Kombi second battery replacement

[tapsy]

anyone know what other battery will fit under passenger seat to replace VW supplied battery for Kombi Beach T5 '06?

the original is a 80Ah Varda, the one they say now fits is a 95Ah Varda @ $345, but are there any other brands that will fit in that space and that may be cheaper and stronger 100Ah+.

[BrianJ]

Hi Tapsy, good to see you still have your beach, so have we, and just returning home from a trip to NT.

Our original battery died last year and as we were in Broome we got the only one in town that would fit which was about the same as the original. Since then, as the original is not a deep cycle, we would also like to fit a larger and deep cycle type to our van.

I did investigate a Ritar 120Ah which would need to be laid on its side to fit in, but I am a bit hesiatant about that. Also most deep cycle do not have the lower flange for clamping so a new method of clamping would need to be found.

So the simple answer is that I am also trying to find a larger capacity battery that fits, but also want deep cycle and easy fitment.

Brian

[rob64981]

Hello Tapsy,
Not seen you on here for a while, hope things are OK?

Transporter can get batteries for your Beach he priced one for my Multi as I have the cable on its way from VW to retro fit second battery.
If he does not see this thread give him a shout.

Rob

[Transporter]

anyone know what other battery will fit under passenger seat to replace VW supplied battery for Kombi Beach T5 '06?

the original is a 80Ah Varda, the one they say now fits is a 95Ah Varda @ $345, but are there any other brands that will fit in that space and that may be cheaper and stronger 100Ah+.

Yes, you can have 100Ah deep cycle SLA batetry that is more suitable than starting battery for similar money or maybe a bit less.

[rob64981]

Yes, you can have 100Ah deep cycle SLA batetry that is more suitable than starting battery for similar money or maybe a bit less.

I told you he was the man to speak to!!!

Thanks Miro

[Transporter]

I am also trying to find a larger capacity battery that fits, but also want deep cycle and easy fitment.

Brian

I'm sure that the Optima would have a deep cycle battery with the lower flange. But it's not that difficult to bolt any battery using the bracket from the top and use the hole(s) that are there for securing the flange.

[tapsy]

second battery

after a looking around come up with what WILL fit under the seat and approx prices:

1) original Varta battery 80Ah $300 (wet cell) Not Deep Cycle (000 915 105 DH)

2) Bosch 80Ah $140 (same size) (wet cell) Not Deep Cycle (58014)

3) Varta 80Ah (wet cell) Deep Cycle $330 (956 002) (on web site states as 60Ah but have been told it is a 80Ah)


any size with larger Ah will not fit in space, mainly too long

My question is: for @ $330 would a deep cycle be better value than the $140 Bosch

I have been told that a non deep cycle does not like being run flat and after a few times will fail whereas a deep cycle can run flat and be recharged without that problem ?????

[Transporter]

after a looking around come up with what WILL fit under the seat and approx prices:

1) original Varta battery 80Ah $300 (wet cell) Not Deep Cycle (000 915 105 DH)

2) Bosch 80Ah $140 (same size) (wet cell) Not Deep Cycle (58014)

3) Varta 80Ah (wet cell) Deep Cycle $330 (956 002) (on web site states as 60Ah but have been told it is a 80Ah)


any size with larger Ah will not fit in space, mainly too long

My question is: for @ $330 would a deep cycle be better value than the $140 Bosch

I have been told that a non deep cycle does not like being run flat and after a few times will fail whereas a deep cycle can run flat and be recharged without that problem ?????

Also the battery voltage will drop faster in the starting battery than in SLA deep cycle (it means shorter running time), and some of your accessories (some fridges and 240V inverters) that you run from that battery may have the circuitry that will switch itself off to protect your battery going completely flat.

[BrianJ]

I would prefer a 120Ah deep cycle if possible, so far I can only find the Ritar and it will only fit on its side.

Brian

[tapsy]

I would prefer a 120Ah deep cycle if possible, so far I can only find the Ritar and it will only fit on its side.

Brian

G'Day Brian

What sort of money you looking at for that one?

[BrianJ]

G'Day Brian

What sort of money you looking at for that one?

Havn't priced one yet, because I am not sure about having a semi-sealed battery lying on its side.
The other alternative is to have 1 x 60Ah standard diamension battery under each front seat connected in parallel, but that would require sourcing an additional mounting tray and moving some circuits out of the way under the drivers seat, plus installing the connecting heavy duty wiring.

Brian

[Transporter]

Also Century has the battery that should fit it's; DIN100 (catalog no.), 350mm long, 175mm wide, 190 high and 95Ah, also it has 19 plates per cell (more plates - longer should battery last). It is the same battery type as the original battery, so no deep cycle but it has the higher capacity.

[t4 camper]

Brian,
No issue with SLA batteries on their side or end.
http://http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/batteries.htm
http://http://www.watts2c.com.au/index.php/batteries-deep-cycle/view-all-products.html
There are a couple of links to SLA battery suppliers in Qld, Labador and Sunny Coast.
Neil

[Transporter]

Yes, as long as they're GEL type SLA batteries. These in the pictures in that link Brian posted didn't look like GEL type to me (but I may be wrong).

[tapsy]

I would prefer a 120Ah deep cycle if possible, so far I can only find the Ritar and it will only fit on its side.

Brian

happened to talk to someone the other day and they looked at my fitment of my new battery and said they could fit without a problem a proper
deep cycle battery and commented on the dangers of a wet cell battery in compartment. (although it is vented)

I have been having problems with my new battery not lasting very long and the guy told me to remove my arrid low voltage cutout as that chews up as much amps as my fridge and seeing the waeco has an inbuilt cutout it was unnecessary. and i think i was getting a voltage drop as well because of the small gauge wiring to/from the arrid unit. anyway i hope to get a lot better performance now from the Varta it has been running for 3 days now!!! with a start up here and there.
i also added a voltage meter that i can turn off and on to see the voltage of the battery, but when this one dies i will retro fit a decent deep cycle one.