Biggest battery you can shoe horn in a diesel?

[v-lux]

You should be getting more like 14v from the alternator Jed.

As long as the cable you replace it with is proper chunky (by that i mean considerably bigger than the vw spec cable) you'll be alright.
I couldn't believe how much the voltage and amps increased by just replacing the cable.

[Aidan]

should be cranking more like 14.7V

[pocolow]

On my standard 1.6td set up the voltage gauge usually registers between 13.95v -14.1v for the starter battery, whereas the leisure battery gets 13.5-13.9v (and its new).

[v-lux]

Those voltages sound just about spot on. The leisure is probably getting a little less due to voltage drop across the split charge system.

Aidan, if ur getting 14.7 it'll damage ur battery. If it's a standard lead acid battery it's max voltage is 14.4v before it starts gassing...

[Aidan]

apologies, but around 14V is what you want from a good one according to my alternator man, just checked mine and it's 14.1V at the alternator, 13.9 at the battery

[jed the spread]

wel i checked with mu supplier today and he reckons the biggest battery you can get in there is a uk number "249" which is 100a/hr and 720 cold cranking amps. thats a biggy.

What do you recon to this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 284wt_1141

jed

[peasant]

What do you recon to this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 284wt_1141

jed

You'd want to measure the available space well before buying ...height 225 mm and sticky-out poles !

Btw ...does the DoKa have more height in the battery compartment than a van? ... might have ...

When measuring, remember to leave some room for actually maneuvering that big fella in there. The battery compartment is quite spacious ...access might prove tricky though

[jed the spread]

I will have a good measure Dokas do have more room due to the raised load bed area.

jed

[v-lux]

I know it seems unlikey, but i'm pretty sure last time i was in GSF, i saw they had Bosch batteries for less money than the equivalent Halfords job.

Could be worth a look....

[Aidan]

Just bought a Bosch Silver 75 for £54 at EuroCarParts - that's a wbx under the seat job - but worth checking what they've got if convenient to you

[..lee..]

that varter looks the kiddy. same part no as i was quoted but with more cca and a little less a/h.

price including postage seems fair. give me a ring if you want me to check the trade prices for you. i`m in work tomorrow.

[jed the spread]

Right... got the day off today so I am on a battery hunt.

Bosch 019 with 830ccamps with 4 year warranty

Halfords = £129 in store, £116 online
Langley Motor Factors down the road = £123
GSF Kingston = £74.50


I am off down GSF and save myself the £54.50. That is quite a big saving

jed

[footstuck]

From memory the 100A on mine was taller and didn't fit under the floor supports.
I was told at the shop that 100A were all taller.
I cut off the rear hold down claw (the welded-in one) and turned the battery through 90%.
and then slid the new and much longer 100A into the free space behind the light cluster.
You can still use the bolt-down bracket for the engine bay end,
but the end tucked in the hole behind the light unit has to be fabricated.

Have a look Saturday if your'e going.

[jed the spread]

Not going to the laneing thing on Saturday now. I have however found that the 830amp battery is to long to fit under the lip in the body work and catches on the + terminal. Bugger.... Back to the standard size I guess

jed

[mikeymancs]

Hi Jed,

Do you mind me asking which battery you went for and where you got it from in the end?

Cheers
Mike