Yup, I reckon my batteries are done for!

[chockswahay]

After standing outside for 7 days with no use, no systems on etc, the panel is showing 11.9v and for the first time I have seen the warning to charge immediately. When I left the van it had just driven 120 miles that day and 180 the day before, the panel showed full and 12.8 at rest. I have suspected premature failure for a long time now and I reckon this pretty well confirms it...... they're sulphated .


They are now 4 years old. We bought the van in February 2022 from the previous owner who never used the van much. They bought the van in July 2020 during Covid when it had sat idle in the showroom for about 5 months. I think that this lack of use is when and where the damage took place. Since owning the van the batteries have never lasted more that 2 nights before needing to drive for a recharge, only one night if using the heating.

Time to blow the cobwebs off my wallet perhaps?

 

[chockswahay]

Yet the engine battery after one week (in camping mode and driver door not opened once) is good.......

 

[WelshGas]

Yet the engine battery after one week (in camping mode and driver door not opened once) is good.......
View attachment 119161

Knowing Dealerships they would routinely charge engine batteries, but leisure batteries- in your dreams. The battery man probably didn’t even know of them.

Might be worth removing each battery. Charge it for 48hrs with a smart charger, such as a ctek charger and then check voltage 7 days later. It should still be measuring 12.7v.
If one or more fails then probably time to change.

 

[chockswahay]

As a matter of interest, has any one recently fitted new replacement batteries? I can't find the

Varta 7PO 915 105 A 12V 75 ah 420A DIN 800A EN/SAE/GS

Any recommendations for replacement please?

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I went to grab some pillows from the van Monday evening and I couldn’t open the electric sliding door. Leisures dead. Proper pain. Manually slowly opened it but wouldn’t then close. Ran the engine for five minutes and that just worked.

This happened last year too but I plugged them in and they lasted another summer.
Hopefully the same again. Maybe new ones next year.

 

[Corradobrit]

As a matter of interest, has any one recently fitted new replacement batteries? I can't find the

Varta 7PO 915 105 A 12V 75 ah 420A DIN 800A EN/SAE/GS

Any recommendations for replacement please?

If I was planning to keep my Cali for an extended period such as 5+ years and needed new leisure batteries I would be tempted to splurge a little and get the LiFePO4. Some nice drop in options now. And you're likely to have some added value at sale time.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

If I was planning to keep my Cali for an extended period such as 5+ years and needed new leisure batteries I would be tempted to splurge a little and get the LiFePO4. Some nice drop in options now. And you're likely to have some added value at sale time.

Would that be a simple drop in swap or require a degree in electrical engineering?

It’s an attractive idea.

 

[yossarian]

No harm, if you have the capability, in leaving your van on hookup for a few weeks.

Lead sulphate if thin enough (which it must be if your batteries work for two days) will gradually break up and dissolve. Worth a shot vs new batteries.

 

[chockswahay]

If I was planning to keep my Cali for an extended period such as 5+ years and needed new leisure batteries I would be tempted to splurge a little and get the LiFePO4. Some nice drop in options now. And you're likely to have some added value at sale time.

A nice thought but just had tyres all round and still recovering from the trauma of getting my wallet out for that! so want to keep it 'reasonable' haha

 

[chockswahay]

No harm, if you have the capability, in leaving your van on hookup for a few weeks.

Lead sulphate if thin enough (which it must be if your batteries work for two days) will gradually break up and dissolve. Worth a shot vs new batteries.

I did that, recently and a few times last year. I think they're done

 

[yossarian]

Would that be a simple drop in swap or require a degree in electrical engineering?

It’s an attractive idea.

At a minimum you'd need to disconnect the sensors. Ideally you'd reprogram j608 with the new chemistry and capacity and leave the sensors alone.

It's certainly being done in Germany. How easily remains to be seen.

