Replacing leisure batteries

[Billy]

I am looking to replace my leisure batteries as it looks like the previous owner did not look after them, I went into VW on Friday and they want £250.08 Each (over £500 for the pair )
I declined their offer and decided to investigate myself and the part number on the batteries is LA70 - 840070076 but the problem is they are not avilable in the UK but can be purchased in France or Germany for around 149 Euro each ( which is about £115 Pound )
Has anyone managed to source these in the UK?

 

[SimplyDubs]

Our local Varta supplier could get them previously... Don't know about now.

Worth a try.

Midland Battery Specialists 01604 630909

I wouldn't have a problem with an equivalent though, although Varta are good there are plenty of others.

 

[WelshGas]

Have you tried the Forum sponsor SMG Cowfold. The reason I suggest this is that I got the latest VW Satnav disk from them for £129 posted whereas my local VW Dealership quoted £220 + postage. Worth an email, or I used a forum PM.

 

[Billy]

Thanks, i will try them tomorrow, wonder if they can send batteries by courier?

This is the nearest I can find online but the dimensions are slightly different http://www.lake-batteries.co.uk/varta-lfd75-75ah-deep-cycle-leisure--marine-battery-609-p.asp

 

[dannosail]

The most important things for replacement batteries are size, type (lead acid, gel, AGM), voltage (12V..obviously) and Ah rating.

If your van is under warranty then you probably want a direct replacement to avoid VW issues. However if you replace with an AGM battey with at least the same or more Ah rating then the battery charger will still operate correctly. It works on voltage and current reducing the current as the voltage increaes. Other than probably being setup for the charge profile of AGM batteries, it won't know if it is a Varta or any other battery.

Quality batteries are worth the money, Varta, Bosch or similar. I have found https://www.tayna.co.uk/ very good having used their batteries for engine starting and leisure use in boats. They have a good ebay site to - sell Varta etc.

 

[pastyman]

I've also been looking at changing my batteries as they are nearly 6 years old and don't keep their charge as long as they used to. I found these alternatives which I think will fit but haven't got around to sorting this out yet.....

http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/leisure-batteries/100-ah-ultra-plus-agm-leisure-battery/
https://www.tayna.co.uk/F21-Varta-Start-Stop-Plus-AGM-Car-Battery-580901080-P8720.html

When my van comes back next week from the roof repair I will get onto this, or alternatively fit some solar panels and just keep the batteries topped up and going for a bit longer.

Let us know if you source some batteries and they fit.

 

[Andy]

I've also been looking at changing my batteries as they are nearly 6 years old and don't keep their charge as long as they used to. I found these alternatives which I think will fit but haven't got around to sorting this out yet.....

http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/leisure-batteries/100-ah-ultra-plus-agm-leisure-battery/
https://www.tayna.co.uk/F21-Varta-Start-Stop-Plus-AGM-Car-Battery-580901080-P8720.html

When my van comes back next week from the roof repair I will get onto this, or alternatively fit some solar panels and just keep the batteries topped up and going for a bit longer.

Let us know if you source some batteries and they fit.

I now also have a problem with my leisure batteries. They drop to 60%, according to the control panel in 6 hours with nothing switched on. They seem to stay at 60%. Have had them tested this morning by two different places. Both tell me they are 80% capacity & in good health.
I am now wondering if there is something causing a drain.
The rear one is disconnected, I have tested voltage & plan to leave it disconnected for 6 hours & test again. This should at lest tell me if it is holding it's charge. If so either the front one is not or there is a drain.

I have looked into replacement batteries. Like you I found the one you linked on alpha batteries site. It seems to be the correct size & AGM as well as being 30% bigger capacity, all at a good price. This is what I will replace with should I need to do so.

How have yo got on with your batteries ? Have you replaced them yet ?

I have two semi-flexible 100W solar panels which I will bond to the roof when I get time.

 

[pastyman]

I ordered 2 of the xplorer agm batteries on Thursday from alpha batteries ebay site as they were £10 cheaper as a pair, they turned up on Friday. I was initially a little annoyed as one of them was only showing 12.1v and should have been about 12.8 apparently, so was not charged up and needed 12 hours on a CTEK charger overnight.

The charger didn't indicate any issue with it so I fitted them both Saturday morning. They are identical width and length but slightly lower so fit well. I think they are actually only 90ah at 20 hours which is the true capacity for comparison. Used them for 2 nights camping with mostly just the fridge on and the display went down to 70% over that time, I was hoping for a bit better but perhaps this is right. Last night I left the van plugged in on hook up to give them both a full charge and then unplugged it this morning. I will see if the voltage drops over the next few days with no load.

I am still contemplating some solar panels as well....I liked the setup on this site www.calisolar.ch but its prohibitively expensive!

 

[Andy]

I am still contemplating some solar panels as well....I liked the setup on this site www.calisolar.ch but its prohibitively expensive!

Yes very expensive, but a good idea.

