Here's my lazyman solution: I went to Costco, and for $99 Canadian, bought a combination portable power pack/250watt inverter. It has a dual flourescent light, booster cables, and 110v outlet. The manual (see site) claims that it can run a 60 watt 13"TV for 2.5 hours. I have not used it too much yet. It fits neatly behind the drfivers seat.
Here's a link to it...

http://www.xantrex.com/Products/PortablePower/jazz/jazz250.html

Tom

>Subject: Simple auxillary battery question
>   From: "Royston, Jerry" <gmr@OBPA.USDA.GOV>
>   Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 13:27:50 -0400
>     To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>Here's my dilemma.  I will be installing a 2nd battery next week in my
>camper and still can't get myself to spend $160 on an Optima.  All I want to
>do is wire my power converter to it and be able to watch a 2 hour movie in
>the middle of nowhere on my 13" TV/VCR combo (rated at about 65 watts) and
>maybe run a small light or fan for a while.  And I don't plan to live in the
>van for extended periods so this would be only a once in a while need.  What
>I need to know is whether a regular starting battery would suffice and how
>long would it last.  Are there cheaper deep cycle batteries that would fit
>under the driver's seat?  If a regular battery is all I need, is there one
>particular kind/model/power rating that I should look for.  Thanks.
>
>Gerry Royston
>'87 Westy