Date:         Thu, 15 Nov 2001 13:55:11 -0800
Reply-To:     mike miller <mwmiller@CWNET.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mike miller <mwmiller@CWNET.COM>
Subject:      Re: Optima deep cycle batt. as starting battery?
Comments: To: "Scott G. Terry" <sgterry@engineering.ucsb.edu>
In-Reply-To:  <p04330101b819d2ce4142@[128.111.74.60]>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

I think you have a place under the drivers seat for the aux battery.  You
should, I think, have the isolation circuit in place so the only?
disadvantage is the bucks.

IIRC

Mike

> From: "Scott G. Terry" <sgterry@ENGINEERING.UCSB.EDU>
> Reply-To: "Scott G. Terry" <sgterry@ENGINEERING.UCSB.EDU>
> Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2001 12:21:59 -0800
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Optima deep cycle batt. as starting battery?
>
> Hi  All,
>
> Here is a question I asked Optima Batteries (www.optimabatteries.com)
> about their D750 deep cycle battery.  I was wondering if any of you
> had anything to add to their response from experience (or technical
> knowledge):
>
> The question I posed:
> I have an '85 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia poptop camper van.  I am
> considering adding an Optima D750 deep cycle battery as an auxillary
> battery to power electrical accessories while camping.  There are a
> few disadvantages of adding an auxillary battery that I'm grappling
> with:
> 1) takes up extra space
> 2) adds weight
> 3) expense (cost of aux. batt. plus about $100 for a solid-state
> batt. isolator compatible with my Bosch alternator.
>
> I noticed that the D750 has a CCA starting capacity of 750 A, well in
> excess of the 400 req. for my Vanagon.  Could I simply replace my
> existing starter battery with the D750 (assumming I could make it
> fit)?  Can the D750 be used as a starter battery without
> significantly degrading its deep cycle capability?
>
> Their response:
> Scott,
>
> Yes, you can use the deep cycle Yellow for a starting battery as long as
> you have other accessories pulling from the battery.  Thank you for your
> continued support and interest in Optima Batteries, a Johnson Controls
> company.
>