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childofthewind
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2010
Posts: 763
Location: Eastern Sierra
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 Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:45 am Post subject: Mice & the battery hole |
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Greetings and Happy Spring. I've been searching for an answer to this question to no avail. I've sealed all of the holes I can in my van from rodents with steel scrubbies. I still for the life of me can't figure out how or where this so-called battery venting hole is on the passenger side where my starter battery is. I know mice can get in it because the other day when I was fooling around with my amplifier which is under the passenger seat I could see some droppings down at the bottom of the box. Do I have to pull that battery out to find the hole? I thought I would be able to see it from beneath the van but I can't find any kind of hole/opening that goes up into that compartment.
Thank you!
_________________
1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1
“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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jvan
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2013
Posts: 162
Location: cascadia
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:06 am Post subject: Re: Mice & the battery hole |
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I dont recall the battery hole atleast on my van having much extra space but mice can reportedly fit through holes as small or less than .5". Pretty wild. That really opens of the door as to where else they can get in. It may have just made a pit stop in and around your battery and is coming and going else where. The things can climb and...jump apparently up to 12".
You see this?
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=432326
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tin top. |
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childofthewind
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2010
Posts: 763
Location: Eastern Sierra
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:23 am Post subject: Re: Mice & the battery hole |
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| djkeev wrote: |
Did you go to the FAQ section, go to Body, scroll down to mice and rodents? There are some very clear pictures in there that should help you.
Dave |
Yes, believe me I have spent so much time looking for this answer. It just says battery vent hole and has a picture which seems like is from beneath the box, under the van not from inside. I can't seem to find any kind of hole and I'm wondering if all vans had them. My question is pretty simple, just wondering if you have to seal it from the inside of the box, meaning do I have to take the battery out and then I will find this hole, or are people sealing it from outside and under the van.
_________________
1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1
“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville |
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JudoJeff
Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2013
Posts: 1179
Location: Near Springfield, MA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:43 am Post subject: Re: Mice & the battery hole |
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If you look into passenger side wheel well, you’ll see the vent on rear side. Looks like a cup upside down. You can stuff steel wool into it.
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________________________________________
1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout) |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:31 am Post subject: Re: Mice & the battery hole |
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The sealed battery compartment and large vent hole is only on Westies. On passenger vans there is a small rubber grommet that the battery vent tube goes through (too small for a mouse).
If you leave your heater controls open, they just climb right in. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6565
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:50 am Post subject: Re: Mice & the battery hole |
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My plan is:
1). Find battery hole
2). Remove batteries
3). Disable mouse
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6565
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:55 am Post subject: Re: Mice & the battery hole |
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| JudoJeff wrote: |
| If you look into passenger side wheel well, you’ll see the vent on rear side. Looks like a cup upside down. You can stuff steel wool into it. |
I personally think this is the leader in entry places, so ours is crammed with steel scrubbing pads.
The ribbed hose just gives hand- and footholds to the little cretins. Free Climb Rating: 5.10.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10379
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 10:59 am Post subject: Re: Mice & the battery hole |
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An image of a 1981 air cooled Westy battery box vent.
I don't know if all Vanagons have this but the lid on the passenger side (starter battery) box is sealed.
Mouse trap tips: on Victor style traps, try applying bait at underside of tray, maybe let a little poke out at top. Depending on bait type/ how it's set, mouse can eat bait of top of tray w/o triggering trap. Stickier bait may force the mouse to step harder on the tray to remove bait. I've been using peanut butter that requires mixing (oil separate). It works but last trap, mouse ate bait off top of tray until it was gone. Then it tripped the trap (got caught); it was likely trying to clean off remaining bait. Premixed PB might work better (stickier). Neighbour claims processed cheese slice works great. Maybe Cheeze Whiz? Also, Snicker bars. (super sticky).
Neil.
I can't recall if all model year Vanagons have a factory vent at top and bottom of box but this one does.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16505
Location: Brookeville, MD
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Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10379
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 11:33 am Post subject: Re: Mice & the battery hole |
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| dobryan wrote: |
| And it even comes with an extra vent hole.... |
That's a ground drain.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6565
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: Mice & the battery hole |
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We use this live trap, with peanut butter:
https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-4003/Pest-C...lsrc=aw.ds
Works within minutes, *almost* every time. We've only had to kill two mice in over 56 months on the road, only dying for being smarter than us (no great feat, that).
I figure we're invading their turf and am opposed to killing them as a first cause of action just for doing what they do.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 1:44 pm Post subject: Re: Mice & the battery hole |
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| E1 wrote: |
We use this live trap, with peanut butter:
https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-4003/Pest-C...lsrc=aw.ds
Works within minutes, *almost* every time. We've only had to kill two mice in over 56 months on the road, only dying for being smarter than us (no great feat, that).
I figure we're invading their turf and am opposed to killing them as a first cause of action just for doing what they do. |
Yeah......... we parts ways on that viewpoint!
Mice, Stinkbugs, flies, rats, mosquitos (mosquitoes??), etc...... all die a very quick death when I can do so. I have other opinions too but I don't want to stir up the ire of our PETA friends! 
Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
Last edited by djkeev on Mon Apr 09, 2018 2:07 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6565
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 2:05 pm Post subject: Re: Mice & the battery hole |
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Hahaha.
On January 4, I swatted some mosquitos away from my $1,100, 24" monitor at Salton Sea… and broke it with the tiny clip on the back of my hat!!!
SEE NOW???
Revenge of the Skeeters!
Okay, no worries, no judgment here...
Flies? Sport for the quick reflex wanter.
Ticks? They get burned.
Mosquitos? In cahoots with ticks — and thus, they get even.
My understanding is that mice have a covert deal with the IRS…
Go ahead and play that game, Big Fella. 
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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childofthewind
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2010
Posts: 763
Location: Eastern Sierra
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:19 pm Post subject: Re: Mice & the battery hole |
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Thanks for taking the time to do this, Dave.
_________________
1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1
“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville |
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