The driver's seat will slide off of the tracks without having to pivot it
first.........

Mike B.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 8:10 AM
Subject: Costco Group 47 - cheap aux battery option

> After my Group 42 Aux battery died, I went on the hunt for a cheap
> replacement.  Since I store my Westy in the winter, and do not do extended
> camp outs in rustic sites, I was looking for a low cost battery, with a
> good
> warranty.
>
> As you may know, if your battery is run down, and not recharged soon, a
> cell
> failure is very possible.  I had a mishap with my inverter, not thinking
> anything of it, I didn't realize it blew the fuse for the back-up battery.
> The battery ran down, and would not take a charge.  So, I pulled the
> drivers
> seat out, removed the battery and had it tested.  Sure enough it was dead.
> only a little over a year old.  I read a lot of the threads and battery
> debates on the list, and questioned a few local experts on dual battery
> set-ups.
>
>
>
> My main battery is still running strong, a group 41 Eveready.  I measured
> the space under the Driver's seat, and discovered that I could probably
> squeeze a group 41 in there, with a relocation of the dual battery relay.
> As I was advised that "matching batteries" is the optimal solution for
> dual
> battery set ups.  However, since my main battery was still good, and a few
> years old, I know that a "perfect match" was not possible since new vs.
> old
> will likely carry different voltage characteristics.  And not to spend a
> fortune, I began seeking out alternatives.  Sighting that in my personal
> situation, that if I had a 36 month full warranty, I would have simply
> exchanged the battery.  My local "Battery Plus" store carried an 18 month
> warranty, and the batteries that fit ranged from $75 to $85.  So I
> measured
> the space under the Driver's seat at 11" x 7" x 7" and began a search for
> a
> battery which would fit (with recessed posts).  Costco has a Group 47
> battery, which is almost the exact same size as the Group 42 I pulled out.
> Leaving plenty of room for the relay, and having the optional venting
> system
> as well.  The battery sells for $49 and carries a 36 month full
> replacement,
> and 100 month pro-rated warranty.  Best of all, the CA are 735, with CCA
> of
> 590. about 30% better than the group 42 I pulled out.
>
>
>
> Just a note on aux battery removal / installation.  The Driver's seat
> needs
> to be removed, and is a somewhat simple task.  First, pivot the seat 90
> degrees, with the back of the seat towards the passenger side.  Put the
> arm
> rest down, so it fits under the steering wheel, and then slide the seat as
> far forward as it will go.  When facing the seat, look to the lower right
> by
> the track, and you will see a release lever, which when depressed, will
> permit the seat to slide the rest of the way off the track.  Now move the
> base to a full 180 degrees, and you now have full access to the aux
> battery
> area.  By the way, before you reinstall the seat, now is a good time to
> clean and lubricate the tracks.
>
>
>
> Jack R.
>
> 84 Westy Wolfie
>
> Bloomfield MI.
>