Date:         Thu, 9 Jul 2015 12:35:08 -0700
Reply-To:     PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Finding the PERFECT starter battery! (UPDATE!)
Comments: To: David McNeely <mcneely4@cox.net>
In-Reply-To:  <20150709113611.W93IV.31087.imail@eastrmwml205>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

If the Group 48 battery is as high as or higher than the group 41, how does
it compare lengthwise?  My new Group 41 battery is an inch or two shorter
widthwise than my old one.  It would have been possible to carefully lower
the new battery using both of my hands, but I preferred having it lowered
into the compartment with ratchet tie straps!  The height turned out to be
the same, but that is ONLY because the old battery had a permanent strap
mounted on it that took up about 3/8" of height.  The new battery didn't
have the strap, but the cell covers are elevated about 3/8" higher than the
old battery, so the height of the old battery *plus strap* = the height of
the new battery *without strap*.  The hold down bracket worked the same for
both batteries.  The new battery didn't have a terminal cover, but I'm
using the terminal cover from the old battery.

​Old Group 41 Bosch (2007-2015 R.I.P.)
<http://s74.photobucket.com/user/edtech2000/media/Old%20Westy%20Battery.jpg.html>

New Group 41 Bosch
<http://s74.photobucket.com/user/edtech2000/media/New%20Westy%20Battery.jpg.html>
with
different dimensions!

Patti
90 Westy Automatic
Los Angeles

​****************************************************************************************​


On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 8:36 AM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:

> Regarding the Group 48 batteries that you fitted in Vanagons:  Did they
> have the foot for the hold down bracket?  When I bought my camper, it had a
> battery that was too small for the compartment, and there was no way to use
> the factory bracket with it, either.  In fact, since I had little
> experience with these beasts, I concluded that the bracket was rather
> useless.  I shimmed the battery that was there in place.  When I replaced
> it, lo and behold, getting the proper battery resulted in the bracket
> working wonderfully well.  Best battery securing feature I have ever seen
> on a vehicle.  Probably lots of vans are missing this part, because PO used
> incorrect batteries and just tossed the bracket.  Luckily for me, though a
> wrong battery was installed, the bracket was left in the compartment, just
> rattling around loose.
>
> mcneely
>
> ---- vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@COX.NET> wrote:
> > There used to be several sources for Group 48 batteries that were the
> > same height as Group 41 batteries. I haven't found any for a couple of
> > years now. The BCI specs have always said the 48 was too tall but I have
> > put lots of 48 into Vanagons and these fit better than 41. It is not
> > simply a case of mislabeling a 41with a 48 as the short 48 bats have
> > cases that are different in other ways than the 41. But as I said, all
> > the new production 48 I can find are now too tall to fit.
> >
> > Mark
> >
> > SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott ) wrote:
> > > How about go to Knects' s Auto Parts and tell them.
> > > They must be selling 'wrong' 48's or I have my numbers mixed up.
> > >
> > > I can believe you about a Westy battery cover though ...
> > > But I don't even like those screw-down covers.
> > > ...................................
> > >
> > >
> > > On 7/8/2015 2:29 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> > >> Here is a BCI battery spec chart
> > >>
> > >> http://www.interstatedealers.com/IBCatalog/common/automotive_spec.pdf
> > >>
> > >> The BCI group 41 is 6-5/8 inches tall.
> > >>
> > >> The BCI group 48 (H6) is 7-1/2 inches tall. It will not fit under the
> > >> screwed down cover of a Westfalia battery box.
> > >>
> > >> Dennis
> > >>
> > >>
>
> --
> David McNeely
>



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