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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9811
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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 Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:54 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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| Schuylersister wrote: |
| ...It had a date on it for 7/21 making it one year old already, so I didn't buy it... |
I'm under the impression that stores (esp the FLAPS) routinely 'update' those stickers when they recharge batteries in stock. So the sticker may or may not indicate a date of manufacture. |
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siolence
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2013
Posts: 7
Location: Bendish
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| Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 11:40 am Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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| I got 10 years out of the Budget Battery I have in my 84 tin top. Just checked Costco here in Bend and they have the Interstate T5 for $110. Seems like a good deal considering prices of things these days. |
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j10nbom
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2007
Posts: 262
Location: Philly
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16893
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2024 3:55 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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So just for the sake of confirming, a T5 will fit in a westy and allow the cover to fit on without a problem, correct?
My 10-year-to the month old Group 41 is about to go tits up so before it does I want to make sure a T5 fits ok...it looks like it will but just wanted to check
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7930
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:16 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| So just for the sake of confirming, a T5 will fit in a westy and allow the cover to fit on without a problem, correct? |
Correct. I've got a relatively new T5 currently in the battery box, which replaced the 5-year-old T5 I originally installed in 2018. Plenty of room in there, horizontally and vertically.
Old one (didn't bother with pics of the new one):
Just be sure, as with any battery, to insulate the + post.
_________________
~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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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16893
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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^^^
Thanks for the confirmation...I was actually going off of your post but didn't know if you were able to get the cover back on or not.
I will be ordering a T5 in the morning. Thank you!
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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GreggK
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2008
Posts: 898
Location: Colorado/Philidelphia
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Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10379
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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| Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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So it seems even the T6 is shorter than the stock size. (41):
https://www.interstatebatteries.com/products/mt-91/t6
Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16893
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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| GreggK wrote: |
T6 fits in there just the same. Also more CCA's.... just saying...
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I saw your post, but will it fit with the westy crap? looks like yours is a passenger van and not all boxed in like a westy
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| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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GreggK
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2008
Posts: 898
Location: Colorado/Philidelphia
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| Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:55 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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Yes skills mine is a 7 passenger, but I think the dimensions are same as the T5. I'd have to check, but it's definitely shorter than the 41, with the width and height the same.
_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady |
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7482
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2024 9:19 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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The T6 is 36mm longer than the T5 and 15mm shorter than a Group 41. All three are 175mm tall and 175mm wide.
| 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 |
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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khughes
Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2013
Posts: 747
Location: Phoenix AZ
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2024 1:38 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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FYI all - just had to order a GRP 41 from NAPA for my '86 westy. Imagine my joy when I found out it wouldn't fit  Miserable thing had "wings" for lack of a better description on each end. And no handle of course  Had to hack saw the wings off to make it fit, but still tight, and still > than the BCI listed dimension.
_________________
'86 Westy FAS GenV Turbo (Marvin) |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7482
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2024 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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| khughes wrote: |
| FYI all - just had to order a GRP 41 from NAPA for my '86 westy. Imagine my joy when I found out it wouldn't fit Miserable thing had "wings" for lack of a better description on each end. And no handle of course Had to hack saw the wings off to make it fit, but still tight, and still > than the BCI listed dimension. |
I've wondered how precise those dimensions are in that table. Someone else posted here about having to grind flanges off of a Group 41 battery to make it fit.
Did you install the battery with a strap around it to ease removal in the future? Heck, an skinny old belt would work.
| jalan wrote: |
Do you ever want to remove your battery only to realize you don't have one of those handy battery straps that picks it out of that tight battery box on your Vanagon? Sure a couple of pair of vise grips on the terminals work,
OR try putting one of these simple straps around your battery the next time you have it out.
I made a couple from some 1" wide webbing I had sitting around.
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Or buy one of these to assist?
Regardless, all batteries should be made with handles.
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16893
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2024 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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| khughes wrote: |
| from NAPA... |
So a T5 and T6 from napa were about the same price (my cost) which was an eyewatering 175 bux and the T6 had 700 cca vs 600 cca of the T5
2 year warranty, after that you're on your own.
Got one from Worldpac (their house brand) a T5 with 650 cca.... so no idea but it was still an eyewatering 127 bux
I'm not cheap...but fuck me...I remember not all that long ago a battery (my cost) was 80-95 bux max and lasted an honest 8 years
Anyway...it is what it is
I still stand by buying the biggest cheapest battery that will fit (unless you have something exotic that is on the CAN BUS) because everything is junk now
And this is coming from a dyed in the wool interstate guy....who lost faith in them about 12 years ago when I handed the guy a battery and the one he handed me was noticeably lighter. I called him on it and he just smiled....
nope...we're done....
