the only alternatives  i know of
1.  put in an aux battery with capability to switch in the second
battery as a jumper

2.  put in what in the USAF we called NATO  connectors.  basically a
plug  mounted outside of the vehicle that connects directly to the
battery.  you then just plug a modified set of jumper cables in  to
jump the vehicle, or use the 12v for an external device.   if you dont
use an outlet designed for this  type of use make sure you use one with
a "polarized"  or "one way" plug.

note..there is no safe place to jump a vanagon from the engine
compartment.  in fact every location in the compartment would be
severely  hazardous to the westy and possibley  the  jumper.
jimt

On Monday, Oct 7, 2002, at 12:54 America/Denver, Mark Belanger wrote:
> Question: is there an easier way of jumping a dead Westy battery than
> moving the captain's chair, unscrewing the covers and making sure I
> have
> a long enough set of jumper cables to reach it?  Seems like it would be
> far easier to be able to jump from the engine compartment or otherwise.
>  Having drained the DieHard in my old Bronco a dozen times, I'm sure
> I'll be repeating the process in the Westy.