Paint and battery advice please

[evilC]

We are now the owners of a 174 4Motion and am very happy with the way it drives

We have not been camping yet, but think there will have to be a period of adjustment as it feels smaller than the Westfalia, but once the awning out it is out, it feels different. So here's to new experiences.

My questions are (I know there are threads on the subjects but I am after more recent or specific data);

Firstly, does anyone know the name of a good paint shop in Sussex, as I have the dreaded corrosion on the front roof panel?

Secondly, can any one recommended replacement (non-VW) leisure batteries that are stocked and fit the required holes?

 

[jts46]

Batteries discussed last week so was roof corrosion. Try a search first as lots of info on here

 

[Hotel California]

Agree with the above , lots to find on the forum already .
As it is a tread on two difrrent Q's it is hard to merge with a other tread ....or else i do it for you .

My golden tip for bigginers is also searching and reading the forum becose very litlle has not beeing discussed allready on here.

Looking for a good place to have the roof done i suggest not fixing on your region/closeby but in the first place look for references on the forum of people who had theire roof done and are happy with the result.

 

[evilC]

I thought search comments were red rag to a bull
I saw the Alpha Battery explorer thread, but having read some articals about lesser batteries being dressed up as deep cycle leisure batteries, I wondered if there were any other options, with a known reputation such as Tanya, Varta etc. My reasoning is that we like to go wild camping, so no hook-up and need 3 to 4 days use between recharges.
The point about looking for a quality paint shop rather than a local one is well made. I am off the hone my "search" skills

 

[Hotel California]

If you drive some miles say each two -three days you will do perfect with the two standard lesure batteries , don't think you need to upgrade those.
If they are worn out and need replacement you could but as space is limited you can not go for bigger dimentions .
Charging on hook-up once a month @home mains will do fine.

 

[hirsty]

I have a Beach with a single leisure battery whilst I've read there are two in the Ocean (& presumably SE) - so I'm sure you'll be okay with the fridge for 3 or 4 days off-grid as mine has done 3-days okay.

- Solar is another option, with @Roger Donoghue fitting roof top panels for happy customers here, they're on my list.

- After abusing my previous leisure battery I was very surprised by the many searchable specs & detailed FAQs from online specialist battery shops. I recommend physically measuring your current batteries dimensions & looking for same shape / size / output and also reading a recent thread about 50A fuses to avoid fritzing whilst swapping.

- Plugging in at home or whilst on a site for 24-hours monthly will help prolong battery life & improve their condition, even better to use a modern CTEK charger

 

[evilC]

Thanks for your replies:
As my batteries are original 2009 and not well maintained by last owner, they do not hold charge, I want to replace them.
My concern was that the thread about replacing batteries with non-VW ones, listed xplorer by Alph Batteries and as they were unknown to me and at a price way under other AGM leisure batteries, I was wondering if they were of a less quality or mislabeled (per an old Caravan Club artical).
If I was going to stay on sites on hook-up, I would be less concerned about the quality, but as I free camp, I want to buy good quality batteries that can take 3 to 4 days in the wild or at a festival etc.
I was wondering if anyone had sourced replacement batteries from a known quality brand, other wise I will have to go down the VW route and accept that that is the cost to do what I want :-(

 

[B J G]

If you want to get fully informed on Leisure batteries have a read through this >

http://www.campingandcaravanningclu...nicalhelp/datasheets/guide-leisure-batteries/

You'll find the battery that suits you on here . Also gives all info needed to help guide you.
you will be restricted by the space that the battery fits in as to alternatives. Check your existing battery dimensions, post positions and AH rating for comparing replacements. if you can find a higher AH rating with the same dimensions etc then that would be the best solution.
regarding price I tend to look at warranty length as a guide to quality.

https://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/leisure-batteries/

 

[Binkhorstlaan]

I've read in one of the other long corrosion threads that Portslade Panelworks are where then vans get sent to from SMG Cowfold. You'll doubtless find this with a quick search ... but they will be just down the road from you and have the required VW training to do the work according to the correct VW procedure.