Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2005 12:36:25 -0800
Reply-To: Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: premature battery death or just not enough use? Flat spot on
starter?
In-Reply-To: <LFEAJJHMNCOGAFHMOJCLEEPICBAA.ScotiaWesty@adelphia.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Speaking from over 20 years experience with the Interstate Brand, this is
what I have to say:
The crop of Interstate batteries produced within the past 8 years have seen
their quality drop tremendously. My latest Interstate battery died about 5
years ago with a shorted cell, having only been installed for roughly 18
months. I switched it out to a year-old Autozone (Exide) (Group 42) from a
friend's (parked at the time) Bug. This battery continues to go very strong
after 6 years of use and PLENTY of "parked" time (remember, I live in my
Westy full-time).
When I had a walk-in store 20 years ago I sold and used Interstate
batteries with little or no problems - I loved 'em. Then, they were a
quality product. Not so in this day and age. I've encountered various VW
owners over the past several years who have tried and were unhappy with the
longevity (actually lack thereof,) of their Interstate battery, Groups 41 or
42.
--
Jim Thompson
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
oldvolkshome@gmail.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
**********************************
On 10/31/05, ScotiaWesty <ScotiaWesty@adelphia.net> wrote:
>
> Hey List:
>
> I'm starting to get a bit suspicious about my electrical system. Do
> Vanagon's eat up batteries faster than other vehicles? I put a new battery
> in the van this spring - proper type MT 41 Interstate. Went to take the
> family for a drive today and the van would not turn over. I hate this
> because it also frigs up the VW stereo where you've got to put the code
> back
> in, etc.
>
> Anyhow, admittedly, the van does not get much driving time - about once or
> twice a month. But I cannot see why a brand new battery would be sucked
> dry
> so fast. Is it just not being used enough? Is my clock sucking down the
> battery that much?
>
> I also want to know about the starter. My van has always hesitated for a
> fraction of a second when turning over unless the battery is charged up
> 110%. Is this called a flat spot on the starter? The hesitation of course
> gets more pronounced as the battery winds down and I think the combination
> makes the van even harder to start with a battery less than 100%. As an
> aside, we really don't put any domestic load on this battery.
>
> OK. I am sifting through the archive on this but your thoughts would be
> most appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan
>
> 1986 Westy
> Colorado
>
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