> camper and still can't get myself to spend $160 on an Optima.  All I want to

DONT, buy a regular automotive battery same as the starting battery.  i
got mine blemished for $35.  unless you're running it WAY down this
battery will last at least a year or two probably longer and when it fails
buy a new one, big deal.  maybe get a battery with a 2 year warranty so
you can return it when it fails.  the optimas are for people with fat
purses and expensive stereo's that want to use their boom box in the
middle ofthe woods.

good luck,
Andrew Fox (trying to keep the price of owning a westy reasonable)

> 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
>