I am not an electrical guru so I can't comment on using the
Optima as your primary battery. However I do have a yellow
top mounted in my syncro westy as a second battery. It is
hooked to the vehicle using the side posts and the top posts
stick through holes cut in the battery cover and are capped
with little plastic caps, this way I don't have to swivel
the seat to jump start off my second battery. I don't know
the dimensions of the red top but there are a bunch of
yellow top instalation options discussed at:

http://www.vanagon.com/info/articles/upgrades/battery/index.h
tml

They are all to do with passenger side instalation but since
the boxes are the same size, that isn't important.

Thanks,
Chris

---- Original message ----
>Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2004 12:18:33 -0800
>From: Brian Butler <bbutler@PRODIGY.NET>
>Subject: Calling all OPTIMA BATTERY USERS!
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>I posted this question a few weeks ago, but didn't
>really get the replies I was hoping for.
>In the past I have seen a number of discussions about
>how great the Optima batteries are. Now I want to put
>a Red Top model in my van and can't seem to get any
>help. I want to put it under the Passenger seat as my
>primary and only battery. The battery dealer, who is
>also a shop that works on vanagons, says it won't
>fit-it is to tall and will cause a fire. I asked if it
>could be layed on it side. They said they would sell
>me the battery, but installing it is up to me.
> I measured a red top and the compartment under the
>seat and it seems like this could be the solution,
>(laying it on its side).
>I am open to suggestions to other Optima models as my
>primary/starting battery, If there is indeed an Optima
>that can be used for this application.(If there are no
>Optima batteries that work for this application, I
>would listen to suggestions regarding other high
>quality options).
>Please reply with any advice regarding this subject.
>Please do not reply if you have found a groovy way to
>wire your secondary battery and strap it to the roof,
>or any other, or any other subjects which do not
>pertain to my query.
>Thanks in advance,
>Brian Butler