Most of the batteries come with a plastic cover over the positive terminal.
See photo of battery in this link.
http://tinyurl.com/2aqfz4h

It wouldn't hurt to put some duct tape on the underside of the metal lid if desired, or if your battery doesn't have the plastic cover.

Jack R.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 12:42 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: battery compartment

As we all know, the battery compartment of the vanagon is under the passenger seat.  It is covered with a metal lid.  What do you folks do to insure that this lid never contacts the battery terminals?  The thing has screws to fasten it in place, but seems capable of coming loose and becoming a conductor.  I considered a pad made of an old inner tube, or something similar.

Thanks,  David McNeely
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