Best / compatible replacement starter battery

[monsteruk]

Hi,

I have a 2019 T6 102 horse power (specifically - VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 TDI P/V HIGHLINE BMT).

Sorry if silly question, but the OEM starter battery (Brand: Varta - Model: EFB+ 5TA 915 105 B) is on its last legs and I need a replacement. The current one has physical dimensions as follow: Length: 278 mm, Width: 175 mm, Height: 190 mm. From what I can see online, an AGM type starter battery would be a better bet than the supplied EFB one (for what seems like many reasons). However, I am getting some conflicting information online based on entering in my REG number as to whether AGM would be compatible or not with my van. When i go to ATS euro master it suggests based on my reg a an AGM battery: specifically this 096AGM 3YR/ 760A one (which interestingly is smaller than the one fitted from a physical dimension perspective). This makes me think an AGM battery would be fine. However, when I find a very similar battery online at Halfords - model AGM096 Start/Stop Battery and then enter my reg no. it says "may not be compatible with your vehicle" - and then then goes on to recommend 2 that are compatible which are both EFB batteries (not AGM option presented, even though they stock loads of them).

I will not fit myself, I shall take it somewhere like ATS, Halfords, KwikFit - as I understand that the battery needs coding to the vehicle to ensure the smart alternator does the right thing for the type of battery.

Two questions...
1. Is an AGM battery compatible / suitable / recommended for my 2019 T6 starter battery?
2. Any specific specs I should look for? A link to a good option would be great, then if they do not have that battery I can then at least get them to match the spec of it.

Thanks everyone, and sorry if a stupid question!

Roy

 

[Bigsidavies]

Yes to AGM, just find one with the same dimensions and same Ah or go bigger. I recently replaced mine with a 95 that just fits in the original space.
Read this thread and you’ll be fine.

Upgrading Starter Battery - how to guide

My van (April 2017 T28) is fitted with a Moll battery. I am experiencing some issues with it not starting after a few days sitting on the drive. Now this could be due to the tracker I have fitted draining it but I doubt it, I'll do some drain current tests before taking the plunge. If I were to...

www.t6forum.com

 

[monsteruk]

Yes to AGM, just find one with the same dimensions and same Ah or go bigger. I recently replaced mine with a 95 that just fits in the original space.
Read this thread and you’ll be fine.

Upgrading Starter Battery - how to guide

My van (April 2017 T28) is fitted with a Moll battery. I am experiencing some issues with it not starting after a few days sitting on the drive. Now this could be due to the tracker I have fitted draining it but I doubt it, I'll do some drain current tests before taking the plunge. If I were to...

www.t6forum.com

Many thanks @Bigsidavies for confirming AGM is a winner, and for the link to the other thread.

I do like the idea of a lager capacity battery, but I am not sure on any specific limits of the alternator or any possible impacts of doing it. I can see you went 95AH, I think my current (original OEM with the van from new) is a 70AH (this one specifically: https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/oenumber/5ta915105b.html). As I am not massively electrically minded (and dont understand the impacts of changing from the original spec), I will probably end up going for another 70AH one. Unless of course there are no impacts at all of going larger (alternator etc. will deal with any capacity)

Thanks again

Roy

 

[Alied]

Dimensions for the standard battery on my 2017 T6 are:

Length	315 mm
Width	175 mm
Height inc. terms	190 mm

Try this website Car Batteries - Motorcycle Batteries - Leisure Batteries - Cheap Prices!

 

[monsteruk]

Dimensions for the standard battery on my 2017 T6 are:

Length	315 mm
Width	175 mm
Height inc. terms	190 mm

Try this website Car Batteries - Motorcycle Batteries - Leisure Batteries - Cheap Prices!

Many thanks for your reply! My existing battery is defo the "fitted from new" one, and is this size: Length: 278 mm, Width: 175 mm, Height: 190 mm and there does not seem much additional room in the battery tray to accommodate anything much bigger than what is there now... I wonder if they changed it between the years? Mine is a 2019 TRANSPORTER T28 TDI P/V HIGHLINE BMT

Shall have a look on the site you linked

 

[Alied]

Remember that you will need to code the battery,more so if you are going from EFB+ to AGM.

 

[monsteruk]

Remember that you will need to code the battery,more so if you are going from EFB+ to AGM.

Yes, thanks for that re the coding, appreciated. I will likely take it to ATS or Halfords auto centre and ask they ensure they have done it (I assume they will have the required tech gadgets to do that).

Looking on the site you linked - when I put in my registration it does come up with Length: 278 mm, Width: 175 mm, Height: 190 mm being the correct size for mine, so looks like I am ok on that front!

My main question really is as to any specific specs I should look for that people know work with the T6...
1. Size Length: 278 mm, Width: 175 mm, Height: 190 mm (type 095)
2. Battery type: AGM
3. Amp hours. Current one is 70AH, not sure if 75 / 80 would be better and compatible (be selectable in the coding phase)
4. Cold Crank AMPS (CCA). Current one is 760A, assume just dont go lower....

I can then tell ATS or Halfords the specific spec of what I want.

