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Date:         Thu, 17 Apr 1997 20:30:11 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Redwood <redwood@speedlink.com>
Subject:      Batteries: Optima vs Gp 41...was Re: Group-41 deep cycle gel-cel battery -payback

Ron Lussier posted the specs to the Optima a couple of days ago, and the full article is on his website at: http://www.vanagon.com/beethoven/ele ctrical.html

I tried to compare the two lists of specs side by side, but was not able to interpret fully. It does seem that the Gp 41 is 1" shorter than the Optima, so no cutting *might* be required to fit it in under the driver's seat. I found the Optima battery online at a couple of places. Best price was a plce called desertrat.com in Arizona [800.528.3402], $167.95 including S/H delivered to CA.

Their website, http://desertrat.com/optimbat/optima.htm

has a good discussion w/ pictures of the Optima. The price is actually $129.99. Shipping might differ to other places, and we are talking about 46.1 lbs.

Ron's post also had info wrt a trickle-charging system he used. He suggested grinding off the top posts on the Optima, but James' suggestion sounds like a good way to go.

FYI. I have no idea what might be the relative strengths/weaknesses of the gel system vs the spiral wound technology.

Either of these could be a big help, and I appreciate everyone's input. The timing is great, as I wanted to get some kind of auxiliary battery in place in the next month, before a 12-day trip I have planned.

Love this list!

Gail

At 07:39 PM 4/17/97 -0500, James Matthison wrote: > >>Clark M. Carr said >>Its payback time. After getting so much help from everyone, and realizing >how >>much dosh I've saved for so many things I didn't go to the dealer for, I'm >happy >>to say I have a little something to share back. > >I, too, got a lot of info from the list, thanks. > >Here is what I came up with. > >Optima Deep Cycle Battery (not gel, new spiral wound technology) >52 amp hours >700 or 750 cranking amps >Sealed -- no gases >Can be charged harder than gels without risk of frying >Also expensive ($160-$180) > >Fits under seat but is a little too tall -- however comes with side and top >terminals, so I am going to use the side terms and drill holes in the black >access cover (and carpet) for the top terminals -- the access cover then >closes. Top terminals come with plastic caps and will stick up through the >carpet (but not so high that the driver's seat won't swivel). They will be >out of harms way when driving, and if I need to jump-start someone I can just >slide the seat forward a bit and take off the plastic caps. > >People I have talked with think that this new technology is hot, so I guess >I'll find out. > >I could drum up the spec's if anyone's interested. > >BTW, I am using a A/B/Both switch instead of making the relay vs isolator >decision and wiring in an on-board charger that will charge both batteries >when the van is plugged in. > >James >90 Syncro Westy > > __________________________ Gail Fitzpatrick '87 GL Westi, 117k [Twiga] Sacramento, CA <redwood@speedlink.com>


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