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Grimdog



Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Wakefield
Posts: 305

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Barolo Black
Varta F21 AGM Vented or Not ?

My new Varta F21 AGM battery arrived today. I looked to remove the vent plugs used for transit purposes, but only found this



The other side is identical.

Attached to the positive terminal cover was a plug that fits in the hole perfectly




The pictorial instructions are worthless




So after an hour of trawling the good old tinterweb, I convinced myself that the battery did not require venting, and had an inbuilt safety vent system. I found reference to sealed vent holes in the Varta site, but unfortunately fig. 1 ( the image ) was missing !

So I put it on charge with my Ctek charger set to AGM mode. However, after checking the battery after an hour, the charger was at stage 4, I noticed that the side walls were " rounded"




So I took it off charge. I did not notice if the sidewalls were flat when it came out of the box

Can anyone who has fitted one of these batteries confirm if one of the flush fitting plugs / holes should be removed, or is this battery sealed and doesn't require venting?

I have looked at the original land Rover battery on the car ( also Varta AGM ), which has a vent pipe fitted, but upon close inspection, the hole in to which it is plugged, appears to be a blind hole.

How hard can it be to replace a car battery? I did the glow plugs and swirl flap removal yesterday which was easier than this!

As always, any help and advice will be greatly appreciated......

Post #412590 23rd Sep 2021 4:57 pm
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Nodge68



Member Since: 15 Jul 2020
Location: Newquay
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United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 SE Manual Rimini Red

If it's got removable plugs, then they need removing before the battery is charged or discharged, or the battery casing can burst due to pressure build up. 2009 Rimini Red SE TD4. My daily driver.
Gone. 2006 Tonga Green i6 HSE.

Post #412591 23rd Sep 2021 6:09 pm
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Grimdog



Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Wakefield
Posts: 305

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Barolo Black

I understand that Nodge, but the question is are the plugs in my new battery removable? They don't appear to be, and AGM batteries are supposed to be sealed from everything I have read, so why the " rounding " of the end panels, or are they supposed to be like that? The ctek was putting out 14.4 volts when I disconnected it, so within range and it was set in AGM mode. The battery was cool to the touch.

Post #412599 23rd Sep 2021 8:27 pm
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Simon J



Member Since: 27 Jul 2019
Location: Norn Iron
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2008 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Auto Rimini Red

Why not write to Varta and ask them?

Post #412602 24th Sep 2021 4:20 am
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MotionInc



Member Since: 17 Jun 2019
Location: North America
Posts: 1278

Canada 2008 LR2 i6 SE Auto Tambora Flame

Grimdog wrote:
I understand that Nodge, but the question is are the plugs in my new battery removable? They don't appear to be, and AGM batteries are supposed to be sealed from everything I have read, so why the " rounding " of the end panels, or are they supposed to be like that? The ctek was putting out 14.4 volts when I disconnected it, so within range and it was set in AGM mode. The battery was cool to the touch.


Nope, AGMs are vented. I have used Optimas and current using the Costco Energizer in my LR2 and they all have vents, spiral cells, flooded, gel, etc.

Lithiums I don't believe are.

Post #412604 24th Sep 2021 6:46 am
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Grimdog



Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Wakefield
Posts: 305

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Barolo Black

I have contacted Varta UK ( Clarios UK Ltd ), no response as yet.
I was hoping for a more speedy response from members here who have fitted this battery.

Post #412605 24th Sep 2021 7:07 am
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Grimdog



Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Wakefield
Posts: 305

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Barolo Black

MotionInc wrote:
Grimdog wrote:
I understand that Nodge, but the question is are the plugs in my new battery removable? They don't appear to be, and AGM batteries are supposed to be sealed from everything I have read, so why the " rounding " of the end panels, or are they supposed to be like that? The ctek was putting out 14.4 volts when I disconnected it, so within range and it was set in AGM mode. The battery was cool to the touch.


