These are "golf cart" batteries and are available from just about any
specialty battery store.  They are BIG and HEAVY!  (but lots of reserve
amps, though!).  They will eat up most of your under-seat space, especially
if you have a heater back there.  Another alternative is using a pair
smaller gel batteries (U1 size) in the compartment under the drivers seat.
Or you use a single Optima battery.  These will yield about 1/2 the
amp-hours of reserve juice, but you don't lose precious space, either.

I have a pair of gel cell batteries in there, for a total of about 55 amp
hours of reserve capacity.  I wired all my accessories to them, in addition
to an auxiliary fuse block which is hidden in the "secret" compartment
behind the 110v outlet plate in the back.  Be sure to use a beefy relay to
separate the aux battery(ies) from your main battery in order to avoid
discharging back and forth.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

>  -----Original Message-----
> From:         Marco Biancardi [mailto:star@MAUI.NET]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2000 3:09 PM
> To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject:      Re: deep-cycle battery
>
> That's a great idea.
> I have a few questions:
>
> Where did you find the batteries?
> brand?
> How much did you pay for it?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Marco Biancardi
> marco@touchofparadise.com
> POBox 947
> Kihei, HI 96753
> ph: 808-874-9080
> fax: 707-667-0974
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Peter Zendzian
> Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2000 7:17 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: deep-cycle battery
>
>
> I did this in my van, but it is not a westy so you this may not work for
> you.  I used 2 6 volt dee cycle sealed jell cell batteries.  I used this
> type because they fit perfetly under my seat and they do not vent into the
> cabin.  I did have to remove the seat to install them but they are great
> and
> I have 220 amp hours for all my accessories.
>
> Pete
> 83.5 Vanagon
>
>
>
> P.S. You may want to check this out. AllAdvantage.com is the Internet
> company that pays its members while they surf the Web ($.50 an hour). It's
> free to join and it takes about a minute (no survey to fill out).  I
> receive
> checks from this company every month!
>
> Just go to All Advantage (http://alladvantage.com/go.asp?refid=JAT035)
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "HERMANN DE BOER" <hdeboer@BSSD.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2000 6:45 AM
> Subject: deep-cycle battery
>
>
> > Need some advice here:
> > I want to install a marine battery underneath the rear bench. Any tips?
> > Also, what can possibly drain my aux. battery when parked (not camping).
> > Thanks!
> > Hermann
> > 87 Westy GL 2.0l Eurospec
>
>
>