Installation report: Supervolt 100Ah lithium battery in VW T5.2 Spacecamper
Installation report of a 100Ah POLAR Supervolt 12V lithium battery in the VW T5.2 Spacecamper, which was provided to us by our customer.
Guest article: Replacing the AGM battery with a 100 Ah lithium battery in the VW T5.2 Spacecamper
How can the on-board battery in a VW T5.2 Spacecamper be converted from AGM to LiFePO4? Our customer reports first-hand on the installation of our 100Ah POLAR Supervolt LiFePO4 battery – with valuable tips on installation and important information for the conversion.
Table of contents
Initial situation in the VW T5.2 Spacecamper
I bought this VW T5.2 Spacecamper BJ 2013 in spring 2024 and have been in permanent travel mode ever since.
The van is the only car we use 1-2 times a week in everyday life and I also regularly work remotely in the camper at
. Every year, we plan trips lasting several weeks throughout Europe, where we are usually parked in remote locations without additional supplies for 1-2 days. At festivals we also
stay for 3-4 days.
Previously, a 100Ah AGM battery was installed under the driver’s seat.
The combined device with 12V charging booster and 230V charger is installed under the passenger seat
and is still the original from 2013 without a special charging characteristic for lithium batteries. With my mobile PV module system, I can also recharge 12V when the sun is shining.
This set-up supplies our cool box, auxiliary heating, lighting, music system, smartphones,
computer, camera equipment, projector, tools, etc.. So all in all, a lot comes together.
Previously, the AGM battery regularly reached its lower discharge limit as soon as we were out of direct sunlight for more than 2 days. Using the battery monitor, I was able to observe the charging/discharging process via the voltage history and make a very rough estimate of the charge level.
So in the long term, I had to optimize the system a bit.
I looked for a solution according to the following criteria:
- Total investment <1000€
- Battery heating for winter camping
- Good rating of the app and customer support
- >3-year guarantee
- Better battery monitoring
- Existing charging booster can still be used
- Minimal conversion measures
Flexibility for retrofitting
and found what I was looking for at Supervolt. I was ultimately convinced:
- The price
- The CI bus interface
- The standard dimensions for battery housing cars
I found the website to be very trustworthy, so I was happy to take advantage of the discount offer when paying by bank transfer at
.
The package was delivered quickly and was neatly packaged
Note:
With the introduction of our new battery series at the beginning of October 2025, the POLAR series models no longer have RJ45 interfaces to external devices (e.g. Victron, Truma iNet, etc.), as these are not required by all users.
Due to the elimination of these interfaces, we can no longer offer the POLAR series can now be offered at a lower price.
The PRO series however, still has the corresponding interfaces.
>> Discover our LiFePO4 POLAR batteries directly in the online store <<
Installing the lithium battery
The instructions were brief because they were reduced to the essentials in a nice and crisp way.
Only 6 steps were necessary to replace the batteries:
- Disconnect old battery (first negative, then positive terminal)
- Loosen the screw nut on the battery holder and remove the retaining plate
- Remove old battery
- Insert new battery
- Insert the retaining plate and tighten the screw nut again
- Connect new battery (now in reverse: first positive, then negative terminal)
When lifting out the old AGM battery, the difference in weight is immediately noticeable; the new battery is considerably lighter.
In addition, the new battery fits exactly into the battery holder with the notches so that it
cannot move sideways.
Another practical feature is that the poles can be both clamped and screwed on. This meant that everything fitted my existing system straight away, without any adjustments or modifications.
Thought has been put into this, each individual RJ45 socket is separately protected against dust and water, which is practical as I only use one connection.
I was able to attach the manual system switch to the seat console with two cable ties, so that it is always within reach but still hidden under the trim.
As you can see, there is also enough space between the seat swivel bracket and the battery.
The battery was immediately recognized in the app. The individual cells were also already balanced. The state of charge was approx. 80%.
The connection to the app runs smoothly and works perfectly up to a distance of approx. 2 meters from the car.
I think the app is great and the calculation of the charging and discharging time under the current load is very practical.
Conclusion on installation
After the first observations in the first week, I can confirm that the battery has a decent endurance. Even on hot summer days with the cooler running and >the music system running for 1 hour, the battery still had approx. 90% capacity.
Overall, a great product for a great price and very pleasant customer communication.
👉 You can access our LiFePO4 POLAR batteries in the online store here
Disclaimer
This article is an experience report from a customer, which he has shared with us to the best of his knowledge and belief. The installation methods, experiences and tips described are based on his personal implementation and assessment.
Please note: We assume no liability for the accuracy, completeness or safety of the information.
When carrying out your own conversions, always observe the applicable regulations and the manufacturer’s specifications for your vehicle and the components installed.
Acknowledgments
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customer for the detailed and clear installation report! By publishing these instructions, we hope to help all those who are planning to replace an AGM battery with one of our lithium batteries in the VW T5.2 Spacecamper.
With the new battery, nothing stands in the way of your next vacation. We wish you a safe journey at all times and unforgettable trips!
Supervolt LiFePO4 batteries and accessories
In our store you will find our complete selection of LiFePO4 batteries – ideal for motorhomes, boats or solar systems. Thanks to their versatility, our batteries can be used reliably in almost any area.
The right installation accessories such as solar controller, charging booster or inverters are of course also available directly from us – for a perfectly coordinated system from a single source.
