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Swellchaser
Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2010
Posts: 92
Location: Vancouver
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 Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:51 am Post subject: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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Hey Folks,
So I am running the basic setup on my Westy, plus a small stereo with 2 speakers. Just wondering what brand/specs battery you suggest. Especially CCA & RC. Picked one up @ Canadian Tire but it's only about 565 CCA but I feel it should be more. I was in a bind and had to purchase a batter and this was the only place open at the time and they had only one model that fits the van.
Thanks |
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Perales
Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2007
Posts: 2046
Location: Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:56 am Post subject: |
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Call the CAA. (you are a member aren't you?)
I use one of their batteries and it is great. (even has a built in strap for easy removal)
They will bring it to you and install it for no charge.
They have a good guarantee as well. After 2 years I needed a boost (Kids left the interior lights on)
Since it was one of theirs, they decided that I should have a replacement and they gave me a new one on the spot.
_________________
-- 1987 Westfalia automatic (Captain Vino) |
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Swellchaser
Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2010
Posts: 92
Location: Vancouver
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:15 am Post subject: |
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No not a member But I should be..
What are the specs on your battery? |
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speedygeorge
Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2009
Posts: 235
Location: Victoria, BC
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:38 am Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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| Swellchaser wrote: |
Hey Folks,
So I am running the basic setup on my Westy, plus a small stereo with 2 speakers. Just wondering what brand/specs battery you suggest. Especially CCA & RC. Picked one up @ Canadian Tire but it's only about 565 CCA but I feel it should be more. I was in a bind and had to purchase a batter and this was the only place open at the time and they had only one model that fits the van.
Thanks |
Get rid of the crappy tire battery before it leaves you stranded somewhere, their batteries are complete crap. |
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Swellchaser
Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2010
Posts: 92
Location: Vancouver
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:41 am Post subject: |
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| What would you recommend? |
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Perales
Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2007
Posts: 2046
Location: Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:43 am Post subject: |
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| Swellchaser wrote: |
No not a member But I should be..
What are the specs on your battery? |
I am not really sure. I am away from my van for a few days, so I can't check. They arrive with a truck full of all shapes and sizes, fully charged, and will fit the correct one for you.
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-- 1987 Westfalia automatic (Captain Vino) |
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9811
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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I am under the impression (certainly could be wrong) that there are only a couple of manufacturers of batteries -- so whether you pay a lot or pay a little you may be getting a similar battery if the numbers are the same.
I have never had a problem with just a cheap battery from that store some don't like. Thoughtfully maintained and not expected to serve more than 5 or 6 years they seem fine and cost a fraction of what AAA and others get. They too have a no-hassle return policy should the battery fail prematurely.
BTW -- I do have an aux battery that runs all miscelaneous stuff so my main battery is mostly for starting, running & headlamps. |
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RCB
Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005
Posts: 4143
Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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I had an Interstate MT41 installed back in January of 2008 and its treated me fine. Has 815 cranking amps and 650 cold cranking amps. Thats just one option  |
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climberjohn
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005
Posts: 1840
Location: Portland Orygun
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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x2 on the Interstate group 41 suggestion (for a starting battery not an aux battery)
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'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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scottjk
Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2006
Posts: 485
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 5:16 pm Post subject: Bosch |
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I've started using Bosch because of their 3 year no hassle return policy.
Scott
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1985 Westfalia 2.5L EJ |
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speedygeorge
Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2009
Posts: 235
Location: Victoria, BC
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Swellchaser wrote: |
| What would you recommend? |
Interstate MT41 |
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Jamos
Samba Member
Joined: July 08, 2005
Posts: 762
Location: Lake Tahoe, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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I just did some battery research about a month ago...
Most of the Group 41 batteries you'll find have a 650 CCA rating.
You can also use a Group 48 battery. They fit in the vanagon box with no probelm, but are not as long as a 41, so you'll want a hold-down or something to fill the space so it doesn't slide around.
I found a Group 48 that had 700 CCA at my local Kragen autoparts.
Wal-mart has the cheapest prices I found, and apparently have a very liberal return policy, although my local store had no idea how it worked...
