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Underslung on a GC???

Simon1

Simon1

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192
Location
Devon
Vehicle
Grand California 680
Has anyone considered if possible having an underslung LPG tank fitted under their GC?
Apparently they can be bolted on without drilling holes anywhere! well apart from the external filling socket.
Speaking without any experience but it think it would be a game changer in terms of having more off grid time, especially with a second leisure battery.
 
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It would be nice to also know if anyone has fitted a 2nd leisure battery?
With only one supplied and it apparently being under the bonnet I’m struggling to see how it could be done?
 
It would be nice to also know if anyone has fitted a 2nd leisure battery?
With only one supplied and it apparently being under the bonnet I’m struggling to see how it could be done?
I fitted a second auxiliary battery to a Mercedes Sprinter I was helping my girlfriend build in California. Although it started as a panel van, it had an auxiliary AGM battery under the hood (and the starter battery under the front left seat). All that is required is connecting a second battery in parallel to the first (in the engine bay) with large diameter cables with a fuse. If there is space underneath the GC for a battery box, it wouldn’t be too challenging to run cables to that from the engine compartment. Buy a matching battery to the existing one and you will find the alternator will charge both at the same time and your demands from the leisure system will be spread over both batteries. Do you have solar fitted?
 
It would be nice to also know if anyone has fitted a 2nd leisure battery?
With only one supplied and it apparently being under the bonnet I’m struggling to see how it could be done?
Seeing as Conversion Companies can fit LPG tanks, water tanks and Leisure batteries underneath, even on a 4 Motion Transporter then with a GC it should be even easier. The electrical wiring is even simpler, 2 thick gauge battery wires and a cube fuse as fitted on the California Ocean. That’s comparable to the Beach and Ocean leisure electric circuit. The alternator and mains charger don’t need to be changed.
The biggest problem is locating a space for the 2 nd battery.
I believe @rod_vw has fitted An underslung leisure battery on his conversions.
 
Seeing as Conversion Companies can fit LPG tanks, water tanks and Leisure batteries underneath, even on a 4 Motion Transporter then with a GC it should be even easier. The electrical wiring is even simpler, 2 thick gauge battery wires and a cube fuse as fitted on the California Ocean. That’s comparable to the Beach and Ocean leisure electric circuit. The alternator and mains charger don’t need to be changed.
The biggest problem is locating a space for the 2 nd battery.
I believe @rod_vw has fitted An underslung leisure battery on his conversions.
I agree there simple to wire up ,Having done this on a Karmann motorhome we used to own.
It was more where the 2nd battery goes that’s puzzling with the leisure battery being under the bonnet ?
But what you say by a battery box underneath is something I hadn’t thought about and is probably a pretty simple thing to do and a great idea.
 
I agree there simple to wire up ,Having done this on a Karmann motorhome we used to own.
It was more where the 2nd battery goes that’s puzzling with the leisure battery being under the bonnet ?
But what you say by a battery box underneath is something I hadn’t thought about and is probably a pretty simple thing to do and a great idea.
I think as long as you use thick gauge cables and minimise the length of the cable run then there shouldn’t be a problem. After all on the Ocean the cables from the rear Leisure Battery to the underseat front Leisure Battery is about 2m and could probably be extended to 3 m or so without any problem.
 
I agree there simple to wire up ,Having done this on a Karmann motorhome we used to own.
It was more where the 2nd battery goes that’s puzzling with the leisure battery being under the bonnet ?
But what you say by a battery box underneath is something I hadn’t thought about and is probably a pretty simple thing to do and a great idea.
Some ideas including @rod_vw .

 
It would be nice to also know if anyone has fitted a 2nd leisure battery?
With only one supplied and it apparently being under the bonnet I’m struggling to see how it could be done?
All oceans have two leisure batteries, one under a front seat the other under the fridge/wardrobe.
 
Sorry folks as yet I have no personal knowledge of the New Crafter. I have just been through the wiring diagrams that are available on the internet https://cardiagn.com/vw-crafter-2017-2020-electrical-wiring-diagrams/ but the only one shown is the second battery (VW term for for what we are referring to as the first leisure battery) and as folks say that is located under the bonnet.

I will agree that there should be no problems adding BUT there does seem to be battery monitoring on both the main and second batteries as standard. That may have implications for adding another leisure battery.

I've yet to find any diagrams / manuals that relate to the Grand California explicitly.

@WelshGas check out the link above and the manuals also available from that site if you've not done so before. Provided they remain available (or you download them) no other manuals will ever be needed!
The same standard of information is also available for the T5 & T6, the T6 version I have already downloaded.
 
I had a 2nd leisure battery fitted to my joker, both under each front seats.
I had to replacement original bat(yr old), if you don’t have two new batteries then the older one can drain newer one.
Plus there’s normally a split charger fitted, so both can be charged up equally.
Connecting in parallel would be ok I guess, but imagine the cali has split charger too.
I’m sure someone on here with better knowledge would know.
Vw breeze Totton send a lot of auto electric work to anglesea auto radio in Southampton, if your local try them.
 
I had a 2nd leisure battery fitted to my joker, both under each front seats.
I had to replacement original bat(yr old), if you don’t have two new batteries then the older one can drain newer one.
Plus there’s normally a split charger fitted, so both can be charged up equally.
Connecting in parallel would be ok I guess, but imagine the cali has split charger too.
I’m sure someone on here with better knowledge would know.
Vw breeze Totton send a lot of auto electric work to anglesea auto radio in Southampton, if your local try them.
The batteries as you said should be same type, same amps and same age and connected in parallel to maintain 12v, otherwise you have a 24v system.
 
Yep series wouldn’t be good :eek:
Unless you have a lorry oven.
I wasn’t sure if they use a monitoring device so both batteries get the same charge current.
I’m only a ex house sparky don’t let me loose on auto electrics!:talktothehand
 
Yep series wouldn’t be good :eek:
Unless you have a lorry oven.
I wasn’t sure if they use a monitoring device so both batteries get the same charge current.
I’m only a ex house sparky don’t let me loose on auto electrics!:talktothehand
Not on the SE/Ocean.

R is the split charge relay.

DC4B7B91-BC71-4872-A66F-6D3D69A5C561.jpeg
 
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