Date:         Tue, 2 Jul 2013 18:36:55 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: AGM group 41 battery choices?
Comments: To: Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <B6F52325-4D41-4DF6-A6BF-A50807FF6E51@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 06:12 PM 7/2/2013, Gregg Carlen wrote:
>Time to replace the starting battery in my 1990 Westy. Is there a
>suitable AGM group 41 starting battery made by any battery companies?
>
>I checked with Optima (as I have a preference towards them), but
>they don't make a Group 41 (red or yellow top). Would be great if I
>could go down to the local parts store and buy an Optima yellow top that fit.

People have installed Optima batteries by cutting off the top
terminals and adding a shorting bolt to reconnect inner and outer
parts of said terminals.  There was quite a vogue for it ?ten? years ago.

Trouble is that the automotive-type regulator doesn't really satisfy
AGM charging specifications, so you end up with an expensive battery
that doesn't last as long as it should.  People got tired of them
failing early.

If you're going to put in a smart regulator that's different.

Yours,
David