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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2922 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:39 pm Post subject: Barndoor Battery |
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I am to the point where I want to start hunting down a battery for my bus. It originally came with a Varta battery based on the documentation that came with it. The owners manual only says "6V, 84 Ampere Hours" when it comes to the battery specification.
I know that Wolfsburg West offers an old style 6V battery but it looks like it is for 1955 and later.
http://wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=zvw112
What is the correct battery designation for the Barndoor era buses and any leads on a vintage style varta battery? What are you guys running? |
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krusher Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2002 Posts: 7652 Location: europe
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 1:12 am Post subject: |
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I found this at my local car electrictians, its what they had in stock as a generic replacement for british 6volt cars like MGB's , think its somthing like 65ah. I dont think it has a flat circle area where you could fake a varta sticker either.
Oh I think i may have found what you need with a sticker swap , part number 501 is 84ah.
http://www.barden-uk.com/6-12-volt-classic-hard-rubber-batteries.html
Last edited by krusher on Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:14 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2922 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 8:24 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Krusher, that looks like an excellent lead.
First I need to find out the dimensions of the original battery so at least it is close to the same size. The one you found on the web site even has yellow vent caps (Varta colored). Here is a display model I found of an old Varta battery. I am thinking to use the Varta emblem on this guy to model a rubber "sticker" and apply it to my replacement battery.
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krusher Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2002 Posts: 7652 Location: europe
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 3:11 pm Post subject: |
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Look to me that when varta have given up making 6volt batteries they have some the mold off, and that other company have just filled up the name area to keep making them.
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j.pickens Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2002 Posts: 9791 Location: Exit 7, New Jersey
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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In the US the supplier I've seen the hot rod boys use is Antique Auto Battery. They have several 6V batteries in similar size, but with other brand markings. I'd give them a call.
http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/
_________________ Founder and Chairman Emeritus, ECMSAS
BBX BBXII and BBXXI Long Distance Award Winner
BeaterBarndoor wrote: |
i wish more people would actually drive their vws rather than just talking about what they have in the garage. |
Red Fau Veh wrote: |
If you've seen one sunroof swivel seat kombi, you've seen them all! |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2922 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:12 am Post subject: |
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j.pickens - Thanks for the link. I called those guys and they said that it would be several weeks before they could make the 6V battery as they are waiting for their supplier to provide plates. The closest thing they sell is the Lucas style battery.
It's hard for me to believe with all the Porsche and VW collectors out their that this need hasn't been addressed in the US. |
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Gerson Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2004 Posts: 1828 Location: Jupiter Fl
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Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:40 am Post subject: |
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there is a car battery maker down the street from me, he makes battery's any way you want them....send me some detailed pics/dimmensions, maybe they will tackle this.... _________________ that's not patina, that's fucking rust man!!!!
we (klassicfab) make the funky green panels........... |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2002 Posts: 1243
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Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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I have a og Bosch battery just like in the above pic ( has the yellow/red caps and stamped red/yellow logo)that I found in a old vw shop. If it's any help for dimmensions pm me. |
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beetleboy58 Samba Conquestador
Joined: February 27, 2006 Posts: 1073
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:55 am Post subject: |
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Gerson wrote: |
there is a car battery maker down the street from me, he makes battery's any way you want them....send me some detailed pics/dimmensions, maybe they will tackle this.... |
I guess you can get anything you want "down the street" in columbia..... |
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Gerson Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2004 Posts: 1828 Location: Jupiter Fl
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:58 am Post subject: |
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my shop is located in an area of the city where you can locate just about whatever you need.... there are a ton of machine shops, shops that make rubber car parts, a square kilometer where they sell nothing but steel, and the machines needed to work that steel, car battery makers, foundries, and model makers where you can get any part replicated in a couple of days, chrome shops, upholstery shops, you name it......it's manufacturing heaven.. _________________ that's not patina, that's fucking rust man!!!!
we (klassicfab) make the funky green panels........... |
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Rusting Hulk Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2002 Posts: 646 Location: Malvern UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:27 am Post subject: |
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Not sure if original batteries are offered for 356's but a lot of the vendors sell 6v Optima batteries, with a 'cloaking device' to make it look original. Not really an option if you looking to run an exact replica of the varta battery but a good option if you want a good battery that lasts and gives good performance.
see www.foreignintrigue.com _________________ 64 356 C Coupe |
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25horseboxer Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2006 Posts: 210
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:43 am Post subject: |
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The "optima" and "orbital" 6 volt batteries are pretty much just half the 12 volt full size battery. So a little to long....... |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2922 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies and the options.
1. Does anyone know what Type or size battery is correct for '54?
2. I know it is 6V and 84 AMP/hr but does that battery rating give you a certain physical size?
3. What is the solution for the cover? |
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bigbulli Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2000 Posts: 575 Location: ENGLAND
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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Gerson wrote: |
my shop is located in an area of the city where you can locate just about whatever you need.... there are a ton of machine shops, shops that make rubber car parts, a square kilometer where they sell nothing but steel, and the machines needed to work that steel, car battery makers, foundries, and model makers where you can get any part replicated in a couple of days, chrome shops, upholstery shops, you name it......it's manufacturing heaven.. |
Soungs like England 30+ years ago before we sold out... _________________ 1954 Barndoor
1955 Oval |
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RockStock Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2004 Posts: 3929 Location: England
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69830 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2922 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the great info. ....
I checked my parts list manual and it has the following info.:
P/N 211 915 405 is for bus No. 20-117902 to 216 190 000 (Post barndoor '55 to Nov. 1956)
P/N 113 915 405 is for bus up to 20-117901
There are 5 different battery straps listed at different lengths. Some are for 12V option and a higher amp 6V battery.
Last edited by Anchovy on Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:40 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2922 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:33 am Post subject: |
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I got this reply from Barden in response to my inquiry. I sent the VW manual photo and gave the 6V, 84Amp/Hr rating.
Sounds like it is a UK battery reference 501, but I do not know if you use the same numbers in U.S.
6v 84ah dimensions 226mm long 175mm wide x 220mm high maximum.
Regards,
Julie Kenny
Sales & Distribution Administrator
Barden UK Ltd
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 570770
Fax: +44 (0) 1489 579913
www.barden-uk.com / www.rolls-europe.com |
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2922 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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Here are a couple nice shots from the 1950 and 1953 owners manuals, respectively. Both photos come from Tonny's informative web site. Thanks Tonny!
What's nice about these shots is that it shows the battery cover. Notice that one looks like it has a gray top, the other black.
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Anchovy Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2000 Posts: 2922 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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Here is a close up of the Varta tag that come with my bus. It lists the different size batteries available from Varta. I don't know which one came with the bus but I do know that the 3 De 4 battery is 6V and 56 Ah.
Here is a scan from January of 1954 owners manual. Notice that the battery cover has the insulating particle board riveted to the steel, rather than the later covers that have the board crimped in place with tabs. Also note that the cover has three cut-outs for cables where one is not used. Ev's later early bus cover only has 2 cut-outs as well as those shown in post 55 bus manuals.
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