I did no mechanical modification whatsoever... I installed the yellow
top on its side with the metal posts facing forwards.  I did however
put a few layers of black electrical tape on the edge of the battery
indent so that there would be no accidental grounding taking place. :)

Sudhir

On 3/13/06, Joy Hecht <jhecht@alum.mit.edu> wrote:
> Modifying the cover plate is a lot easier than modifying the seat. That's
> what I did.
>
>
> Joy
>
> ****************************************************************
> Joy Hecht
> and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
>
> For musings about life and the vanadventures:
> http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
>
> ****************************************************************
>
> :::-----Original Message-----
> :::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
> :::Of Dana Showers
> :::Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 8:53 PM
> :::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> :::Subject: Re: [VWVANFULLTIMERS] Optima Battery position
> :::
> :::For the archives...
> :::
> :::I have verified that, in order to place the Optima batteries under the
> :::seats
> :::such that they do not stick up past the normal cover plate, you do have
> :::to
> :::modify the seat pedestal (the wheel hump that the seats are attached to)
> :::in
> :::order to get the batteries in there.
> :::
> :::Also, Joy offers good advice when she says to line the compartments with
> :::non-conductive material so that the terminals do not touch any metal.
> :::
> :::Dana
> :::85 Westy 1.9TD
> :::
> :::
> :::
> :::-----Original Message-----
> :::From: VWVANFULLTIMERS@yahoogroups.com
> :::[mailto:VWVANFULLTIMERS@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Joy Hecht
> :::Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 12:47 PM
> :::To: VWVANFULLTIMERS@yahoogroups.com
> :::Subject: RE: [VWVANFULLTIMERS] Optima Battery position
> :::
> :::My yellow top is in right-side-up.  Had to take the seat off altogether
> :::to
> :::install it.  And also had to cut holes in the plate that goes above it to
> :::accommodate the terminals.  I have other material on top of it protecting
> :::the terminals from accidentally touching other things.  No need to change
> :::the seat.
> :::
> :::
> :::Joy
> :::
> :::--
> :::No virus found in this outgoing message.
> :::Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> :::Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 268.2.1/277 - Release Date: 3/8/2006
>