Date:         Mon, 19 Nov 2001 15:42:00 -0800
Reply-To:     developtrust <developtrust@HOME.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         developtrust <developtrust@HOME.COM>
Subject:      Accessing battery box behind driver seat--So easy,
              now that I knwo how
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

After gleaning bits of information from at least 5 or 6 of you NOW I can see
how easy it is to get at that battery box behind the driver seat.

I was educated as a research scientist to focus on what we know as "the law
of parsimony" that is, reduce it all to the most simple.

Here is what I think is the simple details to allow anyone to get to the
battery box alone without help and without 3 or 4 hands.

1. Slide the driver seat forward then tilt the top back as far as it will
go.
2. Slide it all the way forward until the little spring clip on the left
side of the track reaches its limit.
3. Put a flat screwdriver or other flat device under the spring latch to
hold it up.
4. Slowly and gently slide the seat forward until it is off the track and
put it on the ground and lean it against the van (if you don't lean the seat
on the van it will fall onto its back on the dirty ground.)
(*Why slowly? If you hit the plastic steering wheel cover you will break
it.)
5. Rotate the swivel 180 degrees and open the battery compartment. Voila!

There is plenty of room in there for an optima battery. More than enough
length.

My recommendations is to place a piece of wood or plywood in the space on
the floor of the battery box between the battery and the box wall to keep it
from shifting and hitting the relay switch, and tie the battery down.

One will still need to figure out a creative solution for the top posts
which  extend above the 7 inch height limit. My preference is to cut 2 large
holes in the metal cover above the posts. Do it neatly with one of those
electrician's hole cutters you can get at any hardware store. Then under the
carpet cover ( or under the metal cover) lay a piece of heavy rubber or
other insulating material or make some kind of post cover to fit the hole
nicely.

Or make a custom cover.

I think I might still keep my battery under the sink. Maybe because I am
already invested in that solution but also I don't have to spend more time
cutting holes, or inventing a cover solution for the posts.

I am really amazed that VW did not just cut a notch in the swivel base  the
length of the battery box and deep enough to expose it all. Then one would
not have to take the seat out. I guess the man hours for a new swivel base
which would not be identical to the passenger side is cost prohibitive. I
guess we can do it ourselves. I do not see how cutting a 12 inch by 2 inch
notch will compromise the strength or integrity of the swivel base.

If one wants to also use the swivel to turn around or have a snack with the
driver snack table the swivel will interfere with the battery posts. Has
anyone solved this problem?

My under the sink solution eliminates a lot of problems. I have photos of it
now as my digital camera came back today. Send your email address if you
want to see them.

William