Mike,
The North Alabama VW Association Huntsville) has merged its “Bug’n in July” show into the Cullman Octoberfest (sic). An informant said they were just “wore out” doing the “Bug’n in July” though I found it to be a well-run and nicely planned little show (about 150 cars). I think it conflicts with Nashville’s local Oktoberfest weekend – where they often invite some of us old German car people to exhibit. But I’m not sure. Bert From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Morehouse Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2015 10:50 AM To: VintagVW Subject: Re: [vintagvw] Battery Drain on 72 Bug Bert, I like the external switch idea as it is a royal pain in the a** to get the seat up when I need to recharge the battery if I haven't driven it for a while. Hopefully I can hunt down the drain. I actually thought of putting a small female plug in the heelboard connected to the battery so i could plug a small battery tender in without having to remove the rear seat but I like your idea better. Does your switch switch the hot or the ground cable from the battery? i would think the hot would be the one to switch? I live in opelika which is on I-85 between Montgomery and Atlanta about 60 miles east of Montgomery. i haven't been to a VW show for a while. Had one in Montgomery for a while but not sure if they still do or not. Went to another up in Leeds, AL east of Birmingham years ago as well. If you do get down this way please let me know. Mike On Wed, Mar 25, 2015 at 10:33 AM, Bert Knupp <[email protected]> wrote: Mike, In my ’70 I have a basic battery ground shutoff switch mounted through the heelboard in front of the battery that I turn off whenever my car will be sitting undriven for over a week or two. The basic switches have red plastic handles that can be removed when the switch is off. You need to buy some longer ground cables but it’s an easy job, and the inconspicuous little switch isn’t ugly (but you need to punch a 5/8” hole through that original heelboard). There’s one at <http://www.boatmania.com/electrical/battery-accessories/battery-disconnect-switch.html> http://www.boatmania.com/electrical/battery-accessories/battery-disconnect-switch.html but many places carry them. All the testing ideas you (and others) mention are good. It has to be leaking juice somewhere. Happy hunting! Bert Knupp in Music City P.S.: Mike, where do you live? I’m thinking of an Alabama show this year; enjoyed the NAVWA “Bug’n in July” in 2014. Any recommendations? From: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] [mailto: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Morehouse Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2015 9:47 AM To: VintagVW Subject: [vintagvw] Battery Drain on 72 Bug Good morning. I have stock 72 bug with about 110,000 miles on it. Depending on weather I don't drive it a lot - maybe once-twice a week. Battery is not that old. Going through records to see when I bought it. Problem is battery drains down maybe within a week of driving it last so that it won't start. Checked to make sure that I haven't left any lights on like interior light and such. Next thought was to disconnect battery ground from chassis under rear seat and put an ammeter in series and see if I have any current flowing to anything even with ignition switch off. Would that be best diagnostic to run? Next check would be to remove battery and have it load tested at parts store. Any other thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike in alabama -- -- Visit the VintagVW archives at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "VintagVW - Air Cooled Volkswagen Discussion List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/vintagvw. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- Visit the VintagVW archives at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "VintagVW - Air Cooled Volkswagen Discussion List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/vintagvw. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- Visit the VintagVW archives at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "VintagVW - Air Cooled Volkswagen Discussion List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/vintagvw. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
