In a message dated 23/05/2008 9:43:42 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
colorworks@gci.net writes:

What are the specs on the flooded battery from Costco?  

Same as any standard group 41 battery.

I do not have the advantage of the solar panel when the  engine is off,  
although in the land of the midnight sun, it would  be a nice addition.  I'm 
running some additional experiments as we speak.  Have the odyssey and the main 
starter battery linked. It's down to 45�,  so that the Atwood is running in 
addition to the DC fridge, and some lights  for about an hour at half. From the 
resting voltage figures, I'm definitely  going to need at least 100AH, and more 
wouldn't hurt. I have a hard time  believing that a standard flooded battery 
would have this kind of capacity,  although I can't deny the fact it's been 
working for you. I would be very  curious to know your total power requirements. 
Also curious to know how you  managed to fit a group 41 battery, and something 
like a solenoid or surepower  into that space behind the driver seat. 

                The battery compartment behind & under the drivers  seat will 
accommodate a group 41 battery and the Sure Power 1315 battery  separator 
with no problem.  I do that install for my customers all the  time.  The Sure 
Power 1315 must have one of its feet cut off so that it can  be located as far as 
possible in the RH front corner of the battery compartment  where there is a 
space that the battery cannot occupy.  

 
Second, a standard flooded battery generally requires  ventilation. How did 
you deal with this, or are you just not worried  about it? 

            The battery compartment is not sealed.  I have never had nor do I 
 know of anyone who has ever had a problem.

I am still leaning towards a battery under the rear seat.  I have a Subaru 
conversion installed, so no ECU taking up a bunch of space  there and can get a 
pretty good-sized battery on the drivers side. I could  then use that space 
behind the driver seat for some storage. Admittedly,  attempted to remove the 
metal cover that's impossible to open unless you  rotate the seat-- Hate that 
design! 
 
Anyway, I'm assuming that you're running your solar  collector while using 
this auxiliary battery or your power requirements are  fairly low? Would be 
interested in learning more. From what I'm seeing, a 60AH  battery is not going to 
cut it, unless it is supplemented with the main  battery. 

 
            Solar panel is wired in permantely.  When the sun is shinning on 
it  the aux battery is being charged.  There is an automatic controller to  
prevent over charging.  The size of your aux battery will depend on your  
electrical needs when there is no input to the aux battery from any source. This  
will vary for each and every user, so you must do your own calculations and  
decide how to accommodate them.  In my case I have the input and  output well 
balanced and all works well.

 
I'm also unclear as to how low you can bring the resting  voltage without 
doing serious damage to the battery. AGM's can of course  can be drained further 
than a flooded battery. Anyone  know??

        This is why I  am advocating the use of the Kirkland battery from 
COSTCO.  They offer a 3  year no questions asked guarantee.  So when you screw up 
the battery by  dropping the voltage down too low and it won't hold a charge 
any more, just  take it back to COSTCO and get another.  Otherwise you will 
have to come up  with another solution to your problem, like putting good deep 
cycle batteries  under the rear bench seat and loosing storage space.

 
This souce (_http://www.phrannie.org/battery.html_ 
(http://www.phrannie.org/battery.html) )  suggested 12.20
While Trojan suggest 11.96 see: 
_http://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/DeepCycleMaintenance.pdf_ (http://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/DeepCycleMaintenance.pdf) 
 
I'm assuming a 60% drain as  maximum.

 
 
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
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(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/exhaust.htm)  
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camping event, Almonte, ON, June12 ~ 15,  2008