Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 09:57:27 -0700
Reply-To: Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Electric: Where should +12V to camping fusebox and relay
originate?
In-Reply-To: <1394548412.90447.YahooMailNeo@web140106.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
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Sorry. I made assumptions. (one being fuse panel type. Thanks Scott)
30 buss is the DC circuit in the Vanagon that receives constant
battery power or power from alternator while engine running. 30 buss
is also known as "B+" or "Battery +" as shown in relevant Bentley
camper diagram.
So. On a Vanagon Westfalia, if wiring has not been changed, DC powered
camping appliances take + from the 30 circuit. Exception: on DC mode,
the fridge runs only when the engine is running so it takes power from
the alternator.
I had my Dometic wired so I could run it in DC mode, engine off. This
worked for me but yes. One had to be careful not to leave it on too
long, engine off.
If it were me....
I'd disconnect all batteries, solar power, then start checking wire
continuity between the end of each wire in the battery aux. box and
where I suspected the other end of the wire terminated.
The DC + power wire to camping appliances should terminate at the 30
buss in fuse panel. 30 buss in the fuse panel is located at what some
call the "backside" of the fuses. This power is NOT fused. The
backside of some fuses use a solid piece of brass or red jumper wire
to "hard wire" the backside of one fuse to the backside of another.
The fuse is basically irrelevant in this case as this is simply an
extension of the 30 buss from location to another. I'll take a picture
of an '85 fuse box and post it. ......
Some quick pictures of an '85 and early '80's Vanagon fuse panel. Hope
that helps.
https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/VanagonFusePanel
I know it's a challenge to learn how to read the Bentley diagrams but
it's needed if you're going to do this kind of work. :)
Neil.
On 3/11/14, Poppie Jagersand <poppie.jagersand@yahoo.ca> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sunday, March 9, 2014 4:25:39 PM, Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
>> In the OEM configuration, + power to the camper appliances/lights
>> should connect to the 30 buss. (B+)
>
> I looked behind the main fuse panel, but could not find any numbers. (It is
> the older ceramic style fuses)
>
> I'm guessing that it is one of the 4 or so thicker red wires in the middle.
> (Connection number 7 and 8 counted from the drivers side door).
>
> Is there a good overview post or web page of the relays and fuses do? (I
> find the detailed diagrams in Bentley to be confusing)
>
> ..... This means the fridge stays on also
> when the motor is off. Perhaps convenient for short stops, but unfortunate
> if one forgets to turn it off for the night.
>
> .... I could try to move
> the cabin light, but don;t know how easy it would be to find its wire. Still
> would not be much reason for the aux batt.
--
Neil n
Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca
'88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p
'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
Vanagon VAG *Gas* inline-VR Engine Swap Group:
http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej
