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Transit custom 2015 L1H1 2.2L battery question - AGM

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Transit custom 2015 L1H1 2.2L battery question - AGM

Postby hfac1988 » Sat Jan 08, 2022 11:00 pm

Hi,

I have a transit custom 2015, 2.2L diesel, L1H1. I've part converted into a day van/light camper and would like to upgrade the batteries. Currently it comes with 2x 80AH batteries, they measure 315mm x 175mm x 175mm. However I'm looking at whether I can upgrade them to two AGM batteries but they measure 315mm x 175mm x 190mm (tall).
I've been in the back to have a rudimentary look and it looks like there's around 1 finger joint (my finger, around 2cm) space between the top of terminals and the end of the battery cover, possibly less.
I'm just wondering, if anyone here has fit two 190mm tall batteries in (underneath the driver's seat) and if so, does it fit in ok?

Thank you!
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Re: Transit custom 2015 L1H1 2.2L battery question - AGM

Postby Altransit » Sun Jan 09, 2022 11:01 am

I looked at doing this on my Mk7, and I would have said that given the tight clearance, that they won't fit under the cover.
Having said that, some people have done it, and say that the cover can just be "bent" to fit over these taller batteries. You could always try it by putting a 15mm piece of wood (or whatever) underneath your existing battery, and see if the cover will go over it :idea:
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Re: Transit custom 2015 L1H1 2.2L battery question - AGM

Postby hfac1988 » Sun Jan 09, 2022 1:49 pm

Thank you.
I'm inclined to agree with you that it won't naturally fit, although it does look like it can "bend" the cover to squeeze it in.
The other thought is whether it'll lie lengthways, as if it's an AGM battery I can lie it on the side and that'll make the height fit, leaving the question whether I'll find an extra 3cm of room width wise.

Trying to find the internal dimensions of the battery box but not having much luck and don't want to take the seat apart just yet!

On a slightly different thought, if the battery plastic cover is there to protect the battery and it gets in the way, I can possibly just replace that with some form of insulating, non-conductive material and put the brace back on to secure it, and it may well give it a bit more room (?)
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Re: Transit custom 2015 L1H1 2.2L battery question - AGM

Postby hfac1988 » Fri Jan 14, 2022 11:34 pm

Sorry...have another question although this time it's about the alternator!

I've been told by 2 separate auto electricians, one says the van will be fine if I swap the batteries to AGM, the other one says I have a "smart alternator" and that I should not swap the starter battery to AGM.

I've no voltmeter (on order) but also have no idea what alternator the van has - a lot of searching etc doesn't seem to indicate that it has a "smart" one...

Would anybody have some clue on this? Thank you!
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Re: Transit custom 2015 L1H1 2.2L battery question - AGM

Postby Rigmarole » Thu Jan 20, 2022 1:52 pm

I've fit one 190mm tall under the seat (currently alongside the factory battery). Mine was

Length = 278 mm
Width = 175 mm
Height inc. terms = 190 mm

I needed to cut plastic pieces from the battery tray, that raised the oem battery. If these plastic pieces aren't removed the battery would have sat too high for the top cover to be fitted.

I'm going to try and fit another one soon (so, two 190mm tall batteries). I can't remember if there was a reason the battery I bought was 278mm long.... and yours is 315mm.... other than perhaps it may have been the only one available for me at a certain price?
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Re: Transit custom 2015 L1H1 2.2L battery question - AGM

Postby hfac1988 » Sun Jan 23, 2022 12:47 am

Thanks a lot.
I've literally just given it a go - however that's before I've seen your post.

My batteries are 195mm tall. I didn't saw the posts out of the tray and the cover can bend over as can the bar, but that results in the seat being quite difficult to move forward and backwards.

However I've just realised that I had missed one of the connections to my LED lights in the cab, so I guess I'll have to go back in and wire it back in.

I think I'm going to saw the posts out or just drill them away and leave a few holes in the tray and it'll no doubt fit.
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Re: Transit custom 2015 L1H1 2.2L battery question - AGM

Postby Rigmarole » Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:14 am

If you didn't feel like cutting the bits of plastic off you could potentially leave the tray out altogether (especially if using AGM batteries). Though you'd definitely need to securely protect connections on top of the battery from shorting across other metal parts (or risk electrical disaster).

To cut mine I used an oscillating tool, I pre-bent the blades with a blow torch (to get the right angle for cutting in a tight space). It was a bit of a faff.

I've got a swivel seat on the drivers side, so I wanted to make sure the plastic tray was protected well from shorting (though, even with cutting the plastic bits out, I still had to raise the swivel base slightly with two heavy penny washers to clear the plastic).

My van has a a BMS (Battery Management System). I used Forscan on the laptop to change to the new battery type (I'm not sure what difference this makes though) and also performed a BMS reset using the same software.
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Re: Transit custom 2015 L1H1 2.2L battery question - AGM

Postby stupot11 » Tue Mar 01, 2022 5:07 pm

looking for advice on how to reset the bms ,just fitted new battery to mk7 2.2. fwd euro 5 2013 van ,connected up forscan and elm327 adaptor but cant see an option to reset looked in the spanner icon and can not see any option to do with bms dunt know if its just me being a bit new to forscan and the van but cant find the option
how did you reset the bms
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