Adding a mains connection to a Cali Beech Tour with a leisure battery

[TheJessieDogVan]

Hi All, I am a total newbie, but have just got my factory built beech tour, Love it as I bought it after many years of thinking about it. Named after my Dog who I lost, this will be a new start for me. As a typical newbie I knew everything I wanted (Nothing at all) I did not want a hook up on the side As I will mostly be using JessieDogVan as a day van with a vangear pod kitchen (Arrives tomorrow) I wanted full flexibility for all seats, awning, kitchen etc. I also have two captain seats in the front.

Sorry for the ramble, but could someone please advise the best location to add an inbuilt 230V adapter.
could it be here

but i have twin electric doors
or this

Or I have seen some people place it in the engine bay next to the starter battery.

really just looking for advice about how this connection would hook unto the leisure battery with minimal need to lay cable and take things apart.
Can it connect at the starter battery or does it have to be wired to the the leisure battery (Under Passenger seat btw)

Thanks for any help in advance

Attached is a photo of Jessie who the van is names after

 

[calikev]

Or this

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Our hookup is in the engine bay next to the main battery. We have 2 x 240v 3 pin sockets (1 in cabin area, 1 in the boot which is handy for the fridge). Cost for above was about £300 including fitting.

(….But since fitting Solar panels we have not needed to use EHU at all.)

 

[Kayleigh]

As you said you will be using the California mainly as a day van it is unlikely you will need an electric hookup as the battery will recharge fairly quickly while you are driving.

I stopped carrying the hookup cable for our Beach. We tend to use the van most days when on holiday, which is enough to top up the battery. It is primarily used to run a small compressor fridge (Indel B TB15) and will power that for a couple of days without the need for hookup.

For 240v, does the Tour already come with the inverter under the drivers seat?

Can you explain what appliances you need to power?

 

[Amarillo]

I’ve just returned from a three week tour around Britain and Ireland in our California Beach, camping every night, about half on campsites and about half wild. Not once did we hook up, and not once did we feel the need for internal 240 electrics.

When static on a campsite for several days we use a driveaway awning, and run 240 electrics into the awning where we have an electric kettle and an electric hot plate.

 

[TheJessieDogVan]

Our hookup is in the engine bay next to the main battery. We have 2 x 240v 3 pin sockets (1 in cabin area, 1 in the boot which is handy for the fridge). Cost for above was about £300 including fitting.

(….But since fitting Solar panels we have not needed to use EHU at all.)

After starting this I have found so much and changed my thoughts, Solar is 100% is something I am going to look at, but have to be careful as I have a pop up, thanks for the help

 

[TheJessieDogVan]

Or this

View attachment 98245

i have something sililar already, just wanted to have something fixed that could not be seen, tHANKS FOR THE HELP

 

[calikev]

I fitted my hook up socket to the panel you have highlighted in your original post i then ran a cable to a small consumer unit behind the rear panel feeding 2 x double sockets i also had a conditioning battery charger connected to the leisure battery so when i was hooked up it charged the leisure battery all worked fine

 

[TheJessieDogVan]

As you said you will be using the California mainly as a day van it is unlikely you will need an electric hookup as the battery will recharge fairly quickly while you are driving.

I stopped carrying the hookup cable for our Beach. We tend to use the van most days when on holiday, which is enough to top up the battery. It is primarily used to run a small compressor fridge (Indel B TB15) and will power that for a couple of days without the need for hookup.

For 240v, does the Tour already come with the inverter under the drivers seat?

Can you explain what appliances you need to power?

Thanks so much, you are 100% correct it does, which I never knew until you said that, 1 nil to you.
I will be running a fridge/cooler and Wanting to charge my mackbook which is 90w. i KNOW i said a day van but i think my definition is wrong, I will be staying out in it and sleeping but will have it hooked unto a drive away awning. Also in the process of becoming a nomad worker too

 

[TheJessieDogVan]

I fitted my hook up socket to the panel you have highlighted in your original post i then ran a cable to a small consumer unit behind the rear panel feeding 2 x double sockets i also had a conditioning battery charger connected to the leisure battery so when i was hooked up it charged the leisure battery all worked fine

tHANKS FOR THE HELP, i MA GETTING SO MANY IDEAS

 

[TheJessieDogVan]

I’ve just returned from a three week tour around Britain and Ireland in our California Beach, camping every night, about half on campsites and about half wild. Not once did we hook up, and not once did we feel the need for internal 240 electrics.

When static on a campsite for several days we use a driveaway awning, and run 240 electrics into the awning where we have an electric kettle and an electric hot plate.

This is filling me with so many ideas, I am having a vamped delivered tomorrow so will not need a kettle but a hotplate sounds like a plan

Thanks

 

[TheJessieDogVan]

Thanks everyone, really appreciate all the help and advice. i am sure I will be back with more silly/stupid questions from a novice Cali owner

 

[Kayleigh]

Not silly questions at all. As you can see you will get a wide range of answers and views, which is helpful for your own decision making. There are also loads of historic threads on here to help with your research. May I suggest one thing… use whatever equipment you already have and don’t make big purchases straight away. It can be a slow but happy learning process to work out how to make best use of your Cali for your own purposes

 

[Ch1pbutty]

After starting this I have found so much and changed my thoughts, Solar is 100% is something I am going to look at, but have to be careful as I have a pop up, thanks for the help

The solar panels supplied by @Roger Donoghue are specifically designed for the Cali pop top. They take about 2 hours to fit (DIY):

Solar Panels for VW California and Mercedes Marco Polo Camper Vans

DIY easy to install Solar panel kits for VW California / Transporter and Mercedes Marco Polo camper vans. Zero drilling or gluing.

www.solarcampersolutions.co.uk

 

[soulstyledevon]

Have a search I did a write up years ago.
Battery charger under the drivers seat and connection in the bonnet with some sockets on the back of the seat bases…

Adding 230v connection

Well today I finally started adding a 230v connection point into my Beach Hut. Commando socket from engine bay ran under drivers seat. I have mounted a small 2 way DB and a Ctek 10A battery charger to charge the leisure battery whilist on 230v hook-up. So far, I have 1 socket outlet on the rear...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Amarillo]

The solar panels supplied by @Roger Donoghue are specifically designed for the Cali pop top. They take about 2 hours to fit (DIY):

View attachment 98327

Solar Panels for VW California and Mercedes Marco Polo Camper Vans

DIY easy to install Solar panel kits for VW California / Transporter and Mercedes Marco Polo camper vans. Zero drilling or gluing.

www.solarcampersolutions.co.uk

We have two solar panels. I can confirm there is no problem
opening and closing the three seat beach roof with solar panels installed. (It is also OK with roof bars and a tandem carrier but not the tandem).

Without solar, our Beach battery lasts 3 days without hookup powering a fridge, iPhones and iPads and internal lighting. With 200w (2 panels) we can camp off grid indefinitely so long as it is Spring, Summer or Autumn and we are not parked in the shade.

Solar is hit with a triple whammy in winter of shorter days, a lower sun and more cloud.

 

[Perfectos]

no question is a stupid question if you don’t know the answer.

that’s what makes this forum a great resource, someone will almost always have an answer to most questions.

 

[TheJessieDogVan]

Not silly questions at all. As you can see you will get a wide range of answers and views, which is helpful for your own decision making. There are also loads of historic threads on here to help with your research. May I suggest one thing… use whatever equipment you already have and don’t make big purchases straight away. It can be a slow but happy learning process to work out how to make best use of your Cali for your own purposes

I love this advice, really appreciate it