Marco,
The Optima is twice as much money, but supplies almost twice as much
power... about 50 to 60 amp hours (depending on temperature and other
things).
My experience camping is that I could use even more power storage at
times... that's why I added a solar panel... but not much help when it is
cloudy. :)

Don't know if you can use the smaller battery without upsizing the wires and
relay... the only way I know that you have to with the Optima is because I
deep discharged it and measured the amps on starting the engine with an amp
meter... it measured more than 70 amps for a few seconds and 40 or 50 amps
for minutes (this is from my foggy memory... check my post last Feb or Mar
for the complete details).
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
-----Original Message-----
From: Marco Biancardi <star@MAUI.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2000 11:03 PM
Subject: Re: auxiliary battery for 87 westfalia

>I found a supergel cycling battery that fit perfectly under the drive's
>seat.
>Here are some spec:
>Trojan supergel
>Type: sg-30
>30 amp/hours
>Dimension: L - 7.5/8 (194); W - 5.3/16 (178); H - 7 (178)
>Price: aprox $70
>
>Would like to hear from someone that has used this battery if it is
>worthwhile buy it?
>Can I used the relay and the smaller stock wire that came standard with the
>westy or do I still need to replace the 30 amp relay with a 40 amp one?
>and is it better to change the smaller wire with a #8 wire?
>
>Thanks as lot to everyone for your help.
>You are really a great family.
>
>Marco Biancardi
>star@maui.net
>