VW Transporter battery size

Mooncat · Post by **Mooncat** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 12:52 pm

Lady M decided to try to get to town, but the battery was flat, after a few days of not using it. The battery is marked as a 65Ah 12 volt, which seems too small for a 2.5litre TDI automatic, especially as there is a electric platform lift, electric sliding doors, and electrically adjusted drivers seat fitted as well. Should I be considering a larger battery, or should it be enough? On charge now, will try it later.

graemet · Post by **graemet** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 2:33 pm

Sounds very small to me

I wouldn't be able to tell you what size to get but from memory a standard Merc Sprinter battery is 100Ah so the 65 which you have sounds rather small!

peter c · Post by **peter c** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:09 pm

I had the same trouble trying to find the size of battery for my lawn tractor. I used these people who were very helpful. www.tayna.co.uk

Hope I haven't upset the mods!

HTH

Peter C

Razor · Post by **Razor** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:17 pm

Halfords are doing batteries with a 5 year no quibble replacement guarantee at the moment, get one from there, cane the life out of it and get a new one.

Me and two other mates just happen to have identical batteries in our land rovers (and the same one in my transit), I must be so unlucky I've had three duff batterys from different halfords stores in the last 6 months

Mooncat · Post by **Mooncat** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:50 pm

I had put the battery on charge, it wasn't finished, but I tried to start the car at 4-30. It fired first time, battery volts was ok, then it went down to 12.6 when stopped. But with the interior lights on, I could see the voltage slowly falling. Son says the indicator on the battery shows it is failing, will finish the charging tomorrow as it looks as though we won't be going anywhere soon. I am budgeting for a new battery though. I reckon there should be a second battery as in a campervan.

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:20 pm

Buy a new one. I chuck them out at the first sign of trouble.

A 2.5 t5 ought to have an 017 battery iirc, about 90ah, 700+ cca.

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:46 pm

Hitch wrote:Buy a new one. I chuck them out at the first sign of trouble.

A 2.5 t5 ought to have an 017 battery iirc, about 90ah, 700+ cca.

You and me too.

They always let you down when you don't need the agro, I also have an automatic, so can't even bump start it.

Only about £40 anyway.

Mooncat · Post by **Mooncat** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 7:57 pm

Enquired at the local motor factors this morning. He has an 019 in stock 95Ah, at £92 inc VAT. Car started OK several times tonight after standing for 20 hours. Have to find out if radio is coded, as there may be a load that shouldn't be there, so I can check with an ammeter. I reckon a second battery, as used in motorhomes, should be fitted in view of the extra equipment installed.

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 7:32 pm

I could have sworn i posted in this last night...

I was going to suggest measuring the battery tray, and noting terminal layout, then you could buy one on size aswell.

Mooncat · Post by **Mooncat** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 7:45 pm

Took the vehicle along and got a battery of the same type number. Radio is coded so I'll have to hook up a second battery as I change over. Guy thought an extra battery for the extra equipment a good idea, but I need a wiring diagram first. There's no Haynes manual available, not enough of these vehicles sold yet, I suppose.

lockie · Post by **lockie** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:05 pm

Setting up another battery is easy enough.You need a split charge relay and another battery and away you go.The relay type you want to go for is one of the newer electronic ones that trickle charge the extra battery.this example is ideal
Take your time wiring it in or get an auto spark to do it..
I use this set up with a 3000watt invertor to power my key cutting machine or whatever tool i want to run off it.Drive around charging my power tool batteries via the invertor between jobs.

uw_photographer · Post by **uw_photographer** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 6:09 pm

I have a related problem. I have a 2009 T5 campervan conversion. I had a car audio place (I live in the Birmingham conurbation and was amazed how few car audio places I could find) fit a new radio to replace the woeful stock unit.

I had them wire the radio so it is live all the time (because I want to use the radio when we're parked up & camping)- though obviously I turn it off when I'm not using it 8)).

However, the unit seems to drain the battery- drawing about 0.5A when the van is locked and everything has gone to sleep. Twice now, I have come to the van after not using it for a week and the battery is flat (less than 4V; won't even operate the central locking).

Surely its not normal for a van to go flat if unused for this length of time?

Any advice for a newbie please?