Does this work with conventional dual Vanagon configurations, where the
starter batter is conventional flooded and the aux battery is this one?

I have a https://www.promariner.com/en/p/44012 for shore power hook-up, as
well as a 140w flexible solar panel, to recharge aux battery.

Today, I ended up getting a T5 from Costco for $119 for my starter battery.
36 month warranty.

Still deciding on the aux battery... thanks for sharing your find!

Jack

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dennis Haynes
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2023 9:33 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 96R AGM Battery feedback

Looks like my replies are getting blocked so I'll try from scratch.

Sometimes timing can be amazing. I have a van here that has an Interstate
96R battery installed for the engine. It fits! It is shorter that the group
41, closer to the group 42 as used in the air cooled Vanagons and other VWs
like the Type 1.  Doing some research there is also a group 91 that looks to
more closely replace the group 41 normally used in the Vanagon.

Looking for AGM I was only able to find some in the group 96R. Those looking
for AGM option this should be a good choice. It may be a better alternative
for the house battery also. Although not a deep cycle design it may hold up
better than the standard group 41. If using one of the smaller AGM batteries
for the house load there may be benefit to using the group 96R AGM for the
engine to better balance the voltages when the batteries are combined for
charging. One thing to note is that AGM batteries at rest sit at slightly
higher voltage than flooded type batteries. When using voltage operated
combiners this high voltage will keep the batteries combined much longer.
This actually has some benefit but the difference in operation is
noticeable.

There also some Lithium batteries in the 40 to 50 A/H range that are
becoming quite cost competitive with AGM. I will look to try one of them
soon.

https://www.amazon.com/LiFePO4-Phosphate-Rechargeable-Off-Grid-Applications/
dp/B0BDV7MYHR/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3FJAH2S752MV5&keywords=50%2BA%2FH%2Bbattery&qi
d=1691795489&sprefix=50%2Ba%2Fh%2Bbattery%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-7&th=1

Dennis