Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:37:25 -0400
Reply-To: Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Subject: Re: Battery choices
In-Reply-To: <989ea5a20906272219t2c025af2u1b2b6c6de6003da8@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hi TJ,
Are you new here? Optima batteries are a very contentious topic on this
list; and the archives have plenty of technical discussion about them.
A quick search for messages with optima as subject and warranty in the
body got me 61 hits, going back as far as 2003.
But I gotta ask this: If you NEVER have to worry about them, why did you
have to replace one under warranty? By your own experience I see 12%
premature failure rate. Considering the places some people take their
campers, a battery failure could be a very serious issue.
Happy Trails,
Greg Potts
1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
www.busesofthecorn.com
www.pottsfamily.ca
TJ Hemrick wrote:
> All,
> I realize that this thread is as quick to ignite into a flame contest as
> "which oil" or the ever popular "what tire to run" but I'm surprised no one
> mentioned the Optima battery line for this guy. In fact, I'm shocked anyone
> would ever use a standard lead acid battery especially in a REAL Volkswagen
> (ones that keep the battery in the car away from engine heat). Regardless
> of the fact I get a good discount at a military base for an Optima battery,
> they have have great warranties, huge CCA numbers, you can mount them any
> way you want, and they DON'T leak! Yes, I would pay more at the local FLAPS
> if I had to. I realize some of you Westy guys have some issues with the
> space under your seats, hey, sorry, you'll have to figure that one out. I
> heard they fit if you place the post forward and on top. I can't speak for
> the folks with seats that swivel. I suspect you might have some problems
> but again, you'll have to work that one. I've run Optima reds in my Porsche
> (86 - 911) other VW's (Jetta diesel) and the Vanagons (2-GL's and 1-
> syncro). The Vanagon's got the Yellow deep cycle in addition to the red
> starting battery. No matter what the temperature or compression, those
> batteries pack some punch. In fact, when replacing one under warranty, I
> ordered a special one (no charge upgrade) with the poles reversed to fit in
> my 911. They're smaller, better, and I NEVER worry if the battery will be
> an issue. They're worth EVERY penny. Yeah, that's 8 batteries and about
> $1000 (not all at once!) but I'll never go back to standard batteries. Just
> my ,02..
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "JAIME E FORERO" <jforero@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 8:08 PM
> Subject: Battery
>
>> Folks, I need to buy a battery for my 91 vanagon. The one I am replacing
>> is a unit from NTB and based on its performance I would rather not buy
>> another one from NTB. Any good experiences with batteries out there??
>> Cheers
>> Jaime
>> 91 vanagon, Houston
>
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