Battery

[AdrianCaltieri]

After three nights without hook up the control panel was showing 11.9v 80% but the engine was a bit reluctant to start. If the leisure batteries drain, does the "starter" battery also drain or are they separate battery/circuits? Thanks for any advice.

 

[dspuk]

Separate. Your starter likely drained from opening the doors too much, esp drivers, or using the radio.

 

[WelshGas]

After three nights without hook up the control panel was showing 11.9v 80% but the engine was a bit reluctant to start. If the leisure batteries drain, does the "starter" battery also drain or are they separate battery/circuits? Thanks for any advice.

I suggest you ignore the % reading. It is a very iffy calculation. The voltage is however accurate.

There is no connection between leisure and engine electrical circuits, but the starter battery can be seriously drained by frequent use of the infotainment system, using the lights next to the rear view mirror and repeatedly opening the drivers door. Also, if you have the full electric sliding door then that can also drain the engine battery. Switch to Manual mode.

 

[KevH]

I suggest you ignore the % reading. It is a very iffy calculation. The voltage is however accurate.

There is no connection between leisure and engine electrical circuits, but the starter battery can be seriously drained by frequent use of the infotainment system, using the lights next to the rear view mirror and repeatedly opening the drivers door. Also, if you have the full electric sliding door then that can also drain the engine battery. Switch to Manual mode.

View attachment 138411

This is a great posting, thank @WelshGas. It is a great reminder to keep the battery in mind when opening doors, etc.
One thing puzzles me and that is the reference to switching to manual mode for the sliding door. Does the 6.1 have this option?

 

[WelshGas]

This is a great posting, thank @WelshGas. It is a great reminder to keep the battery in mind when opening doors, etc.
One thing puzzles me and that is the reference to switching to manual mode for the sliding door. Does the 6.1 have this option?

I’m sure it has.

 

[Wish]

I'm hoping for an answer to... "switching to manual mode for the sliding door. Does the T6.1 have this as an option"

 

[WelshGas]

I'm hoping for an answer to... "switching to manual mode for the sliding door. Does the T6.1 have this as an option"

Have you looked at the Dash? There should be a switch to open/close the fully electric sliding door and another switch to switch it off into manual mode,
The T5/6 had it so I would be very surprised if the T6.1 hasn’t. It is a function of the Transporter base vehicle and not exclusive to the California.

 

[Betsycalifornia]

This is a great posting, thank @WelshGas. It is a great reminder to keep the battery in mind when opening doors, etc.
One thing puzzles me and that is the reference to switching to manual mode for the sliding door. Does the 6.1 have this option?

Ours does, 23 model.

 

[Wish]

Have you looked at the Dash? There should be a switch to open/close the fully electric sliding door and another switch to switch it off into manual mode,
The T5/6 had it so I would be very surprised if the T6.1 hasn’t. It is a function of the Transporter base vehicle and not exclusive to the California.

Brilliant… wondered what that might do… does the switching on/off of the ignition reset it each time… or will it remain in “manual” until you press the the “manual mode off” button?

 

[Roger Boeken]

Brilliant… wondered what that might do… does the switching on/off of the ignition reset it each time… or will it remain in “manual” until you press the the “manual mode off” button?

Just try it out ? Never used it in tree years, nomatter how many times I opened /closed electric sliding door…It is a 30 sec proces using very little Ah. I believe listening to the stereo for a few hours uses more energy from starter battery.

 

[WelshGas]

Brilliant… wondered what that might do… does the switching on/off of the ignition reset it each time… or will it remain in “manual” until you press the the “manual mode off” button?

On my Multivan once activated it stays activated and lit up. Ignition On/Off the light goes off but comes back on with Ignition On until you press again to disable Manual Mode.

 

[KevH]

Have you looked at the Dash? There should be a switch to open/close the fully electric sliding door and another switch to switch it off into manual mode,
The T5/6 had it so I would be very surprised if the T6.1 hasn’t. It is a function of the Transporter base vehicle and not exclusive to the California.

Found it
I didn’t realise that the button both locked / unlocked the sliding door and converted it to manual.
It should be helpful in preserving battery life when pitched.
Happy days.