I definitely agree on the marine wiring. I hate finding corrode wiring issues.

On May 1, 2012, at 12:53 PM, Derek Drew wrote:

> I chimed into the thread at
> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6013002#6013002 the
> following information.
>
> I am probably among the first to have fit such massively long-lasting
> and powerful batteries into the front two underseat locations so I am
> passing it along that it can be done:
>
> Derek wrote, in the thread:
>
> I installed under the drivers seat the Sears Platinum deep cycle
> PC31, group size 31, similar in size to Odyssey PC 2150. This battery
> has 205 Reserve Capacity, unlike the group size 65 / PC1750
> batteries, which have more like 135 reserve capacity. The group size
> 31 also beats the group size 65 with 100amp hours vs. 68 amp hours
> for the Group 65. The front seat still swivels. The battery sticks up
> higher than it normally would, but is hidden behind the grey rug. In
> order to do this installation, you have to trim the corner of the
> seat swivel (which doesn't look bad) and also trim some metal from
> the area under the driver's seat. Would I do it again? Yes.
>
> The battery under the drivers seat is Sears Item# 02850131000 Model# PM-1.
>
> Under the passenger seat, I am using the Sears group 65 size, the
> same one discussed in this thread, but I did not lay it on its side.
>
> And yes, you ideally should to upgrade your voltage regulator,
> preferably to a 3-stage regulator, not a simple fixed voltage type.
> For the actual specs to use, see the technical documentation for the
> Odyssey even if you are using a Sears battery since the charging
> voltages called for at various stages are very specific. I was able
> to program the exact 3-stage charging algorithm into my onboard
> Prosine 2.0 Inverter/Charger, but have not yet determined how to
> upgrade the alternator/regulator of my subaru 3.0L engine.
>
> -------------------
>
> All of the batteries discussed here utterly destroy the capacity of
> the group 41 batteries that were original to these locations.
>
> Because of the demands of the Inverter and the winch and warnings in
> the inverter instruction manual, I decided to use 250MCM size wires,
> (roughly 5/0 ["five aught"] size wire).
>
> The factory OEM wire showed black discoloration corrosion inside the
> jacket, so for the new wire I got marine grade tinned wire so it
> would not happen again.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Derek Drew
> Washington DC / New York
> derekdrew@derekmail.com
> Email is best normally but...
> PHONE: 202-966-7907 (Call the number at left normally)
> (alt/cell for diligent calling only): 703-408-1532