With all this relay talk, I've been contemplating finishing up the aux.
battery install in my '81 Calif. Westy.  I'm using a relay from a newer
vanagon and haven't quite decided on battery type and location yet.  So,
here are my q's:

(a) do all lead-acid batteries (i.e., sealed, deep cycle, etc.) require
ventilation?  The '81 (and others, I'm sure) doesn't have ventilation holes
under the drivers seat.

(b) do more recent Vanagons have ventilation here?

(c) what are people doing to remedy the lack of ventilation in early vanagons?

(d) has anyone installed their aux. battery under the rear bench seat?  How
about ventilation options here?

(e) what are the consequences of not ventilating the battery?

thanks for the help!

-john