Nope, AGMs are vented. I have used Optimas and current using the Costco Energizer in my LR2 and they all have vents, spiral cells, flooded, gel, etc.

Lithiums I don't believe are.


So looking at the images I have posted, so you think that the "plug" fitted in the first image is removable? There were no transport plugs fitted. This is how the battery arrived. Surely the transport plugs would be obvious, red white or black in my previous experience of normal lead acid batteries.

Post #412606 24th Sep 2021 7:12 am
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shiggsy



Member Since: 13 Jan 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 789

United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Baltic Blue

The pictorial instructions seem quite clear, after transport the plug by the negative terminal should be removed otherwise a woman with a large moustache will condemn your pyramid. 
Hung like Einstein, smart as a horse.

Post #412607 24th Sep 2021 7:46 am
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SYFL2



Member Since: 16 Jun 2012
Location: Sheffield
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2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Stornoway Grey

These are the transport plugs I removed from my Varta F19 I got last week

Post #412613 24th Sep 2021 9:02 am
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SYFL2



Member Since: 16 Jun 2012
Location: Sheffield
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2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Stornoway Grey

Post #412614 24th Sep 2021 9:03 am
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SYFL2



Member Since: 16 Jun 2012
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 2542

2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Stornoway Grey

Did your battery have stickers over the terminal covers like this ?


find duplicates in csv online

Post #412615 24th Sep 2021 9:07 am
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Grimdog



Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Wakefield
Posts: 305

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Barolo Black

shiggsy wrote:
The pictorial instructions seem quite clear, after transport the plug by the negative terminal should be removed otherwise a woman with a large moustache will condemn your pyramid.


No moustache as yet, but also no plug as shown in the instructions !

Post #412619 24th Sep 2021 1:34 pm
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Grimdog



Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Wakefield
Posts: 305

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Barolo Black

SYFL2 wrote:
These are the transport plugs I removed from my Varta F19 I got last week


Thanks for the pics, definitely no red plugs and no warning stickers over the terminal covers, so I think that confirms my suspicion that there are no traditional vents.

Still waiting for a response from Varta, but not holding my breath.

I will update this thread if I get a response. If not, I will fit the battery as is, and monitor the case for deformation.

Thanks to all who have replied Very Happy

Post #412620 24th Sep 2021 1:39 pm
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MotionInc



Member Since: 17 Jun 2019
Location: North America
Posts: 1278

Canada 2008 LR2 i6 SE Auto Tambora Flame

Grimdog wrote:
MotionInc wrote:
Grimdog wrote:
I understand that Nodge, but the question is are the plugs in my new battery removable? They don't appear to be, and AGM batteries are supposed to be sealed from everything I have read, so why the " rounding " of the end panels, or are they supposed to be like that? The ctek was putting out 14.4 volts when I disconnected it, so within range and it was set in AGM mode. The battery was cool to the touch.


Nope, AGMs are vented. I have used Optimas and current using the Costco Energizer in my LR2 and they all have vents, spiral cells, flooded, gel, etc.

Lithiums I don't believe are.


So looking at the images I have posted, so you think that the "plug" fitted in the first image is removable? There were no transport plugs fitted. This is how the battery arrived. Surely the transport plugs would be obvious, red white or black in my previous experience of normal lead acid batteries.


Yes it is. If memory serves, depending on which side your +ve and -ve are on your year class, the vent plug on the side that the gasses tube goes should be removed. And yes, mine was red with a black battery case so maybe they used a semi clear version with the grey case?

Post #412622 24th Sep 2021 3:45 pm
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Grimdog



Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Wakefield
Posts: 305

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Barolo Black

Sorry Motonic, I am not convinced 😮. If you look at my battery in the images supplied, unless you start to remove the " plugs" with a sharp bladed screwdriver, they are not easily removable.
Surely other members who have fitted this battery ( plenty of threads ) must have come across this If he ?

Post #412635 24th Sep 2021 11:31 pm
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