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Dave -

I looked at the Balmar dual battery charger. While
searching for some tech specs on it, I got cross-
eyed trying to count the LEDs. I was almost up to
150, when I saw the switches on top. If they have
LEDs built in, the lamps might total ~170.

They omit details, such as voltage drop through the
device, connection to alternators with internal
regulators, - - & price. They must charge at least
$170 to cover all of those LEDs.

I plan to mount a digital meter under the dash,
wired to each side of the battery combiner relay,
with a center off selector switch. This will make
me happier than 170 lights. I ruled out a
digital voice announcing, "Your batteries are OK"
every minute. OTOH, it could call my cell phone.

One of the reasons I mounted Thule rails on my plastic
roof was to be able to use it to for solar panels.
Panels need a simple isolation diode, which is often
included with a solar controler. This could connect
directly to your coach battery.

My large panels are glass, but my smaller ones use
a 1/8" aluminum panel behind thin film cells, with
a clear protective coat. A small hail storm or an
occasional piece of gravel would cause no problem.
[I just reworded that, after recalling news of
base-ball sized ice a few days ago.] Either type
need to be spaced off of the roof a couple of inches,
for cooling, which the cross struts would provide.

Sometimes I put two 0.6A panels on 1" rubber strips
on the EVC dash. This is not nearly as efficient as
on the roof, but I can park, lock, & not worry. If
I average an Amp for a few hours, it's 'free' energy.
I plug output into one of the 12V sockets. In my
drive, this is simpler than extension cords, Battery
Tender, etc. If I couldn't leave extension cords
connected, & hoods partially open, w/chargers tucked
out of the weather, I'd get more serious with panels.

I keep putting off running a DC extension from my
solar panels on my house to the driveway, but I have
to work out details of a quick-disconnect when I
forget to unplug!

I recently replaced engine batteries in EVC & Passat
with AGM. Eventually I plan to also replace my EVC
house batteries [original, & its K-Mart bargain
'marine' twin] with two AGMs. I hope with an AGM in
front, a slightly higher charge will reach the house
bats. If I hadn't already built the new battery box,
I'd just put in 2 AGMs to fit [in, or in-place-of]
original bat box. I keep waiting for the house bats
to die, but I keep babying them, & they check GREAT!

Jack_son '03 EVC '01 Passat

You are so incredibly awesome! You just solved my problem! Thank you
sooooooooo much! I love my van again! I googled and searched and
couldnt find anything VW was no help at all! Great site didn't even
know it was out there! I can not thank you enough!






--- In ev_update@..., "Carl Henderson" <chendermi@>
wrote:

GoWesty carries retrofit kits to add three-point belts for the
rear-facing Eurovan seats.

Do a product search at www.gowesty.com for "ktemv" and they'll come

up.

Carl

--- In ev_update@..., "Todd and Dana" <ddc_jtc@>

wrote:

Anyone know if I can put shoulder harness seatbelts on the rear

facing

seats in the 2003 EVMV or somehow convert it to having forward

facing

seats with shoulder harness seat belt? My rear bench has 2

shoulder and

one lap and the middle seats face rearward and have lap belts. I

have 3

young kids and am slightly nuerotic about seatbelts. Any

thoughts out

there besides get over the seatbely nuerosis? I love my van and

this

would make it perfect. The only problem I have with it.

This device was just mentioned on the Sprinter list:



How it would fit into the stock EVC charging circuit is another
question... it's always something!

Dave Richoux
On Jun 9, 2008, at 9:59 AM, David Richoux wrote:

I think that batteries (after maybe oils and tires) are the
costliest "expendable" components of our EVCs! Anything we
can (within reason) do to increase their performance,
dependability and service life is worth exploring. If the
stock onboard charging system for the EVC coach battery is
incapable of properly charging a AGM (which is otherwise
probably a better battery for that job) then it is important
that we know about it.

I have to use a electrical medical device every night
(a CPAP) and I need to know my coach battery will work the
way it is supposed to!

I was thinking of replacing my standard wet cell deep cycle
battery (which has been weak lately) with an AGM, but now I am
not sure. I was planning to also put a solar recharging panel
on my pop-top, but I assume I would have to put some sort of
isolating device to the coach battery charger - that whole
circuit is a bit confusing.

If we can have 400+ messages on ATF replacement, then 50 or
so on batteries is not too much ;-)

Dave Richoux 2000 EVC

I think that batteries (after maybe oils and tires) are the costliest
"expendable" components of our EVCs! Anything we can (within reason)
do to increase their performance, dependability and service life is
worth exploring. If the stock onboard charging system for the EVC
coach battery is incapable of properly charging a AGM (which is
otherwise probably a better battery for that job) then it is
important that we know about it.

I have to use a electrical medical device every night (a CPAP) and
I need to know my coach battery will work the way it is supposed to!
I was thinking of replacing my standard wet cell deep cycle battery
(which has been weak lately) with an AGM, but now I am not sure. I
was planning to also put a solar recharging panel on my pop-top, but
I assume I would have to put some sort of isolating device to the
coach battery charger - that whole circuit is a bit confusing.

If we can have 400+ messages on ATF replacement, then 50 or so on
batteries is not too much ;-)

Dave Richoux 2000 EVC

Hello there,

Will that magic, star-shaped transmission adjustment screw fix my
problem?

I am poor and out of anwers. Have a nice day!

T
E
D

I think that batteries (after maybe oils and tires) are the costliest
"expendable" components of our EVCs! Anything we can (within reason)
do to increase their performance, dependability and service life is
worth exploring. If the stock onboard charging system for the EVC
coach battery is incapable of properly charging a AGM (which is
otherwise probably a better battery for that job) then it is
important that we know about it.

I have to use a electrical medical device every night (a CPAP) and
I need to know my coach battery will work the way it is supposed to!
I was thinking of replacing my standard wet cell deep cycle battery
(which has been weak lately) with an AGM, but now I am not sure. I
was planning to also put a solar recharging panel on my pop-top, but
I assume I would have to put some sort of isolating device to the
coach battery charger - that whole circuit is a bit confusing.

If we can have 400+ messages on ATF replacement, then 50 or so on
batteries is not too much ;-)

Dave Richoux 2000 EVC

Garrett

As Pat pointed out if everything on a vehicle of any kind was the very
finest it would take all the gold in Fort Knox, if there's any left, to buy
it! I own a 17 foot Casita travel trailer and battery types and care are a
constant topic on trailer groups too. Most people end up replacing the
standard wet cel battery with another of the same type. The extra cost does
not warrant the better agm battery for most people. But those that do get
them buy expensive shore power converters to keep them charged roperly. Both
can easily cost $400 then some opt for two batteries. There is no perfect
battery!

Let's get back to tires or maybe fuel lines :=}

Joe R


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