Cheers,

Roy

 

[monsteruk]

Interestingly... Just spoke to Mr Tyre re battery. Explained current battery is a Varta EFB+ 5TA 915 105 B. So defo an EFB, but that I wanted an AGM one. He quoted for one which was great. However, I asked if they did the coding to tell the battery management computer the spec of the battery - and he said was not required for VW cars or vans. That was only needed on BMW and Audi.

Based on everything i have read on here, that is just plain wrong? I need to go somewhere else I am guessing?

 

[sparkzer]

The biggest battery that can be practically fitted is a '019 AGM' i picked up one of these - 019 AGM Powerline Start Stop Car Battery 12V 95Ah as an example but you take your own choice when it comes to brands etc but I am personally am not a battery brand snob. some even cheaper options on ebay

if you ask most suppliers, they will take your reg and supply you like for like, so they wont generally give you an option to upsize. also your tyre garage is talking out of their ass, VW also need the batteries coded - here is how its done using VCDS. - Upgrading Starter Battery - how to guide

 

[ginkster]

Many thanks @Bigsidavies for confirming AGM is a winner, and for the link to the other thread.

I do like the idea of a lager capacity battery, but I am not sure on any specific limits of the alternator or any possible impacts of doing it. I can see you went 95AH, I think my current (original OEM with the van from new) is a 70AH (this one specifically: https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/oenumber/5ta915105b.html). As I am not massively electrically minded (and dont understand the impacts of changing from the original spec), I will probably end up going for another 70AH one. Unless of course there are no impacts at all of going larger (alternator etc. will deal with any capacity)

Thanks again

Roy

Don’t over think it. The capacity has no impact on the alternator etc, it just means it holds more power so will last longer before going flat. They also have higher cranking capacity so will turn the engine over easier. There are 3 battery sizes that fit:

096 - 70ah
115 - 80ah
019 - 95ah

They are all the same depth and height (175 x 190mm) but get longer as the power increases. The 80ah is an easy fit, the 95ah is more of a squeeze but does fit.

AGM is the better technology but the EFB works fine (and comes as standard on many variants).

 

[monsteruk]

Don’t over think it. The capacity has no impact on the alternator etc, it just means it holds more power so will last longer before going flat. They also have higher cranking capacity so will turn the engine over easier. There are 3 battery sizes that fit:

096 - 70ah
115 - 80ah
019 - 95ah

They are all the same depth and height (175 x 190mm) but get longer as the power increases. The 80ah is an easy fit, the 95ah is more of a squeeze but does fit.

AGM is the better technology but the EFB works fine (and comes as standard on many variants).

Thanks @ginkster much appreciated. Those numbers are really useful, I dont want anything too OTT or tight a squeeze, so will go with either the 096 - 70ah or the 115 - 80ah I think.

Also @sparkzer good to know that the batteries do need to be coded using VCDS, so I shall ensure I pick a garage that understands how to do it!

 

[ginkster]

Thanks @ginkster much appreciated. Those numbers are really useful, I dont want anything too OTT or tight a squeeze, so will go with either the 096 - 70ah or the 115 - 80ah I think.

Also @sparkzer good to know that the batteries do need to be coded using VCDS, so I shall ensure I pick a garage that understands how to do it!

I went with the AGM 115 as it seemed a reasonable upgrade without being too cumbersome to fit. I would suggest doing it yourself and buying a Carista dongle (£25ish) to code it. It’s very simple, would save a few quid and you then have Carista for future problem solving. If you know anyone with a Halfords Trade Card their AGM115 (a rebadged Yuasa battery) is £140. Took me less than 20mins to swap and code. You will need to reset the one-shot electric windows afterwards which takes about 10secs (pull the switch up for 5 secs on each side - done)!

 

[dankenning]

Thanks for the post, I was in exactly the same situation. I've just ordered a Carista dongle and a Varta AGM 096 battery.

 

[monsteruk]

Thanks for the post, I was in exactly the same situation. I've just ordered a Carista dongle and a Varta AGM 096 battery.

In the end I went for the Varta AGM115 battery (80AH and 800CCA). Lots of the local places (ATS euromaster, kwikfit, formulae one etc.) were useless - either tried to convince me "battery does not need coding to AGM, just stick it in and go", or that "we have some diagnostics, not sure if it will work". However... Halfords Auto Centre were great. Basically said they do loads of them all the time, changing to AGM, changing AHs in settings etc. I needed tyres as well so joined their motoring club (as the member discount on the items I needed paid for the annual membership).

The Varta AGM115 battery cost me £187 all in (including fitting and coding), which based on the other prices I had been quoted seemed a good deal to me. +1 for Halfords Auto Centre.

 

[dankenning]

I went with the AGM 115 as it seemed a reasonable upgrade without being too cumbersome to fit. I would suggest doing it yourself and buying a Carista dongle (£25ish) to code it. It’s very simple, would save a few quid and you then have Carista for future problem solving. If you know anyone with a Halfords Trade Card their AGM115 (a rebadged Yuasa battery) is £140. Took me less than 20mins to swap and code. You will need to reset the one-shot electric windows afterwards which takes about 10secs (pull the switch up for 5 secs on each side - done)!

Hi. I bought the Carista dongle and tried to code the new battery, but I can't find the option to change from EFB to AGM. Do I need to pay for the subscription to get this option?