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'86 Wolfy Westy Weekender
2020 Audi Q5 |
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Orbitald
Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2004
Posts: 320
Location: Oakland, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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Wondering about the Group 48 batteries. I bought one thinking it would fit in my battery box but the battery is over 7" tall. Which is too tall for my main battery box. What am I missing?
Here is what the Interstate website says for Group 48:
11-3/8 x 6-7/8 x 7-1/5 (L x W X H)
Thanks,
David R.
Oakland CA
_________________
'87 Syncro Westfakia, 1.9TD ADE (AAZish), 068 Injection Pump, K03 turbo, 2.5" exhaust, Mercedes nozzles, SAAB Blackstone charge-cooler w/ 800cfm fan, Micro-1000 EGT sensor pre-turbo, boost at about 13psi, 235/70/16 with stock gearing |
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tclark
Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2005
Posts: 926
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Orbitald
Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2004
Posts: 320
Location: Oakland, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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Yea I read that. So many people seem to think the Group 48 fits in a Vanagon though. What gives?
Are they removing the battery box top?
Or???
D
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'87 Syncro Westfakia, 1.9TD ADE (AAZish), 068 Injection Pump, K03 turbo, 2.5" exhaust, Mercedes nozzles, SAAB Blackstone charge-cooler w/ 800cfm fan, Micro-1000 EGT sensor pre-turbo, boost at about 13psi, 235/70/16 with stock gearing |
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Stockurai
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2011
Posts: 42
Location: New Britain, CT
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| Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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Optima deep cycle batteries. they never die, and they can be tossed around.
on the expensive side, but its a gel not a lead acid.
[edit] not sure if they fit though! I still use the one my van came with!
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1990 Vanagon Transporter 2.1L [the fridge] - Daily Driver for College Commuting
| Dogpilot wrote: |
| Besides, Yuppies cannot run to a dealership and give a credit card and just buy one. You have to breath life into it, kind of like an Egyptian afterlife thing. Once you resurrect it, it becomes your buddy. It is unusual and has character. |
Last edited by Stockurai on Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Orbitald wrote: |
Yea I read that. So many people seem to think the Group 48 fits in a Vanagon though. What gives?
Are they removing the battery box top?
D |
I have a Grp 48 from Walmart called Maxx-48. Fits fine under the driver seat in an 87 westy. I did the same battery in my 91 syncro passenger van. No mods to make it fit, it fits width wise perfectly, it has a few extra inches lengthwise to fit an aftermarket isolator or what-not, and it isn't too tall. I lay something over the terminals so they don't contact the metal hinged cover plate. Pretty good specs on the battery too, closely matches the Grp 41 under the pass seat. |
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Orbitald
Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2004
Posts: 320
Location: Oakland, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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Under the drivers seat OK.
But has anybody put a Group 48 under a passenger seat?
I don't think it fits...
D
_________________
'87 Syncro Westfakia, 1.9TD ADE (AAZish), 068 Injection Pump, K03 turbo, 2.5" exhaust, Mercedes nozzles, SAAB Blackstone charge-cooler w/ 800cfm fan, Micro-1000 EGT sensor pre-turbo, boost at about 13psi, 235/70/16 with stock gearing |
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ShootingFish
Samba Member
Joined: July 25, 2010
Posts: 330
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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I went with the Interstate Group 41 also and have been really happy with it.
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SF
Props aren't just for boats....
'88 2WD ALH-TDI Westy 
'90 Syncro 16 Doka  |
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Jamos
Samba Member
Joined: July 08, 2005
Posts: 762
Location: Lake Tahoe, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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I'm running that group 48 Kragen battery I mentioned above under the passenger seat. It fits height-wise without a problem. No mods necessary.
I've been running the group 41 from Wal-Mart as my aux. battery.
Funny though, I just looked up a battery group size chart...
and they all list the group 48 as longer and taller than a 41.
The 48 I have is definitely shorter than the 41.
Weird.
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'86 Wolfy Westy Weekender
2020 Audi Q5 |
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