 

[yossarian]

Lithium Leisure Battery - Fogstar Drift 12v 105Ah

105ah 12v Fogstar Drift Lithium Leisure Battery | Grade A LiFePO4 cells, JBD BMS, Bluetooth, Heating | Lowest Prices in the UK. 10 Year Warranty.

www.fogstar.co.uk

I'd be really tempted to try make something like this work. 2xAGMs give you 75ah usable capacity Vs 100ah for the single LiFePO4. You'd need to replace the split charge arrangement and perhaps reroute the ehu charger to the engine battery.

But on the other hand 2 new agms will give you another decade of camping with no messing around.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Lithium Leisure Battery - Fogstar Drift 12v 105Ah

105ah 12v Fogstar Drift Lithium Leisure Battery | Grade A LiFePO4 cells, JBD BMS, Bluetooth, Heating | Lowest Prices in the UK. 10 Year Warranty.

www.fogstar.co.uk

I'd be really tempted to try make something like this work. 2xAGMs give you 75ah usable capacity Vs 100ah for the single LiFePO4. You'd need to replace the split charge arrangement and perhaps reroute the ehu charger to the engine battery.

But on the other hand 2 new agms will give you another decade of camping with no messing around.

Yup. Sounds like I’m more original.

 

[WelshGas]

As a matter of interest, has any one recently fitted new replacement batteries? I can't find the

Varta 7PO 915 105 A 12V 75 ah 420A DIN 800A EN/SAE/GS

Any recommendations for replacement please?

As fitted by VW. Other makes available but check dimensions.

LA80 Varta Professional Dual Purpose AGM Leisure Battery 840 080 080

LA80 VARTA Professional Dual Purpose AGM Leisure Battery <i>Innovation with Purpose, Premium Experience, Powerful History</i> VARTA was founded in 1887 Germany, and was established fully in 1904 by delivering the first electric vehicle battery, famously driven by Thomas Edison. Soon after, VARTA...

www.tayna.co.uk

 

[Lambeth Cali]

As fitted by VW. Other makes available but check dimensions.

LA80 Varta Professional Dual Purpose AGM Leisure Battery 840 080 080

LA80 VARTA Professional Dual Purpose AGM Leisure Battery <i>Innovation with Purpose, Premium Experience, Powerful History</i> VARTA was founded in 1887 Germany, and was established fully in 1904 by delivering the first electric vehicle battery, famously driven by Thomas Edison. Soon after, VARTA...

www.tayna.co.uk

That’s quite a good price yes?
£175

 

[Corradobrit]

Lithium Leisure Battery - Fogstar Drift 12v 105Ah

105ah 12v Fogstar Drift Lithium Leisure Battery | Grade A LiFePO4 cells, JBD BMS, Bluetooth, Heating | Lowest Prices in the UK. 10 Year Warranty.

www.fogstar.co.uk

I'd be really tempted to try make something like this work. 2xAGMs give you 75ah usable capacity Vs 100ah for the single LiFePO4. You'd need to replace the split charge arrangement and perhaps reroute the ehu charger to the engine battery.

But on the other hand 2 new agms will give you another decade of camping with no messing around.

No brainer IMO.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

After 20 hours plugged in and now unplugged.

Will see what they are like after 24 hours.

 

[Californication69]

After 20 hours plugged in and now unplugged.
View attachment 119170
Will see what they are like after 24 hours.

Good luck, I feel my batteries are not what they should be either. I’m hoping they fail within the 5 year warranty period.
VW checked them out and said they are ok.
But they would, wouldn’t they.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

A nice thought but just had tyres all round and still recovering from the trauma of getting my wallet out for that! so want to keep it 'reasonable' haha

Me too with the tyres!

 

[Californication69]

Me too with the tyres!

Ditto! £925 for a set of Agilis

 

[pluc99]

I went to grab some pillows from the van Monday evening and I couldn’t open the electric sliding door. Leisures dead. Proper pain. Manually slowly opened it but wouldn’t then close. Ran the engine for five minutes and that just worked.

