Batteries Puzzle

[Acorndrive]

VW California T5 2007 owner here with a battery question. I've been using the Van for two years with no issues, but am uncovering new quirks as time passes.
My question is regarding batteries. I have a battery under the hood, and a second leisure battery located as normal beneath the wardrobe in the rear.
All discussions on batteries mention a second leisure battery under the front passenger seat. My van has no battery under either of the front seats. I actually use the space for additional storage.
Why could this be?
P.S. I don't believe the previous owners removed a battery as there is no residual wiring in place.
Puzzled.

 

[Black Forest]

Maybe the model you have is an Ocean with internal furniture and that's where the battery is. Our German Beach - no furniture inside, has the battery under the drivers seat where I think you expected it to be.

EDIT: a bit of google-fu suggests:
In a factory-built VW California Ocean (T5), the leisure battery is located in the left-hand side of the boot, situated at the base of the rear wardrobe behind a removable panel, with a second auxiliary or additional battery often housed underneath the front passenger or driver seat depending on the specific model year and electrical spec. (Note: Standard aftermarket converted VW T5 Transporters typically place the leisure battery underneath the driver's seat or passenger seat). [1, 2, 3, 4]

 

[Acorndrive]

Thanks for your reply Black Forest. I believe the model I have is a factory built Ocean, and it definitely has a leisure battery under the wardrobe (left rear of van).
The question remains why is there no auxiliary battery under either of the front seats?

 

[WelshGas]

VW California T5 2007 owner here with a battery question. I've been using the Van for two years with no issues, but am uncovering new quirks as time passes.
My question is regarding batteries. I have a battery under the hood, and a second leisure battery located as normal beneath the wardrobe in the rear.
All discussions on batteries mention a second leisure battery under the front passenger seat. My van has no battery under either of the front seats. I actually use the space for additional storage.
Why could this be?
P.S. I don't believe the previous owners removed a battery as there is no residual wiring in place.
Puzzled.

There should be fuses and relays including the split charge relay under the front drivers seat LHD vehicles.

 

[Acorndrive]

Thank you WelshGas for the insight. Upon closer inspection (rotation of seat) there are fuses and relays present under LHD seat as you suggested. Previous owners must have removed battery at some point.

What's your recommendation for replacement batteries for both auxiliary and main leisure batteries?

Again, thank you.

 

[WelshGas]

Thank you WelshGas for the insight. Upon closer inspection (rotation of seat) there are fuses and relays present under LHD seat as you suggested. Previous owners must have removed battery at some point.

What's your recommendation for replacement batteries for both auxiliary and main leisure batteries?

Again, thank you.

Both batteries should be the same chemistry, same capacity and same age.
Physical dimensions are important to fit under seat and in the rear .
The VW recommended batteries are 2 x Varta LA80