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thepreacher
Samba Member
Joined: April 04, 2005
Posts: 19
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 Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 7:37 pm Post subject: Which battery for a bus? |
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Anybody know which battery size is correct for a 78 type 2? Mine did not have one when I got it, so I need one and my battery supply book does not go back that far.
Thanks! |
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GeorgeL
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Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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| Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 7:52 pm Post subject: Re: Which battery for a bus? |
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| thepreacher wrote: |
| Anybody know which battery size is correct for a 78 type 2? Mine did not have one when I got it, so I need one and my battery supply book does not go back that far. |
I believe the OEM battery was the little Group 42 item made for a Bug, to make stocking easier for the dealers.
However, a Group 24 battery fits very well and will have a longer life. Don't get a Group 24F, the terminals are on the wrong ends. |
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SGKent 
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Joined: October 30, 2007
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Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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GeorgeL
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Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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| Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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Y'know, that thread isn't exactly definitive. The Group 42 is a bug battery and there is mention of the Group 41 which is about an inch and a half longer but no taller than the bug battery. The Group 24 battery has the same footprint and fits the same hold-down as the Group 42 but is two inches taller. This isn't a problem in a bus.
The group 24 is used in lots of Chevys, etc. so there is no problem finding a fresh one at any battery dealer.
They'll all work fine. The only thing to watch is the placement of the terminals. You want the the positive terminal on the left as you view the battery with the terminals toward you. |
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SGKent
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Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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NAPA and O'Reilly's both show group 42
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EZ Gruv
King of Plaid
Joined: December 10, 2002
Posts: 8544
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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I've always been able to find a group 42 in stock at Autozone.
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1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
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germansupplyscott
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Joined: May 22, 2004
Posts: 7093
Location: toronto
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| Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 4:45 am Post subject: |
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a group 48 battery is the one we use, it fits perfectly and it has lots more capacity than the original group 42, and a bit more than a 24 or 41. the flooded group 48 has something like 72Ah, the AGM group 48 has almost 80Ah. the 42 is about 60Ah. i think the 48 will only work from '75 on, the battery tray in '74 and earlier has a smaller landing area for the battery. in buses that have the slightly larger landing spot the 48 is a great battery to use, it just fits in the spot, the hold-down works properly, and the capacity is very good.
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aeromech
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Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16970
Location: San Diego, California
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| Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 8:08 am Post subject: |
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The answer is....
the biggest one that will fit the hole.
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germansupplyscott
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Joined: May 22, 2004
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Location: toronto
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| Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:24 am Post subject: |
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| aeromech wrote: |
The answer is....
the biggest one that will fit the hole. |
for sure, what i was getting at in my post that if you want the battery to land on the depression on the battery tray, and use the original hold-down, the choices are limited and for a late bus a group 48 is the largest, highest capacity battery that will fit those criteria.
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aeromech
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Joined: January 24, 2006
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Location: San Diego, California
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| Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:32 am Post subject: |
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| germansupplyscott wrote: |
| aeromech wrote: |
The answer is....
the biggest one that will fit the hole. |
for sure, what i was getting at in my post that if you want the battery to land on the depression on the battery tray, and use the original hold-down, the choices are limited and for a late bus a group 48 is the largest, highest capacity battery that will fit those criteria. |
That's a very good point. There's a bunch-o-buses running around without the batteries secured and someday the unfortunate owners might find some arcing and sparking going on back there.
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Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
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GeorgeL
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Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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| Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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Here you go. The tie-down is designed for a group 42 battery, so you just have to pick one where the length and width are within 1/8 inch or so of that size. The height can be taller in a bus.
http://www.rtpnet.org/teaa/bcigroup.html
Oh, and be sure to check the date code on the battery to make sure that it hasn't been sitting in the store for a year or two. That's one reason I favor the commonly-used Group 24.
