In a message dated 08/07/2005 12:10:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

Here's  what I did on one  install:

http://www.californiavan.com/battery/Battery.html

1)  Remove the upper turntable if the van has Westy seats then chop
about 1 1/2  inches away from the rear section of the lower turntable
base.  (see  photo) I used a Dremel cutting wheel to remove the
section.

2) Use  the Optima without side terminals, the way nothing can short
to the battery  cover tin.

3) Shim the battery compartment with wood blocks to keep the  battery
from moving about.

4) Cover the positive terminals with an  old rubber inner tube just to
be extra safe.

5) Use a Surepower  model 1315 battery separator instead of the wimpy
VW relay.  While the  Surepower is a tad expensive at $70, it's the
best possible way to hook up  two batteries in a Vanagon.  Intelligent
charging, automatic  separation when engine is off and automatic 2nd
battery starter assist for  those times when you left the park lights
on....it's also compatible with  Subaru alternators and the VW
alternator idiot light without having to do  any extra wiring.

This is pretty much how I do them here except in  Westys I keep the Optima
standing up and cut holes in the cover for the  terminals to clear.  A thin
layer of insulating material on top of the  battery will allow the seat to swivel
and not make contact with the positive  terminal without any modification to
the seat swivel base.  Covered with  the carpet that is there the slight rise
in height above the original is not  noticeable and causes no inconvenience.
I've done an install in a CARAT  and laid the battery on its side as youv'e
explained and that works just fine  with no mods needed.  The Sure Power 1315 is
certainly the right way to  install an Optima Yellow top in a Vanagon.  Works
perfectly and that Optima  is always charged right up quickly when the engine
is started.  A couple of  other options I often include when I do these AUX
battery installs: a  second 12 volt outlet on the dash connected to both
batteries with a transfer  switch with a digital volt meter plug in so one can keep
and eye on the charging  of both batteries by a flip of the switch and give a
second 12 volt power  outlet when needed and a 300 ~ 400 watt power inverter
hardwired to  the AUX battery.  This set up will give you all the power options
you'll  ever need unless you want the micro wave oven option ;-)

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
'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