In a message dated 07/05/2008 5:10:18 P.M. Central Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

It is a  old topic here but time for it again I guess. Lots of us need
new batteries  from time to time or wish to add a second battery. What
fits? That is the  question all right. I recently needed several
replacements and have  switched to a slightly different size.

Group 41 seems to be the native  battery for Vanagons. There are others
that fit into the compartment  too.

Group 41   standard size, sort off
Group  42   smaller, weaker option
Group 48   very close to  standard but easier fit into compartment?
Group 91   standard  size, maybe stronger?
Group 40R  maybe close but don't have  details

I am now using some Group 48 as a trial as I wanted a size  slightly
easier to fit in/out of the compartment. It is same height and  width but
slightly less long. It also has a bit better CCA and CA numbers  than the
41 at the same megastore chain.

An anomaly I have noticed  is that the supposed "standard" size
dimensions can vary slightly from  brand to brand and the size charts can
be way off from reality. Group 48  for example is often listed with
physical dimensions larger than the Group  41 but the ones I just bought
are smaller. Is it an error in the charts? An  error by the manufacturer
in labeling? Anyone else using this size under  the front seats with
unmodified battery  compartment?

Mark,  the last time I changed out my Kirkland Group 41 battery used as an
AUX battery  under the drivers seat before going into Mexico last December the
COSTCO store  in San Antonio only had Group 48 so I took it and it fit just
fine and as you  noted it does have higher CCA and CA.  It's still in there and
working just  fine 5 months later with lots of cycling while in Mexico.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
- Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/exhaust.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June12 ~ 15,  2008