In a message dated 25/09/2006 12:08:44 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

I notice  that few deep discharge batteries have a very long warranty -
don't  remember seeing longer than 3 but might have missed some that  are
longer.

This one that GoWesty sells, which costs $170, has only  a 2 year
warranty.  Optima brand Yellow Batteries cost about the  same.

A $60 battery from the FLAPS down the street (Advanced Auto) that  fits
the Vanagon had a 6 year warranty with 100% replacement for the first  3
years and prorated after that.  This is their best line of  batteries,
the Titanium line.

Financially, it seems much cheaper to  get the starter battery and swap
it out for free every couple of years  which is what you would be doing
with the more expensive deep cycle  battery.

I know that a number of list members take this  approach.

Yes, and yes again.  When my Optima Yellow top  died a few weeks ago after
only two ~3 years of use but way over the 300  predicted cycles I bought a
Kirkland group 41 battery from Costco, warranteed  for 3 years with no pro-rating,
cost $60 CND !  Way better deal and has 110  amp hours.  Way more than the
measly 55 amp hours of the Optima.  AND  it fits nicely in the box under the
drivers seat.  So far it's working  perfectly.  How long it will last before
needing replacement is under  investigation.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa  Valley
_Frank Condelli  & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007