I notice that people are using the Optima Yellow-Top in their Westies.
I was down at Costco yesterday and they only have the Blue-Top.  I think
it was under $150.  When I went to the Optima web site, it appears that
the blue-top, not the yellow would be most appropriate for an auxiliary
battery on the Vanagon.

http://www.optimabatteries.com/usingOptima/applicationsYellow.asp

http://www.optimabatteries.com/products/marine/index.asp

Do people recommend that I go for the blue-top in the future?  I can't
find a cheap place to get the yellow-tops here in the SF Bay area.
Also, the blue-top actually looks better-suited for use as an auxiliary
battery.

Right now, I'm using two Sears Diehard international batteries.  Each
cost about $100.  I use one as my primary starter and have a relay
connection to the auxiliary.  (Note that my current auxiliary is NOT
deep cycle.)

I have 2 flourescent lights running off the auxiliary.  Each light has 2
tubes in it and draws about 30watts (I think).  I also have an inverter
on the auxiliary, which I haven't really used yet (I had a panasonic TV
on it and the sound was a messed up).  I just bought another 13" TV/VCR
combo which accepts 12VDC directly and appears to work fine.  I also
have this coming off of the auxiliary.    BTW, I'm putting the TV/VCR on
the floor behind the passenger's seat.  Is there a better place to mount
this?  I've been thinking about mounting it on the table behind the
driver, but I'm worried about stability in sudden stops and turns when
I'm driving.  The TV is only for my son, who sits on the bench seat and
gets real bored during long drives.