Beach with Heater

[Richy]

Not sure,
I always use the night heater when the engine is off, provides a great heat

 

[Gazellio]

I have not got the diesel night heater so I am interested in any form of engine off heating I have or can get fitted?

 

[Borris]

Quote: I think he is referring to the heater that uses the engine heat (coolant) to keep provide 40 mins or so of heat after the engine has been switched off. ...

Can anybody tell me how to use this function?

Press the button marked REST.

 

[Gazellio]

Sorry to be dum but where is button called "REST" thanks

 

[Gazellio]

OK found REST button thanks for the tip.

 

[Gazellio]

Has anybody had Park Heating retro fitted by a Camper Van Converter (successfully) and does anybody use a small fan heater when plugged in on site?

 

[Jay586]

I have an Eberspacher on my conversion. It has an intake in the driver's foot well & an outlet just behind the driver's seat. The control is on the B pillar. The heater part is under the van. Very easy to use.

But you can get the exact same heater as the California retrofitted if you hunt around.

 

[Gazellio]

If anybody has had one retrofitted successfully I would be very interested in who did it and how much. My dealer is not interested...

 

[Borris]

Has anybody had Park Heating retro fitted by a Camper Van Converter (successfully) and does anybody use a small fan heater when plugged in on site?

Yes, there are threads about retro fitting parking heaters and there are companies that will fit them to factory spec.

Many people do use small electric fan heaters. It makes sense if you are on a hook up and have a drive away awning fitted as the exhaust from the parking heater can under some circumstances, enter the awning.

 

[MattBW]

.

If anybody has had one retrofitted successfully I would be very interested in who did it and how much. My dealer is not interested...

I had mine fitted at Slidepods... a few folk have fitted them on this thread.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/retro-fitting-a-webasto-parking-heater.14967/

 

[flying banana]

Interesting message just received from a dealer who I had spoken to about he heater being an essential.

"do you know its different to the one installed on an SE? It will only run for 90 minute intervals, unlike the SE which will run all night. I think this is due to only having a single leisure battery as opposed to the two installed on an SE."

Not my understanding if you've gone for the £1700 option!?

that's bollocks.

 

[Goldie]

If anybody has had one retrofitted successfully I would be very interested in who did it and how much. My dealer is not interested...

I bought the heater kit from PF Jones for around £625 and all the VW parts for about £350 form VW South Hereford to do a 'near' full factory fit apart from the control panel. It will output via B panel rather than underseat.

I've bought a new Beach with Climatronic and parking so selling it separately to my old Beach. Not much use to you as I've shipped it all out to NZ.

Have a search on the forums, I think 'Gearbox Oil' was the original poster I discussed this with.

Andy

 

[Gazellio]

I now have van booked in for under van Diesel Heater installation with factory vents and posh 7 day timer to be located by C post so accessible in bed. Meanwhile the van has central heating lol...

 

[SallyHG]

I’m wanting to get the night heater so devouring information here thanks we use a very small but very effective oil filled electric heater when on site. Cost under £20. Anyone recommend a fitter near Bournemouth?

 

[Gazellio]

I had mine done at "Exploria" in Brighouse https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/california-beach-heritage-red-edition.22394/page-4 its well worth the trip even if it mean a night at a hotel (good one by canal) as they can use factory vents and put the electronic timer wherever you want it. Their website is http://www.exploria-online.co.uk/

 

[Gary&Heather]

I had mine done at "Exploria" in Brighouse https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/california-beach-heritage-red-edition.22394/page-4 its well worth the trip even if it mean a night at a hotel (good one by canal) as they can use factory vents and put the electronic timer wherever you want it. Their website is http://www.exploria-online.co.uk/

This is the company we will be using when we have ours fitted just after the new year good reputation.

 

[SallyHG]

I had mine done at "Exploria" in Brighouse https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/california-beach-heritage-red-edition.22394/page-4 its well worth the trip even if it mean a night at a hotel (good one by canal) as they can use factory vents and put the electronic timer wherever you want it. Their website is http://www.exploria-online.co.uk/

Worth knowing - definitely, thank you. Overdue a trip to Liverpool, but it is a long way from me. Someone else also mentioned Krueger in New Milton, which is only an hour from me.

This is a great forum, I really appreciate your help. I bought my Californian Breeze T6 from Marquis and trusted them erroneously on a couple of things and my local VW Breeze here in Poole didn't believe me at first when I explained a charging problem with the auxiliary battery (eventually, on my third visit, they seemed surprised when they informed me it was faulty) I said oh so I was right then was I, they said yes and it was replaced under warranty. So it is great to have owners chipping in and giving recommendations and suggestions. Thank you everyone.

What I'd like to understand is why the, what I shall call 'the rear heater' which works off a thermostat on the dash, next to the cigarette socket (both of which work when the engine is turned off) is not linked to the auxiliary battery meaning you could run it when the vehicle is parked. I guess there is a simple explanation (please) to do with it needing too much power and draining the battery quickly, perhaps?

 

[willwander]

What I'd like to understand is why the, what I shall call 'the rear heater' which works off a thermostat on the dash, next to the cigarette socket (both of which work when the engine is turned off) is not linked to the auxiliary battery meaning you could run it when the vehicle is parked. I guess there is a simple explanation (please) to do with it needing too much power and draining the battery quickly, perhaps?

