Date:         Sun, 8 Jun 2008 00:57:03 -0800
Reply-To:     Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
Subject:      Battery Woes/Choice
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Just finished up the installation of my 40R battery behind the driver seat on Friday night, and had a chance to test it last night.  Running my DC fridge for 14 hours only depleted this battery by 20%-- impressive. My odyssey battery was nearly dead under the same conditions. I am seriously suspecting that I killed the AGM Odyssey by routinely undercharging it, and unlike a standard flooded battery the manufactures of these things actually test them when you return them, so will probably not get a refund. A $200 lesson. FYI, between the Group sizes 41, 42, 48 and 91, the 40R came in with the highest reserve capacity, and happens to be the second smallest of the bunch. The "R" just stands for reverse terminals, not a big deal when you're doing your own wiring.

My thanks to Dennis Haynes and Frank Condelli, who originally suggested a flooded battery/starter battery option.  I ended up purchasing my battery from Sears, as they have a three year, no questions asked return, and then an additional two years beyond that prorated. Wally world only had a two-year warranty. I ended up paying $105 as I did not have a battery for trade in.

It was a lot of work switching all the wires around to make room for this larger battery, but worth it in the end. I may end up installing my odyssey under the rear seat, just to extend the life of the flooded battery, but undecided at this point. I read it would take something like 50 deep discharges before I killed the flooded battery, which will take me a while to do.

Troy