Date:         Sat, 24 Sep 2011 11:15:54 -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:  <20110924104343.H5502.1845575.imail@eastrmwml35>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8"; reply-type=original

Both of your attempted methods have worked for me in the past.  You may need
to pry a little added space to slide it over from the side.  You won't crack
the case if you're careful when prying.  You could use a wooden wedge to
create some extra room, then remove it later.  I know it reallt tight, but
it is possible, I've done it many times.

Mike B.

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Mcneely
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2011 10:43 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: proper battery fit

---- Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> The campers have a "box" insert in the battery box so that they can take a
> screw on cover. The clamp is different. It is a very tight fit to get it
> in
> place. On some batteries it has to be forced down. Sometimes I tape it to
> the side of the battery and lower the battery and clamp together.

When you say "forced down," I have an image of a cracked battery case.  Is
that not a real possibility, if the clamp is "forced"?  I have not tried
taping the clamp to the front of the battery, but I have tried to hold the
clamp in position while lowering the battery.  There simply is not enough
room to do that.  But, I'll try the tape.  Duct tape, I suppose.  I have
also tried to slip the clamp down at the corner, and slide it over.  Again,
just too tight.  No go.  The corner is an even tighter place because of the
cable.
>
> The battery should come with a cover for the positive terminal. The
> connection for the two red wires shall be installed with the bolt head
> facing down, not up. Yes you have to remove the cable to check-tighten
> that
> bolt.

So, the wires need to be installed to the cable terminal before the cable is
fastened to the post, right?  Bolt head facing any other way, and it and the
wire end protrude too much to allow the terminal cover to fit properly.

All this lack of space with resultant fit problems is simply one of those
cases where the engineers simply assumed that a VW tech at a dealership
would do the job.  Good grief!

mcneely
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Anthony Egeln
> Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2011 12:09 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: proper battery fit
>
> The group 41 that I just bought from Mr. Walton's store works just fine
> with
> the clamp.
>
> The clamp goes with the horizontal foot facing forward, and the vertical
> riser forming the "L" up against the battery.  I guess the screw hole in
> the
> "foot" is oblong instead of round to enable adjustment of the foot so it
> can
> hold the vertical against the battery.
>
> At least that's how mine works.  And mine is the starter battery of my pax
> van behind the passenger seat.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Anthony
> '89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 5:49 PM
> Subject: proper battery fit
>
> 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