Zach Woods
New member
The following is archival.
*****
Re: Battery Questions
Hello -
I think I can answer most of your questions - see answers below
after your questions. If I am not confident of my answer I have
marked that in my answer.
I am basing my answers on both experience with my Westfalia and my
understanding of the Westfalia electrical system.
Zach Woods
zwoods@...
--- In sprinter_westfalia@yahoogroups.com:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I'm planning a one-week dry camping (no electric hook-up)
experience
> in the boonies this spring with the Westfalia and want to make
sure
> I understand the battery situation so I don't get stranded. Here's
> my thoughts...are any of these incorrect?
>
> 1) The Westy has 3 batteries total - 1 vehicle battery and 2 coach
> batteries - and all are somehow interconected.
Yes.
> 2) The vehicle alternator, if the Sprinter is running, will charge
> the vehicle battery AND the coach batteries?
Yes.
> 3) The excessive use of the coach batteries will NOT run down the
> vehicle battery...i.e. I will still be able to start the vehicle?
Yes. But keep in mind that some electrical drains are likely
running off the vehicle/ starter battery. I am not 100% certain but
I am pretty confident that the vehicle stereo, the engine pre-heater
(dashboard switch - exhaust located in the right front wheelwell),
and the cigarette lighter outlet in the dashboard will all drain the
vehicle/ starter battery.
> 3)The generator will charge the coach batteries AND the vehicle
> battery?
I am not 100% certain on this but I am reasonably confident that the
generator will charge the coach/ camper AND the vehicle/ starter
batteries. I know that when you plug in to shore power you are
charging both the coach/ camper AND the vehicle/ starter batteries
so it stands to reason that the generator would also be charging all
of the batteries.
> 4)What battery powers the generator starter..vehicle or coach?
I do not know but I would assume the coach/ camper batteries.
> 5)An electric hook-up will charge all 3 batteries (I am pretty
> certain this is correct)?
Yes.
> I just want to make sure that even if I do something stupid (short
> of leaving the vehicle lights on), I will still be able to start
the
> vehicle and/or the generator to recharge.
>
> Does this all sound correct?
See above.
> Thanks for the advice!!
*****
Re: Battery Questions
Hello -
I think I can answer most of your questions - see answers below
after your questions. If I am not confident of my answer I have
marked that in my answer.
I am basing my answers on both experience with my Westfalia and my
understanding of the Westfalia electrical system.
Zach Woods
zwoods@...
--- In sprinter_westfalia@yahoogroups.com:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I'm planning a one-week dry camping (no electric hook-up)
experience
> in the boonies this spring with the Westfalia and want to make
sure
> I understand the battery situation so I don't get stranded. Here's
> my thoughts...are any of these incorrect?
>
> 1) The Westy has 3 batteries total - 1 vehicle battery and 2 coach
> batteries - and all are somehow interconected.
Yes.
> 2) The vehicle alternator, if the Sprinter is running, will charge
> the vehicle battery AND the coach batteries?
Yes.
> 3) The excessive use of the coach batteries will NOT run down the
> vehicle battery...i.e. I will still be able to start the vehicle?
Yes. But keep in mind that some electrical drains are likely
running off the vehicle/ starter battery. I am not 100% certain but
I am pretty confident that the vehicle stereo, the engine pre-heater
(dashboard switch - exhaust located in the right front wheelwell),
and the cigarette lighter outlet in the dashboard will all drain the
vehicle/ starter battery.
> 3)The generator will charge the coach batteries AND the vehicle
> battery?
I am not 100% certain on this but I am reasonably confident that the
generator will charge the coach/ camper AND the vehicle/ starter
batteries. I know that when you plug in to shore power you are
charging both the coach/ camper AND the vehicle/ starter batteries
so it stands to reason that the generator would also be charging all
of the batteries.
> 4)What battery powers the generator starter..vehicle or coach?
I do not know but I would assume the coach/ camper batteries.
> 5)An electric hook-up will charge all 3 batteries (I am pretty
> certain this is correct)?
Yes.
> I just want to make sure that even if I do something stupid (short
> of leaving the vehicle lights on), I will still be able to start
the
> vehicle and/or the generator to recharge.
>
> Does this all sound correct?
See above.
> Thanks for the advice!!