Rob:

After a couple of trips (the last one being 2,500 miles and 12 days) I can
say that the batteries seem to be working really well.  I have a problem
that I need to figure out, and that is that if I run the fridge on 12v while
making a long drive (4 hrs+) the aux. batteries end up with less of a charge
that when I started.  This is despite the fact that they are receiving a
good charge if the fridge is NOT turned on.

Anyway, it is a wiring problem I need to sort out (unrelated to the
batteries themselves)....

The batteries are from East Penn Manufacturing
http://www.eastpenn-deka.com

I have actually received a response from them by e-mailing to
eastpenn@eastpenn-deka.com

The 8GU1H batteries are 12 volts each, and are rated as the following:
CCA@0 degrees F - 215
CA@ 32 degrees F - 310
Res Capacity - 44
Minutes to discharge at 5 amps - 325; 8 amps - 190; 15 amps - 90; 25 amps -
47
AH capacity @ 20 hour rate: 31.6
weight - 24.2 lbs.
size: 8-5/16L x 5-1/8w x 7-1/4h

Keep in mind that with my set-up, these ratings are basically doubles (for
reserve capacity)

I have them rigged in parallel, with a marine trickle charger/maintainer
plugged into the refrigerator socket so that they get a good charge when on
shore power.

If anyone wants a copy of the spec sheet, I can fax it to them - just e-mail
me your fax number.

Brent Christensen
'89 Syncro Westy "Klaus"
'95 Cherokee Sport

----- Original Message -----
From: Rob MacLeod <macleod@cvrti.utah.edu>
To: <bpchristensen@MINDSPRING.COM>
Cc: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 1999 11:56 AM
Subject: Re: Aux battery solution??!!!

>
> On Fri, 21 May 1999 11:54:20 -0700 Brent Christensen
<bpchristensen@MINDSPRING.COM> wrote:
>
> > 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...?)
>
> I did not follow up on this before--did it work well in terms of fit and
> function?  Are there some sources of this battery that you could point us
> at or even give us a way to reach the manufacturer?
>
> Thanks!!
>
> Rob.
> '87 Westy
> Salt Lake City, Utah