David, thanks very  much for your very complete reply.  more below.

---- David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net> wrote:

> VW in 1984 was using a sealed box with gasketed lid, venting to the
> outside for the main battery and a spring-latched door for the
> auxiliary (Konsistency?  Bah!  Let ze Americans wunder.);  by my '89
> both sides were the swinging doors, open at the front to all the
> passing breezes.

My '91 VW Vanagon GL Campmobile has a gasketed lid that has four screws to hold it in place over the battery box.  The box has a vent on the forward side that appears to exit the box on the front but then turn downward.  No swinging door, the only opening the only opening the gasketed lid, and the vent in the front wall.

Now, I too have packing to do, and will be on my way to Spokane, Washington tomorrow morning.

Sincerely, David McNeely