Ok, here's what I did.  I have 2 6v deep cycle batteries under the rear
seat.  I jot sealed Jell cell so that there would be no fumes.  They add up
to a total of 180ah together.  there is also a fludded cell version that has
225ah, but like all batteries when charged they create fumes.  I don't know
if they will fit under the seat of a westy, I have a weekender back seat and
before that, I had the standard back seat and they fit nicely.

Pete
peterz@gte.net
83.5 Vanagon

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Brent Christensen
Sent: Friday, May 21, 1999 8:54 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
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