

| Subject: | Re: Optima deep cycle batt. as starting battery? |
| From: | Bill Kasper |
| Date: | Thu, 15 Nov 2001 16:17:01 -0800 |
so are there any deep cycle, group 41 batteries? bill '87 syncro westfalia On Thursday, November 15, 2001, at 03:42 , mark drillock wrote: > Bill, group 41 is the only size made to fit into the stock battery > locations so all Vanagons with the battery under the front seat should > have them. The terminals on the top of the battery are different on > group 41 batteries and no other group model will fit safely. The 41 > refers to a size/fit and not to the battery capacity. There are some > weak batteries out there in that size. Be sure to get one that says both > "cold cranking amps" of at least 600 and "cranking amps" of at least > 800. The Walmart batteries meet these numbers. Kragen has them too for a > few bucks more. Walmart is the best deal I think. The Optimas are > special purpose batteries and don't fit quite right as well as costing > over $100. They don't come in a group 41 size so you have to modify > things to get them to fit safely in the under front seat battery > compartments. > > > Mark > > > Bill Kasper wrote: >> >> i am ignerent when it comes to batteries (among other things >> electrical, >> and beyond). what is the typical, stock battery's "group" for the >> vanagon? if i go to walmart and buy two group 41 batteries to run >> household and the van, will that work? what are the advantages of >> group >> 41 over any other group? >> >> inquiring minds want to know. >> >> thanks. >> bill >> '87 syncro westfalia >> >> On Thursday, November 15, 2001, at 01:58 , mark drillock wrote: >> >>> If cost is a factor just get Walmart's $40 standard group 41 battery >>> and >>> put it in the other battery compartment under the driver's seat. You >>> can >>> buy a battery switch or a heavy duty relay for about $20. Add another >>> $20 for wire and connectors and you can do the whole thing for under >>> $100. If you like, put the new battery in the main battery position >>> and >>> use your old one for the aux battery. I use this approach and cycle >>> in a >>> new main battery every 2 years and move the old one to the aux >>> position. >>> This way I always have a fairly new main battery for starting. >>> >>> Mark >
Have something to add on this topic today? Revive this thread in the forum »