Club 80-90 Forums

1.6TD 1991 Vanagon Westfalia.

I tried to run a wire from the leisure battery through an inline fuse then connect to the bottom of the Fuse 3 connector slot hopefully enabling the leisure battery to power items located under fuse 3 (radio, cig lighter and interior lights) and once the leisure battery ran flat take the wire with spade connector out and reconnect the fuse to enable power from the main battery.

1. It did not work any ideas?
2. Do the 3 internal lights in the rear work off the main battery through fuse 3?
3. Is there another fuse box for the Westfalia gear in the rear?

Not sure I'd want to mix the leisure with main fusebox. Why not just fit a small seperate one, say a 6-way. Plenty on ebay.

Hi
I have fitted a ciggie socket by the wardrobe unit of my westie. Took a wire from the fuse block behind the drivers seat and fitted a 3 amp in line fuse so the spur has a lo amp capacity is enough to power dvd player and other small stuff..
mix power sources through a common block like you suggest? I wouldnt do it , it may only be 12 volts and the power from it wouldnt kill you BUT the fire it could easily start could. Treat vehicle electrics with complete respect would be my advice

Andrew

Follow the recognised, tried and tested route:
Link
http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/westy ... ior+lights" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice to have met you at Vanfest
Martin

yeah as martin says that link works well. i have done it to my westy!!

Hi
Just done mine and its really easy (Westy model) with 2 batteries under seats!
Step 1 remove fuse 3 (red one)
Step 2 run a positive feed from leisure battery to the fuse box and attach a standard spade connector to the end (you can put a 10a inline fuse in this wire if you so require)
Step 3 feed the above wire through the fuse box and plug the spade connector into the bottom fuse connection (where the fuse was removed)
Step 4 - Thats it ure done !!!

With the added bonus that if you flat your leisure battery, just pull out the spade connector and replace the 10a fuse and you have power again via the main battery--- Best of both worlds!!!

Ps the above tweek changes the internal lights, radio and ciggie lighter to leisure battery

Darren

t25darren wrote:Hi
Just done mine and its really easy (Westy model) with 2 batteries under seats!
Step 1 remove fuse 3 (red one)
Step 2 run a positive feed from leisure battery to the fuse box and attach a standard spade connector to the end (you can put a 10a inline fuse in this wire if you so require)
Step 3 feed the above wire through the fuse box and plug the spade connector into the bottom fuse connection (where the fuse was removed)
Step 4 - Thats it ure done !!!

With the added bonus that if you flat your leisure battery, just pull out the spade connector and replace the 10a fuse and you have power again via the main battery--- Best of both worlds!!!

Ps the above tweek changes the internal lights, radio and ciggie lighter to leisure battery

Darren

Tried this one, without joy!

Red Westie wrote:Follow the recognised, tried and tested route:
Link
http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/westy ... ior+lights" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice to have met you at Vanfest
Martin

Have you done this mod in your van? Can it be swapped when the leisure battery is flat?

JW1 wrote: Tried this one, without joy!

Sounds like someone has beaten you to it in the "diy" stakes so better start going over everything and putting it back to standard; not what you want to hear, I'm sure, but "previous owners' mods" can be a right pain to put right... Happy Winter

Seriously though, if the last owners have done their own work, the best bet is to go right through it with a fine toothed comb, put everything back how it should be and then at least you know all is good - you can improve from there - Labour of love and all that..

If you get stuck Retford Auto Electrics aren't that far from you and are a good "Old School" type place http://www.retfordautoelectrical.co.uk/ You're welcome to tea & coffee at ours if you take it there.... (or beers and the spare room if it's a long job...) But we're away for the next couple of weeks.....

Andi

andisnewsyncro wrote:

JW1 wrote: Tried this one, without joy!

Sounds like someone has beaten you to it in the "diy" stakes so better start going over everything and putting it back to standard; not what you want to hear, I'm sure, but "previous owners' mods" can be a right pain to put right... Happy Winter

Seriously though, if the last owners have done their own work, the best bet is to go right through it with a fine toothed comb, put everything back how it should be and then at least you know all is good - you can improve from there - Labour of love and all that..

If you get stuck Retford Auto Electrics aren't that far from you and are a good "Old School" type place http://www.retfordautoelectrical.co.uk/ You're welcome to tea & coffee at ours if you take it there.... (or beers and the spare room if it's a long job...) But we're away for the next couple of weeks.....

Andi

Thanks Andi,

WIll investigate the rear of the fuse box shortly. I have used the lights in the rear and also the radio for a good period of time now, however, this was when an electric hook up was connected. I believe that when 230V connected, the main battery receives a charge too hence why it did not run flat? Anyone agree?

JW1 wrote: I believe that when 230V connected, the main battery receives a charge too hence why it did not run flat? Anyone agree?

I think the simple answer again is "it depends"... Some Westys seem to have a charging set up for both batteries and some just charge the leisure battery from the hook up... Nowts ever simple is it

What voltage readings are you getting at each battery and do both or either increase when you plug into 240v ?

andisnewsyncro wrote:

JW1 wrote: I believe that when 230V connected, the main battery receives a charge too hence why it did not run flat? Anyone agree?

I think the simple answer again is "it depends"... Some Westys seem to have a charging set up for both batteries and some just charge the leisure battery from the hook up... Nowts ever simple is it

What voltage readings are you getting at each battery and do both or either increase when you plug into 240v ?

Will get my hands on a voltage reading thingie and let you know.

1. What voltage I get at main when radio lights etc switched on at both main and leisure. No hook up
2. What voltage I get at main when radio lights etc switched on at both main and leisure. Hook up

Watch this space.