Hi all,

A few years ago, I bought an Advance Auto Parts - labelled Optima red top battery for my Vanagon.  I thought it was strange that it had to be placed on its side (with poles up and forward) in order for the polarity to match the cables.  Oh well, it is spillproof, so I did that and it has been fine ever since.  I just found out, when I went to buy an Optima redtop for my 97 Passat TDI, that the pole cables are also in the same configuration as the Vanagon.  Basically, the European standard puts positive on the left when the terminals are away from you, and the American standard puts negative on the left.  If you want to buy an Optima redtop for the European standard, you have to order the Optima type 34R, part number 8003-151.  This way, you can use it standing up in your battery well.

Michael