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PAPI Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2014 Posts: 43 Location: United States
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 6:34 pm Post subject: Battery Recommendations |
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Apparently, the PO had an issue getting this battery in (or perhaps getting the old one out?), and beat the snot out of the battery box. He also tore up the carpet pretty bad, and pieces are missing. Can't swing replacing it all right now- any remnants out there? The battery is about 6 years old, but I'd like to put in a fresh one. Any recommendations? |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9810 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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I just use a reasonably priced Group 48 -- may be hard to find at WalMart but most FLAPS have a selection.
Though in theory all Group 48s are the same size I have found that some are slightly taller -- to the point that they would not allow the lid to close -- so you may do well to measure carefully before you decide.
For carpet: If it is a Westy, many or most recover the center the center floor with anything from hardwood to vinyl or tile --this might free up some carpet for repairs.
Edit -- Upon reflection, some use a Group 41 which is possibly correct and, in any case, not as tall as a Group 48. This may account for why I found height to be a close run thing. |
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thatvwbusguy Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2007 Posts: 1712 Location: Newmarket, New Hampshire
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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I am pretty sure that Group 41 is the standard starting battery size. The most common reason that people destroy the outer perimeter of the battery compartment is because they don't know about the battery hold down clamp and try to pry the battery out of the box without removing the clamp.
This was the only damage of any kind that had been inflicted on my van when I purchased it from the original owner. When I went to replace the battery a few years later, I almost repeated the same mistake, but reconsidered my approach just before I started prying on the edge of the battery box.
The battery clamp is hidden on the far (toward the front of the van) side of the battery, down in the battery box. Remove the bolt and slide the battery clamp out and the battery should lift right out.
If there is no built in lift handle on the battery, a battery lift/carry strap that slips over the battery posts makes the process easy and helps to prevent skinned knuckles. _________________ Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion. |
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luVWagn Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008 Posts: 1340 Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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thatvwbusguy wrote: |
Remove the bolt and slide the battery clamp out and the battery should lift right out. |
this.
thatvwbusguy wrote: |
If there is no built in lift handle on the battery, a battery lift/carry strap that slips over the battery posts makes the process easy and helps to prevent skinned knuckles. |
and this!
Save the battery boxes! _________________ '91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI |
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PAPI Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2014 Posts: 43 Location: United States
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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PAPI Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2014 Posts: 43 Location: United States
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks- Finally figured out how to post an image from my Mac. The PO must have thought the battery was stuck down form corrosion or something. As I said- he also destroyed the carpet in that spot- if I can't find something, I may have enough of it to cover the top, and then I'll secure a folding step stool over the painted steel. |
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squeegee_boy Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2008 Posts: 762 Location: Langley, BC, Canada
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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"Me Zog have hard time with battery".
Holy crap
Robyn _________________ 1984 FrankenSyncro Westy. EJ25 RMW kit
1971 Super Beetle with an EJ22. Oh yes. Daily driver |
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MsTaboo Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006 Posts: 4096 Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 3:31 pm Post subject: |
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I had a van with the battery box tore up like that from the PO taking the van to cheap-o tire store and requesting the largest deep cycle battery they could put in there. They beat the crap out of it just like that picture. What a mess.
He could have had a better starting battery and gotten a leisure battery under the drivers seat for what he paid.
As far as a battery recommendation. Get the best one you can afford from a store that will still be there in five years.
Name brand batteries are generally better than fly by night El-Cheapo. _________________ Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
Help the fight against Truth Decay.
Defend democracy, support Ukraine. |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6247 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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Looks like they might have not known you need to turn the seat around too to get the battery out. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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PAPI Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2014 Posts: 43 Location: United States
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Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 7:02 am Post subject: |
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I'll probably try to block that flange and flatten it with a dead blow, which will probably lead to more paint loss. As it doesn't look like I'll be carpeting that vertical area any time soon, anyone know the paint color names/codes for my 1984 Wolfsburg? (dark brown lower half, tan(ish) upper/interior) |
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metropoj Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2004 Posts: 1343
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Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 7:37 am Post subject: |
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I picked up an Interstate Group 41 battery.
5 year warranty, year one and two are full replacement, 3-5yr is prorated. |
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Captjon1959 Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2010 Posts: 287 Location: Peoria, Illinois
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Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 7:41 am Post subject: |
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Man, that reminds me of my battery compartment. It was bent and twisted just like that. It took me a long time using a small hammer and pliers to slowly reshape it. I assumed it was just too small for the batter size and I would have a nightmare when I tried to remove it. I don't think I have a battery hold down, but I'll check. Thanks for the post. _________________ 1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg Edition
Former 1.9 L now Bostig Ford Zetec |
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Westified Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2012 Posts: 402 Location: Miami, FL
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Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 8:47 am Post subject: |
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PAPI wrote: |
I'll probably try to block that flange and flatten it with a dead blow, which will probably lead to more paint loss. As it doesn't look like I'll be carpeting that vertical area any time soon, anyone know the paint color names/codes for my 1984 Wolfsburg? (dark brown lower half, tan(ish) upper/interior) |
Here you go for the paint codes and other info on the 1984 Westy Wolfsburg.
http://westfaliat3.info/html/westfalia_1984_vanagon_camper_.html _________________ 1984 Westy Wolfsburg, owned since 1987. FAS 2.0 NA engine conversion in 2022. |
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PAPI Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2014 Posts: 43 Location: United States
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Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 9:08 am Post subject: |
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Great info Westified! Cheers! |
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6832 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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I think I may have a cover for you next week when I stop travelling to look. |
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PAPI Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2014 Posts: 43 Location: United States
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Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 5:21 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Steve- I have the battery cover, it's that section of carpet that I'd like to replace. I can't swing a complete carpet kit right now, so I thought I'd see if anyone's recently changed theirs, but kept some of the old carpeting. |
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dr. no Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2004 Posts: 578 Location: Santa Fe
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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Now we know why it's called a BATTERy. _________________ Scott
http://lungehphoto.com
'83.5 Westy s/p 1.6td JX and 4sp DK transplant--wonderful!
'86 MB 300GD
'06 MB Sprinter
'17 BMW X1
'89 Isuzu Trooper
PAST VWs:
'82 NA diesel Vanagon
'86 7-passenger Vanagon
'77 Bay
'71 Bay
'74 Things (2)
'69 Karmann Ghia (the only one I miss--in nice weather, anyway...)
'91 Fox |
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PAPI Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2014 Posts: 43 Location: United States
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Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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Here's what I ended up with- not ideal, but it'll do for now. Went with a Bosch group 41. Still have no idea what the PO was thinking- it's one thing to beat the hell out of the battery box, but he completely diced up the carpet, and big chunks were missing. Glued what I could to cover the corner, made a hinged flap for over the cover. Drawer pull from Home Depot threaded into a riv-nut, bungee, and Coleman step stool. Already proved handy!
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desertrefugee Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2013 Posts: 476 Location: Phoenix, AZ. USA
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Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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When life throws you lemons...
(nice recovery) _________________ - 83.5 Westfalia - 2.2 GoWesty "power"
- a bunch of vintage motorcycles
- Numerous telescopes of various size and function
"For I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." - Sarah Williams |
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