Yes, I have experience with that battery.

It is made by Interstate Batteries, and is the same one that the two winners
of the Battery Contest received from me (for free).

I think it's a super battery. I have no doubt that the two winners will also
be very happy with it.

Cheers!

Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy "Iron Igloo"
-----Original Message-----
From: Brent Christensen <bpchristensen@MINDSPRING.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Friday, May 21, 1999 4:33 PM
Subject: Aux battery solution??!!!

>Hey - I think I just hit on what sounds like a perfect solution to the
>auxiliary battery dilemma.  However, I must temper my enthusiasm with the
>thought that someone must have thought of this before and it didn't work...
>So, I figured I'd post it to the list and see if someone else has tried it.
>
>I just got off the phone with a very knowledgeable battery guy at a local
>shop (he actually guessed that I was looking for an auxiliary battery for a
>Westy when I told him the dimensions).  After pooh-pooh'ing the Optima
>yellow top (which I had called to order), he suggested a golf cart battery
>called a "U1" The dimensions he gave me are 7 3/4"L x 5 1/8" W x 7 1/4"H.
>Based on my measurements, the battery compartment will fit two of these
side
>by side, with about 1/8" of extra height (modify compartment cover with a
>ball peen hammer...?)
>
>The kicker: Price is $124 for two of them (about $50 less than an Optima),
>and together they would provide 66 AH, versus the 52 for an Optima.  They
>are sealed "gel cell" batteries, and are deep cycle.  The posts even come
>with screws for connecting them up to ring leads.
>
>Any thoughts/experience with this type of battery?
>
>
>Brent Christensen
>'89 Syncro Westy "Klaus"
>'95 Cherokee Sport
>