battery and post. Hopefully this is the correct way?
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1977 Champagne Transporter Custom Camper.
SOHC EJ25, tubbed, wagenswest
Work in progress build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619684
Not a Priest.

[telford dorr]

I'd be inclined to use something like this for connecting batteries together, rather than a Bosch cube relay.
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'71 panel, now with FI
'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones
In theory, theory works in practice; in practice, it doesn't - William T. Harbaugh
When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. The pain is only felt by others.
Same thing happens when you're stupid. - Philippe Geluck
More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST)

[LivinInnaVWBus]

Excellentttttttt! Thank you Sir!
I'll get supplies on order.

[Tcash]

[LivinInnaVWBus]

[Gregg in the 603]

Website says out of stock. That seems to be happening a lot with German Supply. Any other sources?
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1979 Mexico Beige Westy auto
Dirty Dover, NH