I know 2 battery distributors here in the East who quit handling the
Optima batteries due to high failure rate. This was about 2 years ago and
I don't have any experience with them myself. It is impossible to find
them locally.

Suggest you stay away from Auto-Zone for batteries. I have not had good
luck with the ones they have been selling past 2 or 3 years.

Don't know about the Wal-Mart batteries as I don't give Wal-Mart my money.

My motorhome has 2 NAPA deep-cycle batteries I bought 2 years ago and find
them reasonably priced and reliable.

My 90 Syncro Camper has a medium size wheelchair battery that's used for
the van's stereo, fridge and a small inverter that I use for my 17" laptop.

Michael

My VW web site:
http://www.velocity.net/~vickrail/moshevw.htm