New Leisure Battery

[Helga]

I was wondering if you could help. I need a new leisure battery for my 1982 lhd westy but don't know the dimensions! I am staying up north with my parents and am travelling off in the van as soon as I get home next week, so need to order a battery now or buy one ASAP so as to have it for going away! Need one as cheap as possible for eber heater and CD radio... oh and a light or two. So, don't know dimensions or what sort I need! I have read the wiki help section but can't find those batteries online... is that page out of date now?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Helga the westy x

[muttley]

Here's the link for the sizes

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ca ... s_that_fit

I used Tanya Electrical Supplies, they were good & delivery was very quick: http://www.tayna.co.uk/Leisure-Batteries-C45.html

[kevtherev]

or you could measure the old battery

or even the hole it's in



you may not get a "leisure" battery that fits, so for your usage a starter battery will suffice
A UK code 096 fill fit in your battery box
Dimensions(mm)
278 x 175 x 190
and there's one here (taken from the wiki)
http://www.tayna.co.uk/096-Numax-Car-Battery-P1012.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Helga]

Hi, thanks - I got my wife to measure the hole / old battery - so that one will fit, thanks! However, she says it can't be taken out: the base of the swivel seat obstructs the removal of the battery... how on earth do you remove the thing??!! She has pushed the seat as far forward as she can, but of course that does not alter the position of the base plate...

any ideas short of removing the whole seat?!

[Helga]

Oh, and the gap is actually only about 175mm high, so maybe too lttle space anyway.

God!

[1664]

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... el#p300317" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bigherb]

Yes 096 is the biggest size that will fit but a couple of manufactures 096 batterys are taller than 175mm, (they shouldent be as 096 is a battery dimesions code, not its capacity) so check the height before you buy. No need to buy an expensive Calcuim/Calcium or Silver/Calcium battry as these charging sysyems are not designed for them a Hybrid type of battery is better and make sure it has got the VW hold down adapters otherwise it won't clamp down properly.

[kevtherev]

Oh, and the gap is actually only about 175mm high, so maybe too lttle space anyway.

God!

it will fit... mine does

actually 180mm
but with the lid on 178mm.

1664 has the other info about fitting.
if it went in ...it'll come out

[lloyd]

You will need to remove the seat from it's tracks. This is accomplished by releasing the little latch on on the side that holds it from sliding out. Then turn the swivel base around and battery will just fit. There is also a battery hold-down clamp on front of battery. Have to remove the bolt/nut and clamp. Then battery can be lifted out.

[mal0r]

Or you might get away with doing what I have to, I swivel the chair so that it's back faces the windscreen, then slide it all the way back towards the windscreen. That leaves me with *just* enough room to tilt the battery and pull it upwards.

[lloyd]

Or you might get away with doing what I have to, I swivel the chair so that it's back faces the windscreen, then slide it all the way back towards the windscreen. That leaves me with *just* enough room to tilt the battery and pull it upwards.

That always works on passenger side, but steering wheel gets in way on drivers side.
My leisure batter is on drivers side...

[Helga]

Thanks for your help guys - unfortunately, how the swivel has been attatched, it means I'll have to take the seat right out and then unbolt the swivel and remove that too! A New Year job I think!

[lloyd]

If it's a factory westy swivel base, it's welded in. After seat is removed, turn base 180 degrees so front is facing back, and there should be room to remove battery. Ours is an 88, and battery cover just clears swivel base when it is turned 180 degrees.

[Helga]

Thanks for that - I don't think there is a retaining clip either, as has been mentioned, it seems like I have to bend two bits of metal at the ends of each runner to get the seat off in the first place. It seems an unnecesarily complex procedure to get the battery off - unusually bad design given it's a VW!

[lloyd]

There is a release if you have factory seats. Kinda drawing a blank at visualizing it to discribe better. I'll try and take a pic for you later.