I went to fit my two panels last weekend & when I tested them first I found is not working correctly. So now have to try & get it changed.

 

[ceegee]

Appreciate that I am perhaps being really silly here, but when you talk about "2 leisure batteries" I thought there was the "vehicle" battery under the bonnet and the "leisure" battery under the wardrobe - is this not correct??

I replaced the vehicle battery last year, but looks as though the "leisure" battery is knackered, but can you just reassure me that there is only one "true leisure battery" i.e. the one under the wardrobe, and that it is this one that shows its voltage on the display panel??

For clarification my California is a 2006 (first gen) T5.

Thanks

 

[Hotel California]

Appreciate that I am perhaps being really silly here, but when you talk about "2 leisure batteries" I thought there was the "vehicle" battery under the bonnet and the "leisure" battery under the wardrobe - is this not correct??

I replaced the vehicle battery last year, but looks as though the "leisure" battery is knackered, but can you just reassure me that there is only one "true leisure battery" i.e. the one under the wardrobe, and that it is this one that shows its voltage on the display panel??

For clarification my California is a 2006 (first gen) T5.

Thanks

Did you ever took a look under the left front seat....?
Hope there' s not a big empty gap

 

[WelshGas]

The California SE has 2 leisure batteries and 1 engine battery.
Engine battery under the bonnet.
Leisure battery 1 under the Left front seat, Leisure battery 2 under the wardrobe.

 

[ceegee]

Ah, okay - you learn something everyday

So I presume the display shows the "combined" state of the 2 batteries ??

Is it good practice to always replace both batteries, even if when I have them tested, one seems in better condition that the other ??

Thanks

 

[WelshGas]

I believe it is best to replace both batteries at the same time and with the same type.
How old is your vehicle and have the batteries ever been changed?

 

[ceegee]

Vehicle is June 2006 - I've had it since Sept 2009 and I've certainly never changed them.

In recent years its only been used for circa 3 weeks each year. It goes away for 6 months in the Winter and is not charged at all during that time

So, does the display show the combined status of the 2 batteries??

A recommendation for anyone around South Yorkshire - South Yorkshire Batteries are excellent - I've used them quite a lot, and they supplied the new Varta battery for the engine bay last ear at a reasonable cost.

 

[WelshGas]

The Control panel display is for the 2 leisure batteries.
If they are original batteries from 2006 then you have done very well to keep them going this long, especially without them being topped up for 6 months of the year. VW advise that the vehicle is plugged into the mains supply monthly for at least 12 hrs at a time.
I think both batteries should be replaced. They have lasted 9 years.

 

[ceegee]

Yep, don't begrudge replacing them

 

[WelshGas]

Buying the correct California batteries from VW may be more expensive but at least you know they will be correct. However you might be able to get the correct ones from another supplier. If you are self fitting that would be fine, but if not then finding someone to fit them in the California without causing problems could be problematic and using a good Dealership might be less hassle but more expensive.

 

[ceegee]

Surely it's just contacts off and contacts on isn't it ??

I've replaced leisure batteries in large motorhomes a number of times and it was very straight forward.

The company I use supply and fit lot's of leisure batteries, so I am thinking it will be within their abilities and I fell sure they will be able to match the spec without a problem or any compromise.

I can't imagine paying £250 each from the main dealer - lets hope I don't have to eat my words

 

[WelshGas]

The one under the wardrobe is ok, if not a little confined. The one under the Left hand seat will involve removing the seat to gain access. Just be careful, lots of wires etc: The Seat has an electrical connection for the seat air-bag, not sure about the 2006 model, but make sure the Ignition is OFF until all re-connected otherwise you will have the Air Bag fault light ON and this can only be switched off by a VW Diagnostic Computer.

 

[Californiaman]

It looks like I also need to replace my batteries so I am interested if someone finds a decent supplier. Interestingly, an old friend has a caravan maintenance business and he recommends Halfords as his leisure battery supplier of choice (when armed with a discount card of course!!)

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[ceegee]

All done, using exactly the same make (Varta) and spec (they are different to a "standard" leisure battery) of batteries as would have been supplied by the main dealer

Just one difference - a big saving on the price - £310 fitted

Lifting the passenger seat out of the way whilst not disturbing the wiring was slightly tricky, but just a bit of care needed

 

[WelshGas]

Well done. Remember VW advise mains hookup monthly for at least 12 hrs. I do mine for 24 hrs.
Alternator charging cannot fully charge a battery, and on the SE, I'm not sure if it is all years, the built in charger charges all 3 batteries.

 

[Hotel California]

Did you do the job yourself , meaning lifting the seat...?
As above plug it on hookup frequent at home to extend the life of the batts.

 

[ceegee]

I paid the supplier to fit (£10), but I helped.

Holding the seat out of the way to manoeuvre the battery in and out so that you don't have to disconnect the seat heater wires is a two person job really, and the seat is pretty heavy

South Yorkshire Batteries are really good on both price and service, and always carry a large stock - they are distributors as well as retailers - I always use them