In a message dated 18/05/2004 1:27:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

Has  anyone tried to install an Optima D34 or D34/78 in a 1980  Westfalia's
auxiliary battery location (under the drivers seat) without  modifications?
It would appear that it will not fit.  My measurements  of the compartment
indicate that its 12 1/2" L x 6 7/8" W x 7" Deep and the  Optima web site
says that the D34/78 is 10"x6.8"x7.8" which seems to  indicate that the
compartment is not deep enough.  I was just curious  about why I always hear
people talking about these batteries if the don't  fit.

The Optima battery fits  just fine.  The battery posts will protrude above
the battery box by a few  centimetres but that does not cause a problem.  Either
remove and discard  the battery box cover and use a piece of carpeting to
cover the battery top or  make cut-outs in the battery box cover to allow the
battery posts to protrude  and cover with carpet.  I have done many like this
without problems.   You will need to get or make a battery securing strap like
the one used to hold  the main battery in place.  Need is the mother of
invention.
Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 10 ~ 13, 2004
'87 Westy, '90 Carat &  Lionel Trains
Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
(http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/)  & _CCVWC_
(http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  the Ottawa Valley
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or  http://frankcondelli.com