The Vanagon Dictionary
Get to know your Volkswagen.
Look up Vanagon, EuroVan and Volkswagen Bus terms, then follow the definitions to their sources.
About the Dictionary and its data
Definitions and source records come from the shared Dictionary, which remains available at dictionary.vanagon.com.
API and data detailsResults for “BATTERY”
34 public entries · page 1 of 2
BATTERY
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Device for storing electrical energy
- battery
- electrical
Battery mounting
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
System for securing the battery in place
- battery
- mounting
Dual/Aux Battery
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A secondary battery installation in a vehicle
- battery
- electrical
Battery cable
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A cable that connects the battery to the vehicle's electrical system
- battery
- cable
- electrical
Active battery isolator
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A device that actively manages the charging and discharging of multiple battery banks
- electrical
- batteries
- isolator
Battery bank
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A group of batteries connected together
- batteries
- configuration
ground cable
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
cable connecting battery to vehicle chassis
- battery
- electrical
Deep Cycle Battery
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A battery designed for repeated, prolonged discharge and recharge, rather than chiefly for the brief high current used to start an engine. In camper discussions this distinction helps explain a leisure battery’s role. “Deep-cycle” is a duty description, not permission to drain any battery completely; chemistry and manufacturer limits still matter.
- battery
- type
Camper 12-volt battery
VW Bus and camper partsEnglish · source definition
The 12-volt battery supply used for camper electrical loads such as interior lighting, the water pump, and controls on the documented Vanagon Westfalia. Whether a particular vehicle has a separate auxiliary battery depends on its model and later modifications.
- camper
- electrical
- battery
maintenance free battery
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A lead-acid battery sold as requiring reduced routine servicing, often with no user access for checking or topping up individual cells. The name does not mean that charge, terminals and overall condition need no attention. Gerry’s 1995 FAQ discusses this older automotive usage; it does not describe every modern sealed battery.
- battery
- design
electrolyte
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
In the lead-acid batteries discussed in Gerry’s battery FAQ, the liquid mixture of sulfuric acid and water in contact with the plates. Its density changes with charge state. This meaning is specific to that battery chemistry; it is not a generic name for every camper battery’s contents.
- battery
- chemistry
Parasitic load
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
An electrical load that continues drawing battery current when the vehicle is switched off. Gerry’s FAQ mentions clocks and other key-off equipment: some draw is intentional, while excessive draw reduces parked starting reserve. Camper appliances deliberately powered from a leisure battery should be distinguished from an unexplained starter-battery drain.
- battery
- load
State-of-charge
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
An estimate of how much charge remains in a battery, commonly expressed as a percentage of full charge. It differs from battery health: a worn battery can be fully charged yet store little usable energy. The voltage and electrolyte-density table in Gerry’s 1995 FAQ concerns lead-acid batteries, not a universal camper-battery gauge.
- batteries
- maintenance
Tapered current charger
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A charger whose delivered current decreases as charging progresses. In Gerry’s lead-acid battery FAQ this contrasts with a constant-current charger. The term describes charging behaviour, not a guarantee of automatic shut-off or compatibility with a particular camper battery chemistry.
- battery
- charger
Sulfated
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Describes a lead-acid battery affected by persistent lead-sulfate deposits on its plates. Gerry’s FAQ associates this condition with prolonged discharged storage and reduced serviceability. This is different from corrosion visible on external terminals, and the label alone does not establish that a battery can be restored.
- battery
- condition
Electrolyte level
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
The height of the liquid electrolyte relative to the plates in a serviceable flooded lead-acid battery. It describes liquid quantity, not state of charge or specific gravity. Gerry’s battery FAQ discusses accessible cells; this term must not be read as an instruction to open a sealed battery.
- batteries
- maintenance
Deep discharge
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Discharging a battery to a low state of charge. It does not necessarily mean zero charge or zero terminal voltage. In the lead-acid context of Gerry’s FAQ, repeated deep discharge can shorten useful life. A “deep-cycle” label does not remove the battery manufacturer’s discharge limits.
- battery
- discharge
Amp-hours
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Unit of measurement for battery capacity
- batteries
- capacity
engine-starting
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Battery type for starting vehicle engines
- batteries
- vehicle
deep-cycle
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Battery type for frequent discharge and recharge
- batteries
- camper
Equalization charge
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A process to balance battery cell voltages
- batteries
- maintenance
Specific gravity
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
The ratio of a liquid’s density to that of water. In the flooded lead-acid battery context of Gerry’s FAQ, electrolyte specific gravity helps estimate charge and compare cells. It is different from electrolyte level; temperature and battery design affect interpretation. It is not a measurement for a sealed lithium camper battery.
- batteries
- specific
- gravity
Self-discharge
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
The loss of charge in a battery over time
- batteries
- storage
Depth of discharge
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
The percentage of battery capacity used before recharging
- batteries
- lifespan