I have a pair of gel cell "U1" batteries installed in parallel under the
drivers seat.  I did a lot of checking regarding the charging voltages prior
to installing them (checked with the manufacturer, etc) and determined that
it was not a problem.  (I have all the research results in a file at home,
but I recall laying out a matrix of charging voltages, temperatures, etc -
even cross-referencing them against the LED cut-off points on the panel so
as to better judge the condition of the batteries when in use.)

the installation did require removing the over-hanging "lip" with a
sawz-all, as well as hammering out the bottom portion of the battery box in
order to enlarge it about 1/8".  (The box tapers inward slightly towards the
bottom).   The posts are the "screw in" type, like on a motorcycle, which is
perfect for wiring up accessories.  Also, there are no posts sticking up
past the top of the batteries.  I did remove the metal cover, since I did
not want to run the risk of shorting to any of the cables.

I can shoot pix of the installation if anyone is interested.  (I am in the
process of adding some wiring, so it won't be pretty, but you'll get the
idea.)

Bottom line, I have been driving around with this set-up (and camping) for
over a year, and they seem to be holding up just fine so far.  I chose this
route over the Optima for a couple of reasons - more amp/hours from the two
batteries versus the single Optima was my primary reason (about 10 more as I
recall).  The other was that they were slightly less expensive, and I could
get them locally rather than relying on mail order from some place else.

The batteries are made by East Penn Manufacturing, and I have data sheets at
home if someone wants a copy faxed to them.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy "Klaus"
Santa Barbara, CA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Davidson" <wdavidson@thegrid.net>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2000 9:48 AM
Subject: Re: Batteries: Optima vs new Exide spiral wound?

> But Gel Cells have special charging requirements... they are damaged at
the
> 14+ volts that come off the alternator.
> Bill
>