Robin,
Deep Cycles are designed to do a different thing than starter batteries.
Basically Starter Batteries are designed to put out high amps for a very
short period of time (seconds) while Deep Cycles are designed to put out
low amps over a longer period of time (hours or days). Each will do the
other's job, but not as well and it will shorten its life if required to do
the other's job often. I think there are some dual purpose batteries out
there, but I'm not sure how well they work or if there is one to fit either
of the Vanagon holes. My experience with the rest of life is that dual
purpose things usually don't do either thing as well. By the way, Optima
does make a Starter Battery. I have an Optima Deep Cycle auxiliary battery
and am considering replacing my Starter Battery with an Optima starter
battery. Reason: The Optima is a sealed battery. Sealed batteries are
healthier because they don't give off the poisonous fumes that regular
batteries do. Even though the Starter Battery has a lid with a seal, the
seal does not appear to be air tight. Just else to consider. Optima has a
web site. You could email them or call them to get more authoritative
answers.
Good Luck
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
Lake Tahoe

----------
> From: Robin Davies <rodavies@FACSTAFF.WISC.EDU>
> To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Deep Cycle as ONLY battery?
> Date: Wednesday, December 09, 1998 8:12 AM
>
> Vanagoniacs,
>
>  Winter has finally arrived in Southern Wisconsin and my current Autobahn
> battery doesn't want to hold a charge. I currently do not have an
auxialary
> battery in my 87 Syncro Westie and as the kids and SO have no desire for
> winter camping have yet to need one(ie. heater). Previous trips we have
> managed fine with just the main battery. Thus I feel no need to put a
> second unit in. So, I ask, is there any point in using a deep cycle
battery
> as my main source of juice? Am I throwing money away by installing the
> expensive Optima cell under the passenger seat? It does get very cold in
> Madison, Wisconsin but, I haven't had trouble with starting the vehicle
> until now. Would I benefit on campouts by having a deep cycle to power
the
> camping accessories during longer stays? What's the word folks?
>
>  FYI: I have a new web-page up of Wisconsin eccentric destinations(Simple
> Pleasures in my sig. file). Check it out if you have time!
>
> R. Davies         UW-Madison         Biochemistry          Media Lab
> Bread and Butter: http://www.biochem.wisc.edu/medialab
> Simple Pleasures: http://www.sit.wisc.edu/~rodavies
> German Shepherd Rescue: http://www.swgsr.org