Date:         Fri, 16 Nov 2001 08:07:27 -0800
Reply-To:     mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Optima deep cycle batt. as starting battery?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

You don't mention the year and model Vanagon you have but they all start
with the same size compartment under the front seats. Where they vary is
in the added obstructions that limit or make more difficult the access
to that space. You can put a 41 in there as that is what they were made
for.

If you have a driver's side seat swivel you can remove the seat and then
the 4 nuts holding the swivel assembly. This allows you to lift out the
swivel assembly and gain better access to the battery compartment.

Some models also have a relay and/or wires that must be repositioned to
get the group 41 battery in under the driver's seat.

The Westy Weekenders with a poptop often came with an aux battery
already installed under the driver's seat. This was hooked up to run a
cigarette lighter outlet between the front seats under the passenger
seat. It was installed to provide a way to run the portable 12 volt
fridge that these models came with. I'm sure Chris Turner can provide
the years that this setup was available. The ones I have seen had the
standard group 41 battery in this location.

I have installed numerous aux batteries under the front seats of various
years of Vanagon. I always use group 41. I usually put the new battery
in the main battery position and use the older one for the aux.

Deep cycles have their advantages and disadvantages. If you have some
special need that requires you to frequently run the aux battery way
down then a deep cycle may be better for you.  Most people just want to
camp and have lights, music, fans, etc, without worrying about being
able to start the engine when it is time to leave. A simple dual group
41 installation has all of the advantages for this IMHO. Long deep cycle
battery life is dependent upon proper use and charging techniques. Most
people want to camp and enjoy their Vanagons without becoming battery
maintenance experts.

Mark

Jay L Snyder wrote:
>
> I don't know about your particular Vanagon, but a group 41 will not fit
> under my driver's seat compartment.  I could not even find a garden tractor
> or motorcycle battery that would fit, and I certainly didn't want to start
> cutting up the box.  I put the second group 41 under the back seat.  The
> weekender's are different?
>
>                                                    Jay
>