Help with Hymer Starter Battery Please

[emjaiuk]

I have a 2011 LHD Hymer exsis-i on a Transit 350 chassis, fitted with Aguti seats. The starter battery which is under the drivers seat has given up the ghost and needs replacing. I'd like to buy a new one before removing the seat.
does anyone know the size, type and capacity battery I need?

 

[Figaro]

Is there a panel you can remove to see the label on the battery before you remove the seat ?
Odd place for a starter battery, is that where ford put them ?

 

[DJT]

I think the best way here is to take the seat out (its got to come out anyway) and get the correct info of the existing battery then you can order and get the correct one first time!
Don't ask me how I know
DJT

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

I think Halfords fit them free might be worth a try.

 

[Charlie57]

I changed mine in the car a few years ago local motor factors did it for me, he had a little gizmo plugged into the cigarette lighter with a 9v battery, kept the radio memory alive while the battery was changed quite clever I thought

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[emjaiuk]

Is there a panel you can remove to see the label on the battery before you remove the seat ?
Odd place for a starter battery, is that where ford put them ?

Unfortunately not, Ford Transit handbook says something about seat right forward to access battery, so it’s a Hymer mod which prevents it. Leisure battery is under passenger seat.

I think the best way here is to take the seat out (its got to come out anyway) and get the correct info of the existing battery then you can order and get the correct one first time!
Don't ask me how I know
DJT

You’re right, but (a) I may need to move it, and once seat is out it’s not possible, and (b) it seems like there’s a never ending number of bolts to remove to get the seat out, and (c) it also seems half the MH weight is the seat

I think Halfords fit them free might be worth a try.

You’ve more faith in Halfords than me, plus I wouldn’t fit in the fitting bays of the local Halfords.

 

[DJT]

Good video on YouTube on how to remove Transit seat.
looks like seat belt plus 4 bolts.Worth a look.
As an aside I owned and ran a vehicle dismantlers and salvage business for 25years before retirement

 

[grasscutter]

If it’s like the Hobby I had it’s only 4 bolts and the seat lifts off.

 

[emjaiuk]

I must admit it doesn't seem as difficult as I thought. It's ages since I did it last but I seem to remember struggling to align the bolts when replacing the seat, and I really struggled with the weight. I'll have a go tomorrow.

 

[emjaiuk]

If it’s like the Hobby I had it’s only 4 bolts and the seat lifts off.
View attachment 789401

Slightly more than four! I remember now!
Now really struggling with the battery retaining clamp. For the life of me I can’t see how it comes off.

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[grasscutter]

View attachment 789683
Slightly more than four! I remember now!
Now really struggling with the battery retaining clamp. For the life of me I can’t see how it comes off.

View attachment 789688

Mine only had the 4 corner ones that held the swivel base in place.
I remember the retaining clamp bolts were awkward.
Good luck

 

[emjaiuk]

Finally got the battery out after almost a full days work. Admittedly a lot of that was remembering how various bits came apart.
Not looking forward to installing the replacement, with the fine thread set screws used, nothing can be tightened until all set screws are seated, and that's definitely not easy. I do wish vehicle designers had to use their products for a period of time, and I do miss the days of a company vehicle where if the ashtrays were full it was straight in to the garage.