the correct batter has a lip on the lower edge..
two on opposite sides, the longer sides.

on the forward side, an approximately 4 inch long 1/4 inch thick bracket
extends down and pushes on the lower lip of the battery holding it there.

on the rearward side, there's a cleft sort of ...in the battery box, the
lower lip on that side of the battery fits into that.
holding the battery down by the bottom edge is a very good arrangement.
I always ask for the one for a diesel vanagon ..
same physical dimensions, mounting arrangement, and terminal layout - just
more cranking amps.
it's a 48 I think.
800 CCA's maybe.

if you just can't find a correct battery bracket anywhere, I can sell you a
good one.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Mcneely" <mcneely4@COX.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 4:14 PM
Subject: Re: battery compartment

>I would like to see an original clamp.  I don't know if the one in my
>battery box is complete.  It does fit over the top of the battery and it
>seems that it will hold it in place, but it looks as if there should be
>another part to which it should be secured.  I is only one piece, bolts to
>the front of the box (on the side toward the passenger seat).  If it is
>incomplete, how would I go about finding one?  Certainly there are no
>vanagons in junk yards around here  (I've searched for them).  Mine is one
>of only a handful in the entire state of Oklahoma so far as I can tell.
>
> I will be traveling to Spokane, Washington, arriving early next week.
> Anyone on the list there, and can show me a proper battery compartment
> setup?  Anyone there have the complete clamp that I might buy?
>
> You may be right about the inner tube.  the plastic terminal covers that
> I've seen don't seem very thick or strong either, but they are of a
> different material.
>
> I'll look into getting a spec battery tomorrow.  I still don't feel good
> about the battery being smaller than spec.
>
>  DMc
>
> ---- Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET> wrote:
>> In a rollover or collision, your 'too-small' battery with no positive
>> post
>> cover will likely short on the metal lid and may start a fire.
>>   I don't think a piece of inner tube is thick or strong enough to
>> prevent
>> metal to metal contact in severe impacts or abrasion.
>>   A piece of phenolic, bakelite, thin plywood or maybe even a plastic
>> cutting board cut to cover the entire top may do the job.
>>   My Westy has the correct battery with the plastic positive post cover
>> and
>> is properly secured by the original clamp and bolt.  My cover bolts down
>> properly, also, and I still don't feel too warm and fuzzy about the whole
>> setup.  Oh well, what more can you do?
>>
>> Mike B.
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Dave Mcneely" <mcneely4@COX.NET>
>> Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 5:41 PM
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Subject:      Re: battery compartment
>>
>> > Thanks to all who replied.  I see that some agree with me that there is
>> > a
>> > potential problem, others seem to think there definitely is not.  I
>> > decided to take steps to minimize any risk.
>> >
>> > First, I discovered that my battery is not the listed one.  It is a
>> > 53R.
>> > Plenty of cranking amps, full spec on everything, just not the one that
>> > is
>> > supposed to fit in the space.  In fact, the spec battery is physically
>> > bigger.  Mine has no cap on the positive terminal, either.  But, it's a
>> > good battery -- tests good, anyway, and stays fully charged.
>> >
>> > I think I have fixed everything that I thought was wrong.
>> >
>> > 1.  No bracket holding the battery in place.  Used the bracket that was
>> > there but not fastened in.  I got a new, correct sized bolt, and bolted
>> > the bracket in.  It seems to be missing something to catch on the
>> > battery,
>> > but it will hold the battery down.
>> > 2.  Battery physically smaller than the box, so it potentially could
>> > slide
>> > around.  Wedged it in with blocks of wood.
>> > 3.  Potential for the metal lid to make contact with positive post on
>> > the
>> > battery.  Covered battery with rubber from an old inner tube, leaving
>> > breathing space.  Rubber cover is same size as the battery box lid, but
>> > with openings.
>> > 4.  new screws fastening the lid down properly, slightly oversize to
>> > fit
>> > the worn holes.  fits tight now.
>> >
>> > When I buy a new battery, it will be the 41 that is specified.  That is
>> > considerably larger than this battery (case dimensions).  Perhaps
>> > someone
>> > can explain to me how a smaller battery could have as much or more
>> > cranking amps and reserve than the spec battery.  Seems the plates
>> > would
>> > have to be smaller, so less capacity, less longevity.  Doesn't seem so.
>> > Talked with a fellow at a FLAPS about it, but of course, he didn't know
>> > much more if any than I do.
>> >
>> > I do turn the passenger side seat around sometimes in camp, when I
>> > don't
>> > have the jump seat in (of course, can't turn with the seat in place, or
>> > at
>> > least can't turn all the way around).  Will take care from now on that
>> > no
>> > one is placing feet on the battery lid.  We never stand on the battery
>> > box.  I have a stool specifically for the purpose of reaching into the
>> > upper bunk (where we store stuff when in camp) and into the luggage
>> > rack,
>> > or simply to raise and lower the tent.
>> > DMc
>> >
>> > ---- David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>> >> At 03:03 PM 7/8/2010 Thursday, Jeff Lincoln wrote:
>> >> >On Thu, Jul 8, 2010 at 2:56 PM, Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@gmail.com>
>> >> >wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> > >  Did it have the correct battery?
>> >> > >
>> >> >Yes it did Jeff - but I think the cover was a bit bent in or
>> >> >something -
>> >> >either that or I was mad and slammed the thing shut.
>> >>
>> >> Well, that's why the group 41 batteries come with a terminal cover
>> >> for the positive terminal.  Little plastic bridge thing with three or
>> >> four legs.  That's why it exists.
>> >>
>> >> Yours,
>> >> DAvid
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> >--
>> >> >Thanks,
>> >> >
>> >> >Jeff
>> >> >'85 GL (Gertie)
>> >> >'90 Carat (Grover - the noble parts donor)
>> >> >'86 (We call this one Scrap)
>> >> >'78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
>> >
>> > --
>> > David McNeely
>
> --
> David McNeely