I don't seem to have the same problem with the batteries in my plain old
84.  My batteries seem to come out with only the threat of torn-out
fingernails if my grip fails as I pull up the smaller NAPA batteries.  But I
had a similar problem with some keel ballast on a hollow -keeled sailboat I
built and my "fix" was to lay a strap into the space and then insert the
object on top of the stap with the ends sticking up.  Fold over the stap
until it comes time to get the battery out, then grab the ends and lift the
thing right straight up with the strap.
  Don Hanson

On Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 7:11 PM, Loren Busch <starwagen@gmail.com> wrote:

>  RE: Battery lifting straps or clamps
> I have both of these
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OQHRR4
> http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/kdt205.html
> and both work just fine.  The clamp type carrier may not work for our
> Vanagons because of the limited clearance in the battery box.  But the
> strap
> type lifters are normally on the shelf at the local FLAPS, look in the
> accessories by the batteries.
>