Well Gang, maybe this will help some:  Doing the Auxillary Battery
Dance thing this weekend.

I have spent the last few days trying to find a supplier for Optima
Battery up here and called our local Interstate and was quoted a 'firm'
$299.99!  HOLY SMOKES!  ~$220 US!  Looking at shipping something up
from the US and paying for shipping/customs etc..., 'bout $180 US I
figured...better by about $70 after taxes than Interstate.  But my
'instant gratification' switch was on so Interstate it would be
tomorrow...

I went to Costco tonight to pick up some BULK party junk for a big
reunion we have this weekend...and walking by the battery shelves there
were 3 Yellow-topped batteries...34/78 model....I could not believe it!
  $199.99 Can, about $145 US.  And I have it and can install it this
weekend!

Thought I would pass this on.  I know Costco is a swear-word for many
(I own a small business) but what a blessing to find this thing sitting
there!

Cheers, bruce

'85 Westy
'02 Snap Beetle
Victoria, BC, Canada, truly a Westy ;-)