On California Westies and maybe all of them, there is a small blue sticker
on the outside just above the gas cap, that certifies that it complies with
the requirements of the Calif. Department of Housing and Community
development, section 3 referring to RV's electrical, plumbing, blah, blah,
etc. As someone already stated, the battery compartment has a sealed cover
and is vented to the outside (see them inside the wheel well) because the
gases given off by the battery don't mix with the flames from the stove.
Now, what about those that have the aux. battery under the driver's seat???
Jerry
----- Original Message -----
From: CHRIS STANN <cstann@home.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, August 04, 2000 6:48 PM
Subject: Re: Hot Air

> > In either case, it means your battery box is not sealed as it is
supposed
> to
> > be... that means you could be getting a lung full of the toxics that are
> > gassed off when the battery is charging... seal it.
>
> I am confused.  I've driven air-cooled VWs for many years and the battery
> was under the rear seat.  It was not sealed.  Matter of fact, I had to
> install a farm-implement battery in my 6V '61 Beetle.  That battery had
the
> old-fashioned twist-off caps.  They were vented.
>
> Are you telling me I should close off the area under the seat in my '70
> Beetle?
>
> I think those battery compartments are sealed off in the Vanagon because
> when you slide the seat forward, they would get exposed to little prying
> hands wielding metal toys.  So, because they were closed off so tightly,
VW
> decided to add a tube to vent it because as you mentioned, they give off
gas
> when being charged. Simple answer to a complex problem.
>
> Is it Friday?  I think I'm dizzy from all those fumes, man.  :)
>