There's another one too, with more Cold Cranking Amps - usually called a 48.
What I want in a vanagon starting battery is one that fits, with the right
hold-down edge on it,
with the terminals in the right place.
If you look at a list vanagon batteries , you'll see the Diesel Vanagon has
the most cold cranking amps, around 800 or so.
Same dimensions. That's the one I get.

about which battery is best by brand ..
I've never thought DieHards were so good at all. Wouldn't even consider
buying one.

As long as you are paying for a 'pretty decent battery' with the most cold
cranking amps in that size battery, I don't think the brand matters so much.
Far more important is how you take care of it.
  If I go to my local FLAPS ...........they want about $ 90 for their
strongest battery in the right size.
If I go to Walmart, that same battery  is about 70.
at a discount parts store, I find 'em for about 60 something, plus core of
course.

Interstate Batteries ........good brand, nationwide coverage I think.
which means you can find an Interstate Battery sales outlet almost anywhere,
should you need to make a warranty claim on it.

But really, unless you are getting cheap junk, I'd say it depends more on
how you take care of it.

vanagons be so much fun !
scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Alcock" <doug.alcock@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 6:40 AM
Subject: Re: Best battery

> For size you want a "Group 44" battery..........
>
> Cheers,
> Doug
>
> On Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 1:53 AM, Arkady Mirvis
> <arkadymirvis@gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>> I suspect that a lot was written already here about batteries. New are
>> coming daily.
>> While leaving in USA I used DIEHARD batteries. They performed well in my
>> diesel Jetta in daily use. But in 1987 Westy they didn't last. I removed
>> the
>> battery usually for winter storage and trickle charged. In no more than 3
>> years the battery would fail. I recall  that the first, original VARTA
>> battery failed on the second year.
>> Now I am determined to get the best battery for my Westy, price doesn't
>> matter. The battery must fit into its compartment under the front
>> passenger
>> seat. What are the maximum dimensions of the battery one can comfortably
>> put
>> in and get out?
>>
>> Many Westy owners do use auxiliary batteries. I used DIEHARD batteries.
>> Not
>> with great success. Can anyone suggest the best battery?
>> I had my batteries in the compartment under the Westy's rear seat. I
>> would
>> like to hear suggestions about alternative aux. battery location.
>>
>> Thanks, Ark
>>
>
>
>
> --
> http://www.dougalcock.com