In a message dated 7/20/00 5:23:59 PM, TCarrington@ReliTech.com writes:

<< >> Battery lid still wont stay down due to the battery being too high
>>when

>>the terminal guard is in place. Had to sit in the seat, reach back and

>>hold it down while sliding the seat back. What a design!? >>

>It fits the Group 41 battery for which it was designed just fine.

How arrogant of you to say this when you have not even seen my van or

battery! I've just reinstalled my battery and I can assure you it DOES

NOT fit just fine. >>

David-M,

I was not being arrogant in the least.  In my short life I have installed 6
Group 41 batteries of 3 different brands (Interstate, Sears Diehard and
Champion) into 4 different Vanagons which all fitted as intended by VW.  The
only batteries which did not fit with room to spare, albeit modest, are the
ones I have removed.  These incorrectly sized batteries were installed by
previous owners out of expediency, ignorance or cheapness.  Unless you have
the one Vanagon which was built differently than the rest, or else the one
Group 41 battery which does not meet industry standards, I would say
something is amiss.

As far as the design, I think the real shortcoming lies in the imprudence of
placing the battery within the passenger compartment where, in the event of a
catastrophic accident, it could leak a rather concentrated solution of
sulfuric acid onto the face of an unconscious survivor.

Since you seem to have trouble recognizing true arrogance, I offer up the
following only as a comparative example: Anyone who finds that a battery
specified by a manufacturer does not fit readily into the space allocated for
that battery and who does not correct the source of the interference, is a
fool. :)

Rich