I'm asking this as a serious question.
What am I missing here?
My first Westy battery I bought in 1995 lasted 7 years and 145,000 miles
in my Westy, it was a Die Hard, about $54.00 back in 85.
My current battery is a Champion battery that I got at Sams Club for
$42.00 and even after running my 12v TV, interior lights and radio all
day and till midnight I've never had a battery failure while I've been
camping or any other time.
I'm a little confused since the VWs are all 4 cylinder and low
compression.
Why would you need any type of special battery?
If you're in Alaska or some perpetually freezing place I could see more
investment for winter month security but unless there is, like I said,
something I'm missing; I'd say you're just wasting your money.
For you guys that already have Optima batteries ............. good for
you.

Stan Wilder
83 Westfalia Air Cooled

On Tue, 21 May 2002 18:04:39 -0400 Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
writes:
> For engine starting, I think the Optima is a higher price-lower
> performing alternative to the proper group 41 battery. Being deep
> cycle
> does not eliminate the advantage of a second battery as you can
> still
> discharge it and find your self stranded. The major advantage of
> two
> battery systems is the availability of a fully charged starting
> battery
> after using the lights and radio long enough to run down the 2nd
> battery.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On
> Behalf
> Of Joe Curro
> Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2002 1:50 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Which Optima for starting battery?
>
> I desparately need a starting battery for my 87 Westy.  I am
> considering
> an Optima, but I don't know which one is appropriate.  It appears
> that
> the "Yellow Top", which is listed on Desert Rat as "Deep cycle,
> Automotive" would be the right choice.  Does anyone have any
> experience
> using this battery as a starting battery?  I like the fact that it
> is
> also
> deep cycle, as I do not have a second battery in my Vanagon.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Joe
>

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