I got my replacement battery for the 86 Westfalia from Walmart (~$48 USD).
Just look up the vehicle type on the display at the store for the
replacement model number.  It has 810 - 850 cranking amps at 32 degrees F
and 650 at 0 degrees F.  Fit in better than the Sears Diehard that was in
there - now that was a bitch to get out!

Karl Vochatzer

sh@INTERLOG.COM on 09/02/97 12:48:31 PM

Please respond to sh@INTERLOG.COM

To:   Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU
cc:    (bcc: Karl G Vochatzer/AMR)
Subject:  Battery Size??

We drained the battery on this weekend's camping trip (Silent Lake
Provincial Park - very pretty) after only a few hours of using the tape
deck and interior lights).  This was the first time this has happened, even
though it has been through much heavier use.

After a boost to get us going,  we took it into a local mechanic who put it
on a load tester, and confirmed that the alternator was charging fine, but
the "battery was gone".

The VW orignal battery read 500 amp cranking power.  We tried fitting an
850 amp aftermarket in, and with a lot of squeezing and bending of the
metal lip on the well, it did just go in, but the top terminals were too
high.

VW dealer say the replacement is a 650 amp VW original.

Can anyone advise of a higher output unit that fits in the well.  Also, did
we really have to unbolt and remove that passenger seat?  It seemed the
only way to get full access to the well.

Thanks

Steven Heller
Toronto, Canada