Happy hunting! |
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heiko910
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Joined: November 15, 2013
Posts: 221
Location: Gardnerville, NV
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| Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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| GeorgeL wrote: |
Y'know, that thread isn't exactly definitive. The Group 42 is a bug battery and there is mention of the Group 41 which is about an inch and a half longer but no taller than the bug battery. The Group 24 battery has the same footprint and fits the same hold-down as the Group 42 but is two inches taller. This isn't a problem in a bus.
The group 24 is used in lots of Chevys, etc. so there is no problem finding a fresh one at any battery dealer.
They'll all work fine. The only thing to watch is the placement of the terminals. You want the the positive terminal on the left as you view the battery with the terminals toward you. |
I know this is a very old post but I have to correct it for future readers. In a late bay window the stock battery is a group 42 and on those the positive terminal is on the right (terminals facing you). So if you buy any other group battery that might fit the tray you have to get one that has the positive terminal also on the right (terminals facing you). So, what I am saying is that you want the positive terminal on the right (terminals facing you) and not the left.
I hope this will help
https://www.batteryweb.com/bci.cfm
edit in blue
Tcash |
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GeorgeL
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Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2015 8:24 am Post subject: |
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| Hmmm, interesting. So, on the late models is the positive cable longer to reach the far terminal or do they turn the battery around so the positive terminal is forward? |
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secretsubmariner
Champagne Wrangler
Joined: January 08, 2011
Posts: 3104
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2015 8:48 am Post subject: |
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| germansupplyscott wrote: |
| aeromech wrote: |
The answer is....
the biggest one that will fit the hole. |
for sure, what i was getting at in my post that if you want the battery to land on the depression on the battery tray, and use the original hold-down, the choices are limited and for a late bus a group 48 is the largest, highest capacity battery that will fit those criteria. |
Aeromech's answer is my philosophy. I also bought the longest battery cables I could find to make installation easier. Buying the battery, removing the hot air hose and the AFM, and squeezing the battery in around the oil fill, shroud etc. and then finding that your little positive cable won't quite reach the positive post is very frustrating.
That's why I have plans to cut a hole in the side and make my own custom fiberglass battery door!!
thoughts?
 LOL
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ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ
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1970 Auto Fastback FI |
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aeromech
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Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16970
Location: San Diego, California
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2015 8:52 am Post subject: |
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Hahahaha, you're fucking with us, right?
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
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DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
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secretsubmariner
Champagne Wrangler
Joined: January 08, 2011
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Location: Tulsa, OK
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Xevin
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7628
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2015 9:38 am Post subject: |
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The battery hatch idea has gotten some serious milage  
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jtauxe
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Joined: September 30, 2004
Posts: 5780
Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2015 9:45 am Post subject: |
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| GeorgeL wrote: |
| Hmmm, interesting. So, on the late models is the positive cable longer to reach the far terminal or do they turn the battery around so the positive terminal is forward? |
Ya don't want the positive terminal forward. 2 reasons: 1) The negative ground strap goes to the bolt on the body, just forward of the battery. 2) In case of a crash to the front of the vehicle, if the battery is not sufficiently secured, then the negative post will hit the metal of the body, which is OK.
Of course, if hit from the rear, then the positive of the unsecured battery crashes into the rear of the bus, so maybe this is a moot point.
The positive cable should be long enough to reach the positive battery post, which is to the rear, yes.
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Xevin
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2015 9:57 am Post subject: |
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72. Original ground bolted near the rear of the bus near the tail lights.
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| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
| Clatter wrote: |
| Damn that Xevin... |
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| I respect Xevin and he's a turd |
| SGKent wrote: |
| My God! Xevin and I 100% agree |
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GeorgeL
Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2015 11:27 pm Post subject: |
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The solution is to secure the battery properly and, if you are really paranoid, put an insulating cover on the positive terminal.
Frankly, if someone hits the rear of my bus hard enough to short the battery I'll have a lot more issues than a few sparks. |
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