Second battery on options list?? Is it a leisure battery ??

[travelvolts]

OK, here is where this going to confuse the hell out of some people. Varta may make an AGM battery that has the facility to fit a vent tube, many manufacturers don't. So, if you fit a Varta battery then by all means follow their advice and fit the vent tube. If however you have a SLA battery from Trojan, Yuasa, Leoch, Optima to name but a few you will find that there is NO facility to attach a venting mechanism of any kind.
If your battery has the facility to fit a vent tube then fit it. If it doesn't don't lose any sleep about it. The amount of gas likely to be released is very tiny and would dilute in the atmosphere inside the van to insignificant levels.
The pressure relief valve on these batteries is set at 5 psi so it's not as though you are going to get huge jets of gas emitting from an overcharged battery! The reason that the Touareg has a vent tube is because the battery is fitted in a very enclosed space, the same could be argued for a factory fitted aux battery in a T4/5/6 with its rubber cover. Aftermarket installs do not have such an enclosure. Battery sheds for solar installations are very often crammed full of AGM batteries and will have less free air than the inside of a van but no venting of individual batteries.
I'm not stuck in the mud, I just base my comments on 50 years of experience working with batteries. Anybody have any stories of batteries exploding in vans?

 

[T6 Dave]

Not had one do it to me, but heard many a story of them exploding in the vehicle or on bench whilst on charge.. One happened to a very good mate, another very good mate working as a mechanic for a hire firm fitted a new AGM battery to a Transit minibus, had the owner phone him after 20 miles saying the battery was making a funny smell... It had cooked it due to a rare but faulty battery, as once changed for another new one it was ok again.. Overheated? So with the new tech etc it seems a good precaution to vent In case of a problem, at least then you have done it, and as its a habitation space I would treat it the same as an lpg install. But each to their own.. You can't force people to do it, but to say VW do it due to... And NO Gel/AGM needs it as its a re used battery case is incorrect, and paints the wrong picture for people looking for guidance! My view in it all as I have said before is to vent it or the enclosure as what exactly is the harm? And what is the cost? So stop saying or suggesting the exploding battery can never happen or is unlikely, as with all this regen stuff and VSR fitment it may well/theoretically possibly could. My crystal ball has not shown me that info, yours might be better though?

 

[travelvolts]

No crystal ball, just a lifetime of experience and training. So don't tell me stop giving valid advice when all you and your dad are doing is scare mongering unnecessarily! I am not suggesting that you SHOULDN'T vent any battery, like I say, I always supply a vent tube but it is up to the installer whether or not they fit it. I will again challenge anyone to show me conclusive evidence of any battery exploding in a vehicle due to the emission of hydrogen gas, not just a shaggy dog story about a mate of a mate.
What exactly are your credentials for offering advice Dave?

 

[T6 Dave]

@travelvolts , I too have a lifetime of experience and knowledge and training being in the trade, so pissing contest over.. I direct you to the initial comment that you made below

Looks like standard loom connectors (front to rear), 15 amp fuse for fag lighter and relays/fuses for sliding doors maybe.
The bizarre thing is the vent tube in the AGM battery!

To which I posted a link that you rubished in a very out of hand manner. Amongst more posts which you should re read..

The latest you appear to liken the fact that a vehicle habitation space is the same as a solar battery shed.. To quote a word you have used " bizarre"

Having said all that I now refuse to comment any further, as I think that I have now proved and gotten my point across, and leave it to those fitting a secondary battery to do what they will. Pissing contest ended!

 

[travelvolts]

Oh dear.

 

[travelvolts]

Taken from the Sonnenschein web site "By design, AGM's low gassing characteristics mean there are no special ventilation requirements for Power-Tech AGM's in normal use. Like Deka Gels, simple ambient air flow through limber holes or air-slots are sufficient."

Read it for yourself here Absorbed glass Mat

So, draw your own conclusions. I think it fair to say that you should seek out the information relevant to your own particular battery and follow the manufacturers advice.

 

[T6 Dave's Dad]

No crystal ball, just a lifetime of experience and training. So don't tell me stop giving valid advice when all you and your dad are doing is scare mongering unnecessarily! I am not suggesting that you SHOULDN'T vent any battery, like I say, I always supply a vent tube but it is up to the installer whether or not they fit it. I will again challenge anyone to show me conclusive evidence of any battery exploding in a vehicle due to the emission of hydrogen gas, not just a shaggy dog story about a mate of a mate.
What exactly are your credentials for offering advice Dave?