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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GreggK
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2008
Posts: 898
Location: Colorado/Philidelphia
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2024 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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I'll say those prices are better than what is available in my area. When I lived in Colorado, I would buy my group 41 battery from Walmart, with a 2 year replacement deal, and just before that was up, I'd go back in with the receipt and get a free new battery with no questions asked. Granted, I lived in a small, touristy town where most of the locals knew each other and helped each other out how ever we could.
_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7930
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2024 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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| jimf909 wrote: |
| khughes wrote: |
| FYI all - just had to order a GRP 41 from NAPA for my '86 westy. Imagine my joy when I found out it wouldn't fit Miserable thing had "wings" for lack of a better description on each end. And no handle of course Had to hack saw the wings off to make it fit... |
Someone else posted here about having to grind flanges off of a Group 41 battery to make it fit. |
Why struggle with a 41 when smaller, equivalent-CCA batteries are available? No offense to y'all, but I don't get it. 
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| Got one from Worldpac (their house brand) a T5 with 650 cca.... so no idea but it was still an eyewatering 127 bux |
$127 is a bargain today. If you think car batteries are expensive, you haven't seen deep cycle marine batteries. 
| GreggK wrote: |
| When I lived in Colorado, I would buy my group 41 battery from Walmart, with a 2 year replacement deal, and just before that was up, I'd go back in with the receipt and get a free new battery with no questions asked. |
My T5 EverStart failed to start the van last year, but new jump-pack fired it right up. Took said 5-year-old T5 to WalMart to get a new one. Despite being well beyond its 3-year warranty, the counter guy's tester showed it being good. I told him that the voltage when I removed it was 12.3; his tester showed something like 12.7. The tester also showed the CCA was below 600. No matter; battery tested good and wouldn't accept it.  So, it's sitting in my garage, being used to test electrical devices because I haven't bothered to attempt a core return... yet.
_________________
~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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khughes
Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2013
Posts: 747
Location: Phoenix AZ
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:46 pm Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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| kamzcab86 wrote: |
| jimf909 wrote: |
| khughes wrote: |
| FYI all - just had to order a GRP 41 from NAPA for my '86 westy. Imagine my joy when I found out it wouldn't fit Miserable thing had "wings" for lack of a better description on each end. And no handle of course Had to hack saw the wings off to make it fit... |
Someone else posted here about having to grind flanges off of a Group 41 battery to make it fit. |
Why struggle with a 41 when smaller, equivalent-CCA batteries are available? No offense to y'all, but I don't get it. |
This is the first time I've "struggled" with a Grp 41. The pics on the NAPA site don't show the stupid wings on it either.
_________________
'86 Westy FAS GenV Turbo (Marvin) |
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Nitramrebrab72
Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2018
Posts: 490
Location: France
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| Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2024 1:20 am Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| GreggK wrote: |
T6 fits in there just the same. Also more CCA's.... just saying...
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I saw your post, but will it fit with the westy crap? looks like yours is a passenger van and not all boxed in like a westy |
If the hinge is as new then No!!!.
If the hinge /battery cover has been mangled then it's ugly
( but it could be possible to fit a spacer between the hinge and the lip and it would look ok)
If there is no hinged cover then yes .
On a westy you can get away with it , the hinge has often been unscrewed then it is hinging just on the carpet which is baggy at the pivoting point and then it will kind of fit but you will need to fit a rubber patch over the battery terminal and push down on the cover at first if you want to rotate the seat. |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7482
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2024 11:40 am Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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| Quote: |
| 2 year warranty, after that you're on your own. |
| Quote: |
| I would buy my group 41 battery from Walmart, with a 2 year replacement deal, and just before that was up, I'd go back in with the receipt and get a free new battery with no questions asked. |
| Quote: |
| Took said 5-year-old T5 to WalMart to get a new one. Despite being well beyond its 3-year warranty, the counter guy's tester showed it being good. I told him that the voltage when I removed it was 12.3; his tester showed something like 12.7. The tester also showed the CCA was below 600. No matter; battery tested good and wouldn't accept it. Rolling Eyes |
Warranties are getting shorter and enforcement is getting tougher. When I retuned a T5 to Walmart last year the battery proved to be weak but they were balking at replacement because it was not the original equipment size. The manager got involved, saw that they didn't offer a Group 41 and approved the warranty exchange (on a pro-rated amount).
Analysts at corporate have looked at warranty replacement costs and return policies are being revised to bring those costs down which means shorter warranty periods, elimination of pro-rated periods and stricter enforcement.
This means we need to be better about maintenance when the batteries aren't being used.
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
|
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3061
Location: MD
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2024 6:37 am Post subject: Re: Suggested Battery for Westy |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| I'm not cheap...but fuck me...I remember not all that long ago a battery (my cost) was 80-95 bux max and lasted an honest 8 years |
Hey, 1994 was 30 years ago, FYI. 
I recently put an Odyssey AGM in one of my e30s and paid over $300. That sucked, but my experience with AGM batteries has been 10 years of life. I'm done with Interstate lead acid batteries lasting 4 years and still paying $200 for them.
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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