Leisure Battery

[vwduncan]

Finally I've managed to get myself a T25 after lots of searching. It's a 1982 2l Aircooled in white. It has main hook up but no leisure battery. Could someone let me know (i'm not very technical!!) whether it's straight forward to get one fitted. There's space under the passenger seat where i've been informed thats where it would go? I live in Chester so would I be best to visit Steve at Gasure? I've heard so many people say he's the man who can.
Thanks in advance for any advice

[eatcustard]

Welcome

Yes it fits under passenger seat.

and speak to Steve at Gasure, he is the dogs dangles

and show us some pics of your new toy

[vwduncan]

Hopefully I've added the picture correct

Thanks for your advice

[ghost123uk]

Hey, vwduncan, I live in Chester too ( you may have seen my white tin top camper around and about )

I am no stranger to electrics and if you need a hand with fitting or getting the leisure battery give me a ring. (01244 566280, 9 till 6 Monday to Friday and ask for John re VW club 80-90 matters )

[Gunslinger]

You will struggle to find a leisure battery that will fit under the passenger seat. Many of us just use a standard starter battery under the seat and use that as a leisure battery. If you do a search there has been a lot of talk re this in previous threads

[eatcustard]

There are some 70Ah batteries out there that fit

[purplecrocs]

slight post hijack here... but related... can you safely jump start from the leisure battery? Just a thought that crossed my mind, dont need to do it (yet...!)

[ghost123uk]

slight post hijack here... but related... can you safely jump start from the leisure battery? Just a thought that crossed my mind, dont need to do it (yet...!)

Simple answer is NO

They are not designed to supply that level of current without damaging themselves.

.

[ermie571]

Purplecrocs....I stand to be corrected but I remember reading on here somewhere if you are using a standard starter battery, then yes you can (i physically swap them round, but that's just me), but if you have a deep cycle leisure then no you can't.

Em
x

[Gunslinger]

slight post hijack here... but related... can you safely jump start from the leisure battery? Just a thought that crossed my mind, dont need to do it (yet...!)

No you cant and thats another good reason for having a starter battery rather than a leisure one

[ghost123uk]

I use a normal battery as a leisure battery but the trick is to make sure it can never run flat (i.e. get below 11.5 Volts) as this is very bad for a normal battery. It is too easy to forget one night and leave the TV etc on when you go to sleep, so I have a very simple circuit and a relay that cuts the "spare" battery off when it drops to 11.5 volts.

Using a "normal" battery does mean I can use it as a jump start battery if I, or anyone else, needs one

[purplecrocs]

interesting... how do I know if I have a starter or a leisure battery... whats the difference?

[ghost123uk]

interesting... how do I know if I have a starter or a leisure battery... whats the difference?

If it is a leisure battery it will say on it, or it may say "Camping battery" or similar.

If it is a normal battery it will often, but not always, quote the "cranking power" (usually in the region of 200 amps)

[vwduncan]

Thanks very much for the offer might just take you up on that and even if you wouldn't mind calling round/meeting up to have look at the van would be great.

[ghost123uk]

Thanks very much for the offer might just take you up on that and even if you wouldn't mind calling round/meeting up to have look at the van would be great.

No problem.

We are away this weekend at the brilliant Malpas Steam and Vintage rally

But after that, feel free to call on the number quoted, (working hours), and I will come and have a look, early evening, in return for a cup of tea