How to run cable from engine bay to wardrobe....

[sdes]

So, I've invested in one of Solarcampingsolutions' solar panels. all good and installed yesterday and charging the leisure battery - thing is, that's not what helps start the Cali (T5) after its been sat for weeks, I need to run a cable to the starter battery to keep it topped up as the "tracker" gently drains it.

Has anyone found a neat / sensible route for wiring from the starter battery through the baulkhead on the left side?

Perhaps an unusual request, but someone must have been there before me, please can I learn from your mistakes instead of making my own?!

Thanks

Stephen

 

[Kmann]

I assume the tracker is for theft precautions? Is in not possible top move the tracker to the closet?

 

[briwy]

Why not run the tracker from the leisure battery?

 

[sidepod]

Sensible route is simply down and along the chassis rail underneath the van.

 

[snowy55]

I thought I read somewhere that solar panel input to the starter battery can make the alarm go off at random due to the fluctuations in the battery voltage, I may of course be wrong, has anybody else any thoughts on this?

 

[fred]

there's a cable run possible through the upper section of trim where the lights are. have a look at this thread https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/tailgate-trim-removal-to-fit-rear-camera.5345/#post-118673

However, I think that the "fitting solar panel to main battery" topic has been discussed ad nauseum and from recollection it shouldn't be done. My van sits unused for weeks and starts just fine, even with a tracker installed. So you should be looking at fixing your tracker or changing your starter battery first.

 

[sdes]

I assume the tracker is for theft precautions? Is in not possible top move the tracker to the closet?

Only the tracker company can istall the tracker in a "secret and unique location", so no, not an option really I'm afraid.

 

[sdes]

Thanks for the reply. Reading the link it doesn't seem to mention getting cabling to the engine bay, seems to cover the tailgate end of things more.

there's a cable run possible through the upper section of trim where the lights are. have a look at this thread https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/tailgate-trim-removal-to-fit-rear-camera.5345/#post-118673

However, I think that the "fitting solar panel to main battery" topic has been discussed ad nauseum and from recollection it shouldn't be done. My van sits unused for weeks and starts just fine, even with a tracker installed. So you should be looking at fixing your tracker or changing your starter battery first.

Sorry, I must have failed to find the "ad nauseam" discussions. I wonder if any described a cable route. I will search again.

 

[sdes]

Sensible route is simply down and along the chassis rail underneath the van.

I would have thought internally would be more protected for a live (albeit fused) cable to the starter battery and I'm not sure that there is an obvious route "simply down" from the wardrobe but I will re-check.

Thanks

Stephen

 

[Loz]

So, I've invested in one of Solarcampingsolutions' solar panels. all good and installed yesterday and charging the leisure battery - thing is, that's not what helps start the Cali (T5) after its been sat for weeks, I need to run a cable to the starter battery to keep it topped up

How are you going to split the charge between the two batteries?

 

[andyinluton]

Wouldn't a Cigarette lighter to Cigarette Lighter type charger work in this situation, with one end connected to the leisure battery circuit and the other to the starter battery circuit you should be able to get a slow trickle charge?

I

 

[Keith Smith]

I think what has been discussed is that you can't just connect the starter battery to the leisure batteries, not least because there is the potential for a VERY high current to flow down the wire when starting the engine. Best to go back to Tracker and get them to wire it to the leisure battery if you feel it's going to be a problem.

 

[andyinluton]

But surely thats the case/risk with any lighter to lighter charger only difference is the batteries are normally in two different vehicles?

If its left connected when the van is not being used it would keep the battery topped up, alternatively just keep it in the van & you can give yourself a jump start. Ive used one of these before, I presume there is some sort of relay that cuts the connection when the current draw is too high rather than melting the cables.

Draper C2CB 12V DC Vehicle to Vehicle Booster

 

[Keith Smith]

With a lighter to lighter charger they are designed to trickle charge the battery over time to give the flat battery just enough charge to start the engine. The ones I've seen come with a box of tricks to prevent too much current flowing through the wire if someone tries to start the car with it connected.

 

[andyinluton]

Isn't that what the original poster was trying to achieve - trickle charge the starter battery?

 

[sdes]

Wouldn't a Cigarette lighter to Cigarette Lighter type charger work in this situation, with one end connected to the leisure battery circuit and the other to the starter battery circuit you should be able to get a slow trickle charge?

I

As far as I know the (always on) connection to the rear cigarette lighter socket goes to the leisure batteries, the one in the dash

How are you going to split the charge between the two batteries?

