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IdahoDoug
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10248
Location: N. Idaho
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 Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:49 am Post subject: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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We are headed out into the snowy boondocks, so yesterday I bought a new battery for the Van and discovered far fewer places have the stock 41-4 size for the Vanagon. Interestingly, our local WalMart had them on blowout and the guy says they're not restocking it. So it was $75 and I wanted to alert the herd.
Unfortunately, they were out.
Fortunately the WalMart 10 miles away had them.
Unfortunately that WalMart did not get the blowout price from HQ so I had to pay $99.
Fortunately, NAPA's price was $127 so it was still a good deal.
So, the manager at the place I bought said they'd probably see the price change for March 1 in case any of you need a battery at this time. $75 is pretty cheap money, and I may go back and buy another when they're on sale and finally get around to installing a house battery under the driver's seat.
Doug
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 3796
Location: VA/TN
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:58 am Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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Thanks Doug.
If you are interested in seeing if your local Walmart has the EverStart 41-4 Battery for $75, use the link below.
https://brickseek.com/walmart-inventory-checker/?sku=16782701
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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IdahoDoug
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10248
Location: N. Idaho
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:35 am Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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Thanks! That's a great way to let others see if they can go snag one of these. They're 650CCA/800CA and fit perfectly. The last one made it almost 6 years and that was with some accidental abuse of fully discharging, etc.
With this model disappearing from several mfr's lines we'll have to start a Samba thread on alternate batteries that fit. At some point there will need to be a retro fit with side pole battery cables to fit a modern side pole battery in there.
Doug
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32598
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22648
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:56 am Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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| djkeev wrote: |
I wonder how they will handle warranties???  ............
Dave |
If you buy *** in a box with a warranty .....
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.ssS! |
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9800
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 11:09 am Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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Interesting app there - I see a locaiton down the road a bit with 2 for $60 @.
Last time I got a replacement I had to go with a T5 which easily fit:
My experience with WalMart battery warranties has been all positive. I would expect they would treat you fairly or better. At the very least I expect you would get what you spent (full or pro-rata based on time interval). |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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joetiger 
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 11:45 am Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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| Ahwahnee wrote: |
My experience with WalMart battery warranties has been all positive. I would expect they would treat you fairly or better. At the very least I expect you would get what you spent (full or pro-rata based on time interval). |
Same here. I've always bought batteries from Wal Mart because if you ever find yourself with a battery issue, Wal Mart is everywhere.
(Special thanks to the fine employees of Dumas, Texas and Silverthorne, Colorado for a couple of emergency battery exchanges over the years.)
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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Timwhy
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4002
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 1:38 pm Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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My Walmart 41-4 battery was dying at the end of December and I bought one of the last two they had in inventory for $75.
Took the dying one back a few days later to have them load test it and it was cooked but still under warranty and got the
second as a replacement.
Warranty is simple, they scan your battery and tell you when you purchased it and go from there if they can do anything for you.
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary
http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32598
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 3796
Location: VA/TN
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 1:52 pm Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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| djkeev wrote: |
They can provide all the warranty papers they can print, it if they no longer make the battery, what will they replace your bad one with??
Dave |
A refund IMO
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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djkeev
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shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 3796
Location: VA/TN
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 2:14 pm Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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Well, I bought a boom box from Best Buy with an extended warranty. It broke, so I took it back to find they had discontinued the item all together. They gave me a full refund almost 1.5 years later (not for extended warranty). I definitely got my extended warranty moneys worth
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7918
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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| IdahoDoug wrote: |
| With this model disappearing from several mfr's lines we'll have to start a Samba thread on alternate batteries that fit. |
| Ahwahnee wrote: |
| Last time I got a replacement I had to go with a T5 which easily fit: |
My Cabriolet was originally equipped with a Group 41. The AAA guy a few years ago did not have one in his van, but installed an H5 instead, which is a much better size (not nearly as wide). After seeing this topic, I ran down to my local WalMart since my van's AAA battery is 6 years old and is showing signs that this will probably be its last year of service.
