I bought my first T25 last Autumn, as Spring is on it's way I thought I'd better get a leisure battery fitted as there wasn't one in the hole behind the passenger seat.
My van has got replacement cab seats from a volvo fitted by the previous owner which are lovely and comfy. Only problem is they have fitted the metal seat plate over the flaps that give access to both batteries and I can't get at them. The seats move forward but the plate doesn't. Of course I didn't notice this when I bought it . You wouldn't think someone would be daft enough to cover them up would you !
I don't know what to do about this....
Should I try and get the plate cut down to give access?
or would I be best trying to get some new seats?
Thanks for the advice. I think I'll have to find somewhere to take the seats out for me. Knowing me I'd take them out and not be able to put them back in again!!
Can anyone recommend a garage in Gtr Manchester area?
Does it go all the way over the flap or just the front edge? Is this just the same as the swively seat base problem? If so you can get half sized flaps to replace yours or ven just remove them (drill out the rivets) and think of something else to cover up the hole.
Euan
Economic migrant, cultural extremist and religious bigot.
Hi Horza,
it does just go over the front of the flap - about an inch. I'd not heard of the swively seat base problem but it sounds like it is the same thing to me. Putting half sized flaps on sounds like a good idea. I wouldn't know where to start with removing the seats. They seem to have put runners on top of runners. Fingers crossed the MOT man doesn't notice!
As long as it's secure it souldn't be a problem with the MOT. A lot of seat mods are bolted to the runners and the swivles work the same way.
Half sized flaps are available on ebay I believe (Traffic Jam stoppers!?!?!) if you don't want to cut yours down. Flaps are pot riveted on. My van has no flaps and indeed most panel vans have no flaps as standard.
This might not fix the lesure battery problem as most are too tall and will clash with the seat plate anyway. As bob said the wiki has some that may fit.
Euan
Economic migrant, cultural extremist and religious bigot.
I'm still tryng to get the problem of the location on my leisure battery sorted. I've had big problems with water getting into the fuel so I had to forget about the interior for a bit!
Now that has been fixed, I've decided to relocate the battery + split charger from under the passenger seat. We have only got one place nearby that could do the work and I am waiting for them to ring me back with a quote.
The trouble is I think they will be a bit pricey (judging by what they charge for accessories in their shop).
Can anyone give me a ball park figure on what to expect to pay for this job?
RachelDaisy wrote:
Now that has been fixed, I've decided to relocate the battery + split charger from under the passenger seat. We have only got one place nearby that could do the work and I am waiting for them to ring me back with a quote.
The trouble is I think they will be a bit pricey (judging by what they charge for accessories in their shop).
Can anyone give me a ball park figure on what to expect to pay for this job?
Most garages will quote high for work on these, its because they don't want to touch them, there is more profit in doing oil and filter changes on modern stuff and charging £200 for it.
I would find another vw owner around your way who knows what to do and pay them a few quid to do it.
I've got a Autohomes Kamper so I think the layout should be the same as yours. I use a 70aH car battery for my leisure battery 'cause of the problem of size. It's not as ideal as a proper leisure one but it does us fine. Only use it for the lights really anyway. Got swivel bases on both seats and they do restrict access to both batteries. I just unbolt the seats and bases and remove them if I need to deal with the batteries, it's not that difficult to do. Have a go, you might just be surprised at what you can actually do
Paul
1990 Autohomes Kamper 1.9DG......... (Diabolical miles per Gallon)
My Autosleeper has the "swivel seat" problem. All you do is turn the seat around to face rear and the leisure battery is easily accessible. Problem comes with the driver seat as it seems best to remove the steering wheel to allow seat to be pushed back far enough to get full access to the vehicle battery.
It does seem to me that the swivel bases could have been just as easily fitted originally the opposite way round which would have avoided a lot of problems. I did change the passenger one myself and will do the driver one when I next need full access.
I listened to all your advice. Went to manbat and got the correct size leisure battery according to the wiki (by the way Manbat were great, prices very good). Got a mate to help me get to the space under the passenger seat and then... My blasted volvo replacement seats mean that the actual space is 140mm in height not 190mm when the swively seat is moved so I can gain access. And to top that some MAD previous owner has removed the split charger and all the wiring (probably when they fitted the recon engine).
I give up. I've booked it into a caravan place to get a new split charger and the leisure battery resited to one of the lockers. So hopefully after next tuesday I will finally have some lights. PLEASE keep your fingers crossed for me.
had same problem with mine,its got swivel seats in and there wasnt enough room for a good sized battery below,so i lifted the seat by 40mm i think to give me the clearance(and so me belly didnt sit on the wheel!!!!)......................
. You wouldn't think someone would be daft enough to cover them up would you ! 
