Date:         Sat, 24 Sep 2011 10:47:32 -0400
Reply-To:     Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: proper battery fit
Comments: To: mcneely4@COX.NET
In-Reply-To:  <20110924100218.4QPKB.1845249.imail@eastrmwml35>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8"; reply-type=original

AFAIK, the battery boxes are all the same.  Keep the battery you have and
wrestle the hold-down clamp into place.  I had to partly lower the batt with
the handle (or buy a handle!) while holding the clamp against the side of
the batt, then lower them both into the box.  The clamp bolts up high, so
it's not too tough to install once the batt's in place.  As someone said,
make sure the positive post has the plastic cover in place (orient the
wiring terminal so it'll cover it properly), add a neoprene mousepad on top
and screw down the steel lid.  I can't go anywhere, if you install it with
proper care, patience and attention to details.  Hope this helps.

Mike B.

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Mcneely
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2011 10:02 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: proper battery fit

So, I just called the vendor (Pep Boys) and asked if I could return the
battery, exchange it for a 42, despite maybe a scratch or two from fitting
it into the box repeatedly, trying to get it to fit.  Answer was, "sure, we
will exchange it."  You're saying that would not make it any easier to get
the clamp in place?  If true, then I would be giving up amps without any
useability gain.  I am really uncomfortable not having a battery locked down
in case of an accident.  Others seem fine with that, but somehow, I imagine
a battery getting loose and wreaking havoc.  Maybe I am just overly
concerned.

Is the battery box bigger on non-campers?  Otherwise, why would it be just
the campers where it is hard to get the clamp in place?

mcneely

---- Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> The water cooled Vanagons came with Group 41 batteries. Same dimensions as
> 42 except length. Still tough to get that clamp in place on the campers.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Dave Mcneely
> Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 10:43 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: proper battery fit
>
> So, the original from factory was a group 42.  This is the first battery I
> have bought for the vehicle.  The PO had put in a smaller battery, that
> was much smaller than the box.  It would have just roamed around in there
> had I not done some shimming and fitted the clamp on top rather than the
> front (no "lip" on the case).  But every vendor quoted me a group 41, not
> a group 42 as the proper battery for the beast.  Clearly, that is an
> option, but the 42 would fit better.  I'm not sure we need the extra amps,
> but what do I know.
>
> mcneely
>
> ---- Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@gmail.com> wrote:
> > That clamp is designed for the original Group 42 battery, which is of
> > course smaller.  I used no clamp when I upgraded to the 41.  No
> > problems with any non-essential movement because it's a rather tight
> > fit.  The mouse pad is a good idea - I used a thin sheet of neoprene
> > to insulate the top.
> > --
> > Jim Thompson
> > 84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
> > 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
> > 72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
> > 75 914 1.8 "Nancy"
> > Full Timing Since March 1999
> > oldvolkshome@gmail.com
> > http://www.oldvolkshome.com
> > ***********************************
> > On Fri, Sep 23, 2011 at 2:49 PM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
> > > I finally got my proper, group 41 starting battery into the battery
> > > box today.  Wow, extremely tight fit.  With the hoses for gas and the
> > > cables, the battery is almost squeezed into the box.  Now, there is a
> > > clamp.  My understanding was that it fits down the side of the battery
> > > facing front, and onto the "foot" on that side of the battery case.
> > > There is a fitting on top of the box for a bolt to hold the clamp, and
> > > thus the battery, in place.
> > >
> > > But -- with the battery in the box, the clamp cannot be fitted in
> > > place -- there simply is not room between the front of the box and the
> > > front of the battery case for the thing to slip in.
> > >
> > > Does it fit on TOP of the battery?  That is how I had my old, small
> > > (group 58 I think, but much smaller than this thing, anyway) clamped
> > > in.  But this battery is also taller.
> > >
> > > Help! McNeely
>
> --
> David McNeely

--
David McNeely