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Date:         Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:22:53 -0400
Reply-To:     Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Costco Group 47 - cheap aux battery option
Comments: To: "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

The driver's seat will slide off of the tracks without having to pivot it first.........

Mike B.

----- Original Message ----- From: "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 8:10 AM Subject: Costco Group 47 - cheap aux battery option

> After my Group 42 Aux battery died, I went on the hunt for a cheap > replacement. Since I store my Westy in the winter, and do not do extended > camp outs in rustic sites, I was looking for a low cost battery, with a > good > warranty. > > As you may know, if your battery is run down, and not recharged soon, a > cell > failure is very possible. I had a mishap with my inverter, not thinking > anything of it, I didn't realize it blew the fuse for the back-up battery. > The battery ran down, and would not take a charge. So, I pulled the > drivers > seat out, removed the battery and had it tested. Sure enough it was dead. > only a little over a year old. I read a lot of the threads and battery > debates on the list, and questioned a few local experts on dual battery > set-ups. > > > > My main battery is still running strong, a group 41 Eveready. I measured > the space under the Driver's seat, and discovered that I could probably > squeeze a group 41 in there, with a relocation of the dual battery relay. > As I was advised that "matching batteries" is the optimal solution for > dual > battery set ups. However, since my main battery was still good, and a few > years old, I know that a "perfect match" was not possible since new vs. > old > will likely carry different voltage characteristics. And not to spend a > fortune, I began seeking out alternatives. Sighting that in my personal > situation, that if I had a 36 month full warranty, I would have simply > exchanged the battery. My local "Battery Plus" store carried an 18 month > warranty, and the batteries that fit ranged from $75 to $85. So I > measured > the space under the Driver's seat at 11" x 7" x 7" and began a search for > a > battery which would fit (with recessed posts). Costco has a Group 47 > battery, which is almost the exact same size as the Group 42 I pulled out. > Leaving plenty of room for the relay, and having the optional venting > system > as well. The battery sells for $49 and carries a 36 month full > replacement, > and 100 month pro-rated warranty. Best of all, the CA are 735, with CCA > of > 590. about 30% better than the group 42 I pulled out. > > > > Just a note on aux battery removal / installation. The Driver's seat > needs > to be removed, and is a somewhat simple task. First, pivot the seat 90 > degrees, with the back of the seat towards the passenger side. Put the > arm > rest down, so it fits under the steering wheel, and then slide the seat as > far forward as it will go. When facing the seat, look to the lower right > by > the track, and you will see a release lever, which when depressed, will > permit the seat to slide the rest of the way off the track. Now move the > base to a full 180 degrees, and you now have full access to the aux > battery > area. By the way, before you reinstall the seat, now is a good time to > clean and lubricate the tracks. > > > > Jack R. > > 84 Westy Wolfie > > Bloomfield MI. >


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