They (http://www.solarcampersolutions.co.uk/) sell the kit with an optional Votronic solar controller that can trickle charge the starter battery as well as giving the majority of power to the leisure pair.


http://www.votronic.de/index.php/en...ndard-version-mpp/mpp-165-duo-dig#description
http://www.votronic.de/index.php/en...ndard-version-mpp/mpp-165-duo-dig#description
Seems good but I don't know for sure as haven't routed the cable!

Cheers

Stephen

 

[AlanC]

As far as I know the (always on) connection to the rear cigarette lighter socket goes to the leisure batteries, the one in the dash


They (http://www.solarcampersolutions.co.uk/) sell the kit with an optional Votronic solar controller that can trickle charge the starter battery as well as giving the majority of power to the leisure pair.


http://www.votronic.de/index.php/en...ndard-version-mpp/mpp-165-duo-dig#description
Seems good but I don't know for sure as haven't routed the cable!

Cheers

Stephen

It is easy to drop the cable down behind the trim on the left side of the tailgate to below the van. Take off the splash guards (they are bolted on) under the near side and cable tie to any easy support past the fuel tank and engine heater to just below the engine battery. A bit of groping will bring it up beside the battery.

Good luck.

Alan

 

[sdes]

Isn't that what the original poster was trying to achieve - trickle charge the starter battery?

Yes, it was / is, but ideally in a permanent way, hence the "how to run a cable from engine bay" part of the question.
So yes, the cigarette lighter idea is an interesting one and would work - I'd rather get the cable direct to the positive terminal of the starter battery though. Seem to have kicked off a debate on tracker relocation though - although even the vehicle imobilizer is enough to drain it after a while.

Thanks

Stephen

 

[sdes]

I think what has been discussed is that you can't just connect the starter battery to the leisure batteries, not least because there is the potential for a VERY high current to flow down the wire when starting the engine. Best to go back to Tracker and get them to wire it to the leisure battery if you feel it's going to be a problem.

True re the current, hence I'm not trying to connect the two batteries together - I'm trying to run a cable from the solar controller to the starter battery - following the instructions of the solar controller.

Thanks

Stephen

 

[525107]

Yes, it was / is, but ideally in a permanent way, hence the "how to run a cable from engine bay" part of the question.
So yes, the cigarette lighter idea is an interesting one and would work - I'd rather get the cable direct to the positive terminal of the starter battery though. Seem to have kicked off a debate on tracker relocation though - although even the vehicle imobilizer is enough to drain it after a while.

Thanks

Stephen

Do you have tow bar electrics by any chance? There will be an 'ignition off' permanent, fused feed from the primary battery present at your socket, it may be possible to splice into that feed with your solar panel feed at the socket.

Wullie


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Stoneybroke]

So, I've invested in one of Solarcampingsolutions' solar panels. all good and installed yesterday and charging the leisure battery - thing is, that's not what helps start the Cali (T5) after its been sat for weeks, I need to run a cable to the starter battery to keep it topped up as the "tracker" gently drains it.

Has anyone found a neat / sensible route for wiring from the starter battery through the baulkhead on the left side?

Perhaps an unusual request, but someone must have been there before me, please can I learn from your mistakes instead of making my own?!

Thanks

Stephen

You haven't said what model or year, however...
Take the starter battery out, remove the plastic panel behind, you will see the bulk head. In my 2005 T5 there is a blank rubber grommet - I pierced that, ran the cable through, feeding it down behind the dash (some of which will have to come off).
Once through, you will find some cable routes under the carpets where there are channels through the soundproofing and underfelt. - that will get you to the passenger seat - from there, your on your own, I only went to the seats when I retro fitted a liesure battery.
Photos may follow, if I can work it out...

 

[Stoneybroke]

IMG_20150212_125626818

• Stoneybroke
• Sep 12, 2016

Close up of grommet that can be used to break through to cabin with wires - just freebie the...

IMG_20150212_125636232

• Stoneybroke
• Sep 12, 2016

Route through bulkhead being battery 2005 T5

Pictures uploaded

 

[sidepod]

And is the solar controller ok with being back fed from the alternator when the engine is running?

 

[Pete M]

I've routed my rear view camera from the dash (easy access to the engine bay from there).
Using small diameter 1 metre long electricians fibreglass rods, In the rear wardrobe there is space to push the rod fair close to the outside of the van, remove the lights above the fridge and cooker and feed from there to the removed A pillar trim, down the pillar and into the dash. Can't see it being possible without the rods!
I think it took me a couple of hours but like others have said there is a route under the van that the tow bar electrics if you don't want to go inside.

 

[fred]

Thanks for the reply. Reading the link it doesn't seem to mention getting cabling to the engine bay, seems to cover the tailgate end of things more.

Post #5 in that thread explains how to get from the tailgate to the dash and there's also a video that shows how to do it in post 3. Then you just can go through the bulkhead grommet.