This happened last year too but I plugged them in and they lasted another summer.
Hopefully the same again. Maybe new ones next year.

Does the sliding door take power from the leisure batteries? I would have thought that it was connected to the engine battery, since it's a Transporter option and not a California one.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Does the sliding door take power from the leisure batteries? I would have thought that it was connected to the engine battery, since it's a Transporter option and not a California one.

Yes I am not sure. See my other post.
I have a feeling I have somehow turned it off. I have owned the van since 2009 and I am having weird deja vu about this. I will attempt to rectify on saturday.

 

[B J G]

As a matter of interest, has any one recently fitted new replacement batteries? I can't find the

Varta 7PO 915 105 A 12V 75 ah 420A DIN 800A EN/SAE/GS

Any recommendations for replacement please?

I've been looking at batteries as mine is approaching 7 years of age and as far as I can ascertain this is the replacement model available but not double checked as yet.

Engine battery

SILVER dynamic AGM

SILVER dynamic AGM 580901080

www.varta-automotive.com

I also found a huge variation in costs quoted from RAC £525 fitted to sub £200 as a supply only for DIY fit.

Various reports on coding in from 'must be done' to it does it itself after a short period of running.
Can be done by Carista (change last digit of existing serial no) or full VW laptop diagnostics.
One article said that the main reason for VW doing it is that it date stamps installation for any future warrant age data.

 

[WelshGas]

I've been looking at batteries as mine is approaching 7 years of age and as far as I can ascertain this is the replacement model available but not double checked as yet.

Engine battery

SILVER dynamic AGM

SILVER dynamic AGM 580901080

www.varta-automotive.com

I also found a huge variation in costs quoted from RAC £525 fitted to sub £200 as a supply only for DIY fit.

Various reports on coding in from 'must be done' to it does it itself after a short period of running.
Can be done by Carista (change last digit of existing serial no) or full VW laptop diagnostics.
One article said that the main reason for VW doing it is that it date stamps installation for any future warrant age data.

LA80 for Leisure , F21 for engine.

LA80 Varta Professional Dual Purpose AGM Leisure Battery 840 080 080

LA80 VARTA Professional Dual Purpose AGM Leisure Battery <i>Innovation with Purpose, Premium Experience, Powerful History</i> VARTA was founded in 1887 Germany, and was established fully in 1904 by delivering the first electric vehicle battery, famously driven by Thomas Edison. Soon after, VARTA...

www.tayna.co.uk

F21 Varta Silver Dynamic Start-Stop Plus AGM Car Battery 12V 80Ah (580901080) (110 AGM)

F21 VARTA Silver Dynamic AGM Car Battery <i>Innovation with Purpose, Premium Experience, Powerful History</i> VARTA was founded in 1887 Germany, and was established fully in 1904 by delivering the first electric vehicle battery, famously driven by Thomas Edison. Soon after, VARTA delivers the...

www.tayna.co.uk

 

[B J G]

LA80 for Leisure , F21 for engine.

LA80 Varta Professional Dual Purpose AGM Leisure Battery 840 080 080

LA80 VARTA Professional Dual Purpose AGM Leisure Battery <i>Innovation with Purpose, Premium Experience, Powerful History</i> VARTA was founded in 1887 Germany, and was established fully in 1904 by delivering the first electric vehicle battery, famously driven by Thomas Edison. Soon after, VARTA...

www.tayna.co.uk

F21 Varta Silver Dynamic Start-Stop Plus AGM Car Battery 12V 80Ah (580901080) (110 AGM)

F21 VARTA Silver Dynamic AGM Car Battery <i>Innovation with Purpose, Premium Experience, Powerful History</i> VARTA was founded in 1887 Germany, and was established fully in 1904 by delivering the first electric vehicle battery, famously driven by Thomas Edison. Soon after, VARTA delivers the...

www.tayna.co.uk

F21 seems to be replaced by the A6 ??