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Tue Feb 25, 2025 5:40 pm

Hi!

Is anybody using this battery as their starting battery?

I need to replace my Interstate, and I wanted to go with an AGM battery, so that's why I'm interested in the EverStart platinum as opposed to the Everstart Maxx battery. I know the Everstart Maxx T5 will fit underneath the passenger seat, but I wonder if the Everstart Platinum will.

On a side note, what AGM batteries are folks using without modifying the battery bay under the passenger seat?

Thanks!

Tue Feb 25, 2025 5:47 pm

Adding on with a relevant question - I was about to replace my battery with an Everstart group 41 battery. What is the difference between a T5 and a group 41 battery? A cursory ChatGPT ask shows its just dimensions, and that the Group 41 is longer but slightly shorter in height.

Given the T5 is taller, does this still fit under the passenger seat? 41 seems to be the gold standard around here for max CCA (650 is the most i have seen)

Tue Feb 25, 2025 5:58 pm

floodwood wrote: Adding on with a relevant question - I was about to replace my battery with an Everstart group 41 battery. What is the difference between a T5 and a group 41 battery? A cursory ChatGPT ask shows its just dimensions, and that the Group 41 is longer but slightly shorter in height.

Given the T5 is taller, does this still fit under the passenger seat? 41 seems to be the gold standard around here for max CCA (650 is the most i have seen)

You'll get more info here:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=769848

Basically, it's getting harder to find quality Group 41 batteries, so many Westy owners are going with the T5. The Everstart Maxx T5 has been used by some owners without a problem. At least, the height isn't a problem. The T5 is not as wide as the Group 41 so you may need to deal with that.

Tue Feb 25, 2025 8:35 pm

floodwood wrote: Adding on with a relevant question - I was about to replace my battery with an Everstart group 41 battery. What is the difference between a T5 and a group 41 battery? A cursory ChatGPT ask shows its just dimensions, and that the Group 41 is longer but slightly shorter in height.

Given the T5 is taller, does this still fit under the passenger seat? 41 seems to be the gold standard around here for max CCA (650 is the most i have seen)

I asked GPT 4.o and this was the response:

T5 vs. Group 41 Battery Differences

Size (Dimensions)
The T5 Battery (European size, also called H5 or L2) is approximately 9.5" (242mm) L × 6.9" (175mm) W × 7.5" (190mm) H, while the Group 41 Battery (BCI standard, common in older European and American cars) measures about 11.0" (278mm) L × 6.9" (175mm) W × 6.9" (175mm) H.

Capacity & Performance
A T5 (H5) typically has a lower capacity (around 50-65Ah) and cranking amps (CCA) usually between 500-650 CCA. In contrast, a Group 41 battery is slightly larger and often has a higher capacity (60-75Ah) with CCA ranging 500-700 CCA.

Terminal Placement & Fitment
Both have similar terminal placements, but Group 41 is longer, which may affect fitment. The T5 is commonly found in newer European cars (VW, Audi, BMW, etc.), while Group 41 was used in older European and American vehicles (some Ford, GM, VW models, etc.).

Key Takeaways
If replacing a T5 (H5), a Group 41 might not fit due to length. If your vehicle originally used a Group 41, a T5 might fit but could have less capacity. Always check battery tray size and terminal orientation before swapping.

Personally, I use the Sam's club Duracell T5. 3 year warranty and they're typically nicer to deal with than Walmart guys when it comes to warranty.

Wed Feb 26, 2025 12:40 am

SoquelDude wrote: I know the Everstart Maxx T5 will fit underneath the passenger seat, but I wonder if the Everstart Platinum [H6] will.

T5 (Group 96R):
Length: 9.6 inches
Width: 6.88 inches
Height: 6.88 inches

H6 (Group 98R):
Length: 10.94 inches
Width: 6.89 inches
Height: 7.48 inches

Group 41:
Length: 11.56 inches (293 mm)
Width: 6.94 inches (175 mm)
Height: 6.94 inches (175 mm)

H6 is the same size as T5 except longer, but is not as long as a Group 41. Should fit without issue. Edit: Had H5 instead of T5 in the dimensions list. #-o Mark is correct; H6 is taller and won't fit.

Wed Feb 26, 2025 3:58 am

The H6 is taller than a T5 and sticks up out of the battery box by 1/2" or so.

Mark

Wed Feb 26, 2025 10:47 am

crazyvwvanman wrote: The H6 is taller than a T5 and sticks up out of the battery box by 1/2" or so.
Thanks. I should have compared dimensions before starting this topic. My bad!

But is anybody using an AGM battery? If so, what brand and what group?

BTW, I did an AI-based search to see what DIN group was closest to BCI Group 41. It said H6 was, but that's obviously wrong. Dumb-ass AI!

Wed Feb 26, 2025 10:58 am

Which AI engine are you using?

Here is my result - https://chatgpt.com/share/67bf5612-47e4-8009-9ada-4eebe024aeac

Wed Feb 26, 2025 11:08 am

shagginwagon83 wrote: Which AI engine are you using?

Here is my result - https://chatgpt.com/share/67bf5612-47e4-8009-9ada-4eebe024aeac
I used WIn10 Copilot. When I asked the same question you asked, it gave me this:

"Hal, which DIN group was closest to BCI Group 41

The DIN group closest to BCI Group 41 is DIN H5. The dimensions of BCI Group 41 are approximately 11.5625 x 6.9375 x 6.9375 inches (293 x 175 x 175 mm), which is quite similar to the dimensions of DIN H5."

I asked a similar question to HAL this morning and it told me again H6. Now, it always tells me that H5 is closest. It must have been reading my lips while I was in the pod!

So, it looks like an H5 will work.

Thanks!

Wed Feb 26, 2025 11:28 am

Who needs AI? Here's another thread on batteries:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
jimf909 wrote: This table shows equivalencies between BCI (Battery Council International, Chicago, USA based: Group 41, etc.) and DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung...German Standards:T65, H5, etc.). If Group 41 is the max size that fits, you're looking for something smaller than 293mm x 175 mm x 175 mm.

BCI's website (mostly for fun)...
https://batterycouncil.org/page/ABOUTUS

Wed Feb 26, 2025 11:35 am

Thanks, Jim! Even H5, which AI told me closest to Group 41, is too tall. So, you're right: I'll manually look at DIN groups and not take the "easy way".

Wed Feb 26, 2025 1:35 pm

The challenge with fitting a battery in the Vanagon battery box is the height. The vas majority of BCI and DIN batteries are taller than the 175mm (6 15/16") height and it looks like The EverStart AGM is only offered in the taller sizes (if I'm reading that right).

WalMart is only asking for a $20 (12%) premium for AGM over FLA (floded lead acid) and the AGM comes with a 4 yr free replacement warranty v. 3 for the FLA. The added year of warranty alone might be worth the $20.

Here are more BCI and DIN battery sizes:
https://www.batteryequivalents.com/bci-battery-group-size-chart.html