@travelvolts I STRONGLY resent being accused of scaremongering unnecessarily when what I have done is research a professional opinion, quoted by @T6 Dave, that conflicted with your opinion, suggested contacting a battery manufacturer such as VARTA as that brand was shown in a posted photo, followed that suggestion as I was being rubbished and then published that advice for all to see. Now you seem not to like me doing that, denied your own original stance and are now double-checking facts with manufacturers, something you should have done before calling people out. You dug the hole ....

 

[Caravellet6]

Suggesting courteously we let this rest...

 

[travelvolts]

@travelvolts I STRONGLY resent being accused of scaremongering unnecessarily when what I have done is research a professional opinion, quoted by @T6 Dave, that conflicted with your opinion, suggested contacting a battery manufacturer such as VARTA as that brand was shown in a posted photo, followed that suggestion as I was being rubbished and then published that advice for all to see. Now you seem not to like me doing that, denied your own original stance and are now double-checking facts with manufacturers, something you should have done before calling people out. You dug the hole ....

Don't talk tripe!

 

[tommarkwick]

Yep factory second battery with factory swivels here

This was before I added all my lighting wiring and controllers under here.

@Pauly Did you managed to decode and decipher what was what under here?

View attachment 4582

Just looked at this, Varta VW 1J0 915 105 AE Battery (1J0915105AE) - Car Batteries - Varta Car Batteries and I don't think its anything special just a 77ah starter battery.
This suits me as I have a Anderson connector on the rear and another on the seat base incase I flatten the starting battery. Though I will be fitting a blown air diesel heater at some point and extended run times could be an advantage.

Hi Could I ask please which way around this photo is taken. Does the battery sit Towards the front of the seat or the rear? Just trying to work out the orientation. Thanks

 

[Deaky]

Hi Could I ask please which way around this photo is taken. Does the battery sit Towards the front of the seat or the rear? Just trying to work out the orientation. Thanks

The battery is at the rear of the seat base.

 

[tommarkwick]

The battery is at the rear of the seat base.

Thanks!

 

[tommarkwick]

Im also hoping to get my 600W inverter in here! Anyone done it?

 

[tommarkwick]

Yep factory second battery with factory swivels here

This was before I added all my lighting wiring and controllers under here.

@Pauly Did you managed to decode and decipher what was what under here?

View attachment 4582

Just looked at this, Varta VW 1J0 915 105 AE Battery (1J0915105AE) - Car Batteries - Varta Car Batteries and I don't think its anything special just a 77ah starter battery.
This suits me as I have a Anderson connector on the rear and another on the seat base incase I flatten the starting battery. Though I will be fitting a blown air diesel heater at some point and extended run times could be an advantage.

I’m hoping to get a 600W inverter under here. It looks pretty tight. Have you got one installed now?

 

[Salty Spuds]

I’m hoping to get a 600W inverter under here. It looks pretty tight. Have you got one installed now?

An inverter creates a fair bit of heat & needs good ventilation, especially if you’re going to run it at full chat for long periods.

 

[tommarkwick]

An inverter creates a fair bit of heat & needs good ventilation, especially if you’re going to run it at full chat for long periods.

Im pretty sure the front of the seat base is open though isn’t it?

 

[Salty Spuds]

Im pretty sure the front of the seat base is open though isn’t it?

It is, but there’s a load of electrical gubbins already in there by the hole. If you’re going to shoehorn an inverter in there too, there won’t be much airflow. You might be fine, it’s just something to take into consideration when planning your installation. I have my Orion B2B under the passenger seat & that throws out a fair amount of heat, to the point where the missus can feel the “heat in her seat” ooer!

 

[tommarkwick]

It is, but there’s a load of electrical gubbins already in there by the hole. If you’re going to shoehorn an inverter in there too, there won’t be much airflow. You might be fine, it’s just something to take into consideration when planning your installation. I have my Orion B2B under the passenger seat & that throws out a fair amount of heat, to the point where the missus can feel the “heat in her seat” ooer!

Ok, I’ll wait and see what room I’ve got. I’ve already got my inverter as it’s fitted to my current T6 but this has a double bench with loads of room. Ooerrr