Replacing failed battery - the third time - Moll, Varta, UPLUS

DubiousEngineering

DubiousEngineering

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T6 Pro
This is now the third battery I have had to fit. Van is 2018. The first Moll battery was replaced under warranty with a Varta battery. They only seem to last two or three years. Fingers crossed this UPLUS battery offers a little more life. Anyone in south Gloucestershire with a VCDS so I can code it in please? Can offer tea, coffee, beer, chats and maybe £20 :)

How to video below…. Dubious Engineering on YouTube

Change your van battery
 
Thats a lot. I wonder if something is knocking them out?
 
Sasquatch said:
Thats a lot. I wonder if something is knocking them out?
Click to expand...
I get the feeling their BMS coding is too aggressive (battery management system) and wrecks the battery. When they did the warranty replacement, the engineer visiting suggested there was an issue with the moll battery, but now it’s chewed out a Moll and a Varta…. Pfft…. We best get used to paying for batteries every few years…. Pfft…
 
Im still on my original moll battery 2018 so nearly 8 years old but I've always kept it topped up with a portable folding 50w solar panel on the dash but mine is a TSI
probably after saying this the next time i use it the battery will be flat sods law
 
Yeah, I’m still on my original 2016 vintage one. It’s no doubt not what it was but I’ve never had any issues with it. It does get trickle charged from the permanent solar panel which likely helps.
 
I've just replace the battery on my 2018 van, so I managed to get that to last 7 years.

If you run these batteries flat even a few times you'll neck of the state of health.

So does your van get used regularly?


Is the battery top tap regularly over the winter months with a charger or solar?

Have you let the battery run flat numerous times?

...


It might be best to look at adding a dashtop solar panel just to keep the battery trickle charged and keep it in a good state of health?
 
Dellmassive said:
I've just replace the battery on my 2018 van, so I managed to get that to last 7 years.

If you run these batteries flat even a few times you'll neck of the state of health.

So does your van get used regularly?


Is the battery top tap regularly over the winter months with a charger or solar?

Have you let the battery run flat numerous times?

...


It might be best to look at adding a dashtop solar panel just to keep the battery trickle charged and keep it in a good state of health?
Click to expand...
This is a very interesting point! …. I’m semi retired, the van goes out once or twice a week for a couple of hours. That said, I did recently start doing this once I noticed the battery getting weaker…. Sorry for hooking you into another of my shite videos…

Topping up van battery
 
That could be you problem. When my van does get used it does proper mileage, but it can stand anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks unused so I keep itmkn a maintenance charger. Ye olde lead acid batteries dont like to sit too long without an injection of electrons, and the damage done through sulphation becomes cumulative.
 
DubiousEngineering said:
This is now the third battery I have had to fit. Van is 2018. The first Moll battery was replaced under warranty with a Varta battery. They only seem to last two or three years. Fingers crossed this UPLUS battery offers a little more life. Anyone in south Gloucestershire with a VCDS so I can code it in please? Can offer tea, coffee, beer, chats and maybe £20 :)

How to video below…. Dubious Engineering on YouTube

Change your van battery
Click to expand...
I can code it for you but I'm in South Bristol. Presently away at the moment but back next week.
 
Alied said:
I can code it for you but I'm in South Bristol. Presently away at the moment but back next week.
Click to expand...
How very kind! …. You’re the wrong side of Brizzle, I’m in stonehouse, close to Stroud, but would make for an interesting video if you have time. I’m around home a lot these days, so can accommodate most timings…. No worries if it’s a bit too long a trip! Howard
 
Dellmassive said:
I've just replace the battery on my 2018 van, so I managed to get that to last 7 years.

If you run these batteries flat even a few times you'll neck of the state of health.

So does your van get used regularly?


Is the battery top tap regularly over the winter months with a charger or solar?

Have you let the battery run flat numerous times?

...


It might be best to look at adding a dashtop solar panel just to keep the battery trickle charged and keep it in a good state of health?
Click to expand...
Oh and a massive hug DellMassive! You’ve been around on here since the year dot and soooo very helpful / informative!
 
DubiousEngineering said:
Anyone in south Gloucestershire with a VCDS so I can code it in please? Can offer tea, coffee, beer, chats and maybe £20 :)
Click to expand...
...i saw the video the other day and thought, he will want to get that coded in :eek:

my Moll efb lasted less than 3 years, but as it was during covid, i couldnt be arsed with the drama of trying to coax out any warranty from VW so just bought a cheap AGM one from Tayna (and coded it in mself). 5 years later and its still going strong :)
 
sparkzer said:
...i saw the video the other day and thought, he will want to get that coded in :eek:

my Moll efb lasted less than 3 years, but as it was during covid, i couldnt be arsed with the drama of trying to coax out any warranty from VW so just bought a cheap AGM one from Tayna (and coded it in mself). 5 years later and its still going strong :)
Click to expand...
I should look into a cheap coder unit. Not planning to change to van. Yes, looks like under use / lack of maintenance is the probable cause, however, why were they replacing Molls for free!!! Anyway, loving the new battery so far... they sent me a lithium one to replace the leisure battery!! Can't wait to fit it!!
 
You could buy a Carista, next day delivery and still be cheaper than a trip to get it coded.
 
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