My nearest WalMart (and there are about 5 in a 5-mile radius) had 3 Group 41's sitting on the shelf, marked $99. Of the three, two were missing their handles and one appeared to have been used and returned.  They also had my Cabriolet's H5 and Ahwahnee's T5. So, I put a Group 41, H5, and T5 on the floor to compare them all:
The T5 is the same height as the 41, but not as wide. The H5 is the same size the T5, but is slightly taller. Both the H5 and T5 have slightly lower flanges at the bottom than the 41. All three have 650 CCA's.
As shown in the photos, the 41 (Plus) has just a 2-year warranty, whereas the T5 and H5 (Maxx) both have 5-year warranties.
While the $75 deal would have been super-nice, I factored in size and warranty and just bought two T5's (the Cabriolet's battery is leaking acid... not putting that one back in after I paint the battery tray -- for a second time -- this weekend).
[You'll see in one photo a big "41" with $74.88, but that's actually for a Group 75 at this WalMart.]
_________________
~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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Timwhy
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Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4002
Location: Maine
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danfromsyr
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 8:15 pm Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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taking names and kicking batteries..
the world needs more women like Kam 
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| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7918
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:02 pm Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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| danfromsyr wrote: |
taking names and kicking batteries..
the world needs more women like Kam |
Thank you, but I would've preferred kicking someone's ass. Upon finally arriving home I found a red sugary beverage splashed all over the left rear corner of my clean, white GTI... all over the roof, all over the C-pillar, all over the hatch, and inside every crevice therein.  What the world really needs is more respectful, more considerate, and less morally-bankrupt people. But I digress... 
Back on topic: I'll probably need to make (or buy) a new battery clamp for the new smaller battery since the original clamp is being used on the aux battery. Will find out whenever I get around to installing this new T5.
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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IdahoDoug
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10248
Location: N. Idaho
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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Nice comparo.
So, my fresh new 41-4 is sitting in my Van in the garage. We were supposed to be out in a bit of a risky winter camp near the Canadian border but literally as we were 5 minutes from turning the key, our host frantically called. Both the LandCruiser and the Van were fully packed right down to shovels secured to their roofs.
He had to drive an hour back out to get cell coverage and let us know by phone tree that they were unable to get in to their land. There has been too much snow and the access road is blocked. So we will reschedule. They will spend the night in their truck up there and then they're thinking about walking some gear back in to the camp. But that's not too appealing to us as we'd have to leave our vehicles (currently set up for sleeping in the cold temps) out on the dirt road, and have to sleep in tents a few hundred yards away.
Argh. That's the strangest feeling. I was up till midnight last night checking on the Van and finishing packing gear. Then we suddenly had no plans whatsoever. We thought about trying to go somewhere else but winter camping is a whole different animal up here. You can't get off the plowed roads, so it's pretty limited. You might drive out to an area you'd like to camp, but not be able to get off the road due to the plow berm. And we are supposed to get a 48 hour snow event, so it was going to be an adventure with other seasoned folks and vehicles together to help get each other out. But not a good idea to venture off alone. Ah well.......
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9800
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:24 am Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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| kamzcab86 wrote: |
| ...I'll probably need to make (or buy) a new battery clamp for the new smaller battery... |
As I recall I also stuck something (probably a short 2x4, possibly a paperback copy of Ulysses) alongside the T5 to fill the space. |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7918
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2018 5:37 pm Post subject: Re: WalMart discontinuing the Vanagon size battery - $75 alert. |
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| Ahwahnee wrote: |
| kamzcab86 wrote: |
| ...I'll probably need to make (or buy) a new battery clamp for the new smaller battery... |
As I recall I also stuck something (probably a short 2x4, possibly a paperback copy of Ulysses) alongside the T5 to fill the space. |
Since I have lots of it laying around, I used PVC pipe. 
Turns out, following my instinct was a good thing. Went to start the van a bit ago to take it for an emissions test and <click, click, click>. Battery wasn't dead, but didn't have enough juice to start. Wrangled out the old giant Group 41 and put in the smaller T5... as with my Cabriolet, this size is much preferred! Vroom! Fired right up... and passed its emissions test!  (I trimmed the plastic terminal caps to fit with cables installed for added protection.)
You can rule out the H5/47, at least for a Westy... would be too tall. Thanks, Ahwahnee, for mentioning the T5! 
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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