Scott, your description of the bracket matches the one I have.  If the 41 (or 48 as you get) has a lip to receive the clamp, then that might work with the clamp I have (although the clamp seems to fit onto the bolt hole in such a way as to lay over the top of the battery, not on the side).  I need to look at the clamp again tomorrow when I have daylight.    Maybe it does fit on the hole so as to fit like you described.  Thanks for the offer to sell one.  Perhaps you could send a picture of the clamp, if it is not too much trouble.  Then I could compare the picture to what I have.  Odd thing -- the clamp was carefully wrapped in a San Diego newspaper -- my van used to live in San Diego.  Looked all over the paper for a date, thinking that might be a clue to the age of the battery in the van.  No date.  The paper was a Viet Namese paper, part in Viet Namese, part in English.  The clamp was down beside the battery in the box.  What brand battery do you recommend, if any?  I have read that all batteries for sale at reasonable outlets are made by about four or so makers.  Don't know how accurate that is.

Dave

---- Scott Daniel  - Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote: 
> 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 
> 

--
David McNeely