Factory fit second battery

[Ronnie Remo]

I like an idiot passed on the factory fit second battery when ordering my T6 Kombi. I have noticed inside the dual passenger seat there are some thick live wires and fuse holders, 2 of 40 amp I think from memory are these used in the installation?
My question is can I purchase all the parts that would have been used and retrofit it for myself as factory spec? Can anybody show me a photo of how the battery is clamped/ located etc?
I am wondering if the parts would be available to order in at the dealership and what parts would be needed?
Thanks in advance
Ronnie

 

[bullock]

I was actually advised AGAINST this option by my broker! They said there were much better leisure battery options available aftermarket. Others may have different opinions??

 

[Ronnie Remo]

I was actually advised AGAINST this option by my broker! They said there were much better leisure battery options available aftermarket. Others may have different opinions??

Oh really, that is interesting to know. Maybe because it doesn't have mains hookup? I will look into an After market job.

 

[T6 Dave]

With risk of starting off the whole debate again.. Look on forum ref smart charge alternator's.. This will lead you to the likes of the ctek and ring units amongst others, far superior to the factory fit bcm controlled unit...

 

[Ronnie Remo]

Oh really, that is interesting to know. Maybe because it doesn't have mains hookup? I will look into an After market job.

With risk of starting off the whole debate again.. Look on forum ref smart charge alternator's.. This will lead you to the likes if the ctek and ring units amongst others, far superior to the factory fit bcm controlled unit...

I just searched that...ha ha now I know what you mean now. Have a bit of reading to do

 

[surf-report]

I'm beginning to think about a second battery. If I don't use mine for about 10 to 14 days (its not a daily driver) the battery is flat. VW insist nothing is wrong with it, so I just keep calling VW assist out at their expense to jump it. Would a second battery help me do you think?

 

[Pauly]

I'm beginning to think about a second battery. If I don't use mine for about 10 to 14 days (its not a daily driver) the battery is flat. VW insist nothing is wrong with it, so I just keep calling VW assist out at their expense to jump it. Would a second battery help me do you think?

A second battery would help with your issue as the two batteries are separated and the second battery would not give you engine cranking power although you would have the ability to jump yourself !
It does seem strange that it consistently goes flat in such a short space of time, have you tried getting the battery tested to check its doing what it should, failing that you can get it checked for any parasitic drains that are pulling juice from the battery.

 

[surf-report]

Each time the AA jump it they check the battery and say it is absolutely fine. There is a 2 AMP drain on it when it is sitting there for about 20 minutes and then it drops down to about 0.5 AMPs. The dealer fobbed me off before so I figure to get loads of calls logged with Assistance and then take it back in a couple of months. I did jump it off the car a couple of times but now I leave to the "experts"!

 

[travelvolts]

Have you recharged the battery or just jumped it each time? If you haven't had a charger on it that will be your problem.

 

[surf-report]

Hi Travelvolts and thanks for your input - every time I have had it jumped I have then taken it for a huge run. Unless there are waves the van only really gets used at weekends and normally to visit relatives, pick up something etc so when it has been jumped the journeys have been in excess of 100 miles round trip. I think there is a definite drain somewhere and when I get a chance I will get it back to the dealers and they can hold onto it for a couple of weeks if need be.

 

[mmi]

Each time the AA jump it they check the battery and say it is absolutely fine. There is a 2 AMP drain on it when it is sitting there for about 20 minutes and then it drops down to about 0.5 AMPs. The dealer fobbed me off before so I figure to get loads of calls logged with Assistance and then take it back in a couple of months. I did jump it off the car a couple of times but now I leave to the "experts"!

If there really is drain of 0.5 Amps, it means your battery will be flat in 6 days (Battery capacity 70 Ah / 0.5 A = 140 hours) . I got an software update last September which was related to battery management. I was told that it should fix problem of flat batteries in vehicles.

A thing I noticed before update that there was a small current through all cabin/load area lights – permanently on! I just happened to notice this because I replaced all the cabin etc. bulbs with LEDs, and they were lit on (though dimly) even next morning - hours after locking the vehicle. Now that´s gone.

 

[surf-report]

Thanks @mmi your maths certainly make sense. I have fitted LED's in the back and have never noticed them glowing, but will check them again.
I have had the software update for the battery and if anything it seems to have been worse since then!

 

[travelvolts]

Taking the van for a long run will NOT charge the battery. An alternator is NOT a battery charger! Until you charge the battery properly you are chasing unicorns.

 

[Dellmassive]

Dont forget the Battery monitor(on the battery) and voltage stabilizer(by the ecu).

if you jump start the van or use a 240vac charger you are supposed to use the chassis grounding point and NOT go direct across the battery. this way the ECU can determine what charge is being put back in the battery(via J367 on the battery earth terminal).

the ECU prob thinks your battery is 80% full if the calibration is not reset.