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Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 06 Apr 2012, 17:54
by doivey
Hi there folks,
I have a diesel Westfalia so I have been trying to get to the leisure battery to check all looks ok.
Although having real trouble being able to access the battery housing box. However I try and manipulate the drivers seat I cannot get it to a position where I can open the flap.
On the passenger side I need to rotate the sea 180 degrees to allow access to the box ( which is empty ) The problem with the drivers side is of course the steering wheel.
Having checked on here I saw others have had the same problem, but with no real answer as to how to get to it.
I was perhaps thinking that perhaps after a respray someone had put the seats on to the turntable the wrong way around ?
Any clues?
Dave
Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 06 Apr 2012, 18:28
by chrisevans
Slide the seat off the runners. Takes all of 30 seconds. Undo the 4 13mm nuts and off comes the base. They do say you should be able to lift the flaps with seats on but I also struggled on the drivers side.
Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 06 Apr 2012, 19:21
by horns
You can revolve the seat 180 without taking it off - I've done it several times. Fold the seat back 'forwards' to fit it under the wheel. It's a bit of a squeeze, but it's easier than taking the seat out.
Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 06 Apr 2012, 21:28
by California Dreamin
The battery lid on the drivers side should open with the seat in it's normal position but just slide the seat forwards a little...I'm not sure if it is possible to fit the seat 180degrees out but it certainly sounds like this could be the case.
However, I will say that if you want good access just slide the seat off it's rails just remember the extra catch on the outter edge of the seat (door side) which allows the seats to go all the way forwards.
Once the seat is off rotate through 180 degrees so the short side is backwards then you will have the easiest access (thats if yours isn't already that way).
Martin
Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 06 Apr 2012, 21:36
by The Bobdogs
I just slide the seat forward and out it comes...simples

Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 06 Apr 2012, 22:00
by doivey
Thanks for the replies
I think I will attempt to take the seat off the runners.
Do you say it is a case of just running it forward as I tried that but it got stuck ( seemingly a device to stop it coming off accidently) I guess there is an extra catch as you mentioned do you just pull it ?
Will have a look in the morning and when I have not had a few beers.
Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 06 Apr 2012, 22:39
by California Dreamin
doivey wrote:Thanks for the replies
I think I will attempt to take the seat off the runners.
Do you say it is a case of just running it forward as I tried that but it got stuck ( seemingly a device to stop it coming off accidently) I guess there is an extra catch as you mentioned do you just pull it ?
Will have a look in the morning and when I have not had a few beers.
Yup...the safety catch needs holding at the same time.
Just means you can lean in and have a proper gander.
Martin
Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 07 Apr 2012, 12:02
by doivey
bonza - worked a treat, and a nice suprise to find what appears to be a battery in good nick !
still not the most well designed part of an otherwise fantastic conversion

Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 10 Apr 2012, 08:48
by Hacksawbob
just for future reference I have done a video on the wiki
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ca ... wivel_seat" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 10 Apr 2012, 19:08
by horns
I really don't get why everyone wants to remove the seat to do this.
Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 10 Apr 2012, 19:21
by California Dreamin
horns wrote:I really don't get why everyone wants to remove the seat to do this.
To remove the battery for one.....then to get clear access to the split charge relay...number two and finally as this is a two minute job why struggle 'three'.
Martin
Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 10 Apr 2012, 19:38
by horns
Each to their own I guess. I'll just keep revolving the seat when I need to do it. Much less of a 'struggle'.
Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 10 Apr 2012, 20:09
by California Dreamin
Horns....do me a favour....leave the seat in place and rotate it 180 and post up a picture....I have never seen it done before.
Martin
Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 10 Apr 2012, 20:32
by AdrianC
Nice one, Bob. That's a really good tutorial. I'd seen the tag on the runner, but not found the catch by the hinge.
If anybody wants to get direct to the vid without all the PhotoBucket junk getting in the way, it's at
http://vid1244.photobucket.com/albums/g ... 132303.mp4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - 24Mb, 3min vid. Open it up via that directly in your browser, then you can save a copy locally for reference.
As for rotating it - removing the steering wheel is one solution, I s'pose. I'll give it a crack tomorrow, see if it'll rotate with everything intact with our Club Joker ISRI seats. But having it out the way will definitely make life MUCH easier, weight apart.
Re: Westfalia Leisure battery access ?
Posted: 10 Apr 2012, 20:36
by horns
You don't need to remove the steering wheel. You don't need to remove anything.