Date:         Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:58:56 -0500
Reply-To:     Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET>
Subject:      Re: Battery choices
Comments: To: Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
In-Reply-To:  <4A4755F5.5090603@pottsfamily.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

I'm on Potts's side on this thread!!

DM&FS

At 06:37 AM 6/28/2009, Greg Potts wrote:
>Hi TJ,
>
>Are you new here?  Optima batteries are a very contentious topic on this
>list; and the archives have plenty of technical discussion about them.
>
>A quick search for messages with optima as subject and warranty in the
>body got me 61 hits, going back as far as 2003.
>
>But I gotta ask this: If you NEVER have to worry about them, why did you
>have to replace one under warranty? By your own experience I see 12%
>premature failure rate.  Considering the places some people take their
>campers, a battery failure could be a very serious issue.
>
>Happy Trails,
>
>Greg Potts
>1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
>1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
>www.busesofthecorn.com
>www.pottsfamily.ca
>
>TJ Hemrick wrote:
>>All,
>>   I realize that this thread is as quick to ignite into a flame contest as
>>"which oil" or the ever popular "what tire to run" but I'm surprised no one
>>mentioned the Optima battery line for this guy.  In fact, I'm shocked anyone
>>would ever use a standard lead acid battery especially in a REAL Volkswagen
>>(ones that keep the battery in the car away from engine heat).  Regardless
>>of the fact I get a good discount at a military base for an Optima battery,
>>they have have great warranties, huge CCA numbers, you can mount them any
>>way you want, and they DON'T leak!  Yes, I would pay more at the local FLAPS
>>if I had to.  I realize some of you Westy guys have some issues with the
>>space under your seats, hey, sorry, you'll have to figure that one out.  I
>>heard they fit if you place the post forward and on top.  I can't speak for
>>the folks with seats that swivel.  I suspect you might have some problems
>>but again, you'll have to work that one.  I've run Optima reds in my Porsche
>>(86 - 911) other VW's (Jetta diesel) and the Vanagons (2-GL's and 1-
>>syncro).  The Vanagon's got the Yellow deep cycle in addition to the red
>>starting battery.  No matter what the temperature or compression, those
>>batteries pack some punch.  In fact, when replacing one under warranty, I
>>ordered a special one (no charge upgrade) with the poles reversed to fit in
>>my 911.  They're smaller, better, and I NEVER worry if the battery will be
>>an issue.  They're worth EVERY penny.  Yeah, that's 8 batteries and about
>>$1000 (not all at once!) but I'll never go back to standard batteries.  Just
>>my ,02..
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "JAIME E FORERO" <jforero@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
>>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>>Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 8:08 PM
>>Subject: Battery
>>
>>>Folks, I need to buy a battery for my 91 vanagon.  The one I am replacing
>>>is a unit from NTB and based on its performance I would rather not buy
>>>another one from NTB.  Any good experiences with batteries out there??
>>>Cheers
>>>Jaime
>>>91 vanagon, Houston