I would guess that..'the rear heater' gets it's heat from the engine, this is why it only makes sense to use it while the engine is running.

 

[SallyHG]

I would guess that..'the rear heater' gets it's heat from the engine, this is why it only makes sense to use it while the engine is running.

That's embarrassingly understandable, thanks

 

[SallyHG]

So I had this response from VW specifically about my own Cali - I haven't had it from new and so I asked them from the factory spec (which they sent too)

I have also discussed your query with our Technical Support Team. They have advised that the the power supply for the auxiliary heater is from starter battery or, if available, second battery (some people describe the second battery as a leisure battery). Your vehicle is fitted with a second battery.

They have also advised that Auxiliary heaters have the task of heating the vehicle interior. Auxiliary heaters work in connection with the heating/ air conditioning system. Auxiliary heaters can be used when the vehicle is stationary, to pre-heat the vehicle interior when the engine is switched off, or during the journey (e.g. during the engine's warm-up phase). If the auxiliary heater is switched on while the vehicle is stationary and the engine is not running, the engine may also be pre-heated. Auxiliary heaters heat the coolant, which in turn heats the air in the heat exchanger. The heated air then flows into the vehicle interior and heats it.

We would recommend that the fuel level should not be less than a quarter of a tank, when using the auxiliary heater.

In the spec it says that my Cali has

· Air-conditioning system Climatic (semi-automatic) and second heater in passenger compartment
· Auxiliary heater

So that's amazing I thought, I went home and tried to turn on what I assume is the auxiliary heater, only to find that it only works when the key is turned to the on position.

Before I write back to VW am I missing something please?

I'm having a search on the net and came up with this, which will be of interest to you I believe, it is too technical for me but I like the fact that it suggest an upgrade.

http://vennerstrand.se/webasto/heater_upgrade

I will take photos of my controls when it is not dark - I thought I'd find them online. The 'auxiliary heater' controls sit on a separate box with a cigarette lighter socket, low down, to left of the gearstick (in right hand drive vehicle)

When I write back I will ask them the make and model of my Auxiliary heater. I shall also have a hunt in the computer programme on the dash (I don't have the display above the rearview mirror) and see if I can find an 'Activate Auxiliary Heater' programme, as shown in the article. I have just found a brochure that may give me more clues too. May be of interest to you.

https://www.campersales.co.uk/guides/volkswagen/california_brochure.pdf

 

[Gazellio]

As said before the Engine pre-warming Auxiliary heater (Engine Heater) although a similar beast is a different spec to the Cabin Heating Auxiliary Heater (Park Heater) and can only be used for short periods of up to about 90 minutes and as linked to the engine heating must be uselessly heating the engine coolant at the same time. Might get a flat starter battery also. Much better to buy a separate Cabin Heating unit (Park Heater) that can be set on a timer/thermostat and run all night using the leisure battery(s) without issues.

 

[SallyHG]

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to respond. I felt, on reading VW response, that:

... Auxiliary heaters have the task of heating the vehicle interior. Auxiliary heaters work in connection with the heating/ air conditioning system. Auxiliary heaters can be used when the vehicle is stationary, to pre-heat the vehicle interior when the engine is switched off, or during the journey (e.g. during the engine's warm-up phase). If the auxiliary heater is switched on while the vehicle is stationary and the engine is not running, the engine may also be pre-heated. Auxiliary heaters heat the coolant, which in turn heats the air in the heat exchanger. The heated air then flows into the vehicle interior and heats it.

VW were telling me that I had the sort of heater that you are calling the Cabin Heating Auxiliary Heater/Cabin Heating unit. I feel VW have been confusing and shall indeed continue my research into getting one of those. I am supposing these are also other names for a Parking Heater.

Attached is the photo I took this morning showing the controls for my heaters.



thank you.

 

[Gazellio]

Not seen those controls before. My previously owned SE vans had the control in the LED unit near roof opening.

My existing is aftermarket and uses

 

[CAZ]

We have a T5 Beach with the after market webasto heater and 3 zone ac. To be honest If we upgrade to a T6, I would just get one installed. Good luck in finding one took us 6mths.

 

[GreggB]

So I had this response from VW specifically about my own Cali - I haven't had it from new and so I asked them from the factory spec (which they sent too)

I have also discussed your query with our Technical Support Team. They have advised that the the power supply for the auxiliary heater is from starter battery or, if available, second battery (some people describe the second battery as a leisure battery). Your vehicle is fitted with a second battery.

They have also advised that Auxiliary heaters have the task of heating the vehicle interior. Auxiliary heaters work in connection with the heating/ air conditioning system. Auxiliary heaters can be used when the vehicle is stationary, to pre-heat the vehicle interior when the engine is switched off, or during the journey (e.g. during the engine's warm-up phase). If the auxiliary heater is switched on while the vehicle is stationary and the engine is not running, the engine may also be pre-heated. Auxiliary heaters heat the coolant, which in turn heats the air in the heat exchanger. The heated air then flows into the vehicle interior and heats it.

We would recommend that the fuel level should not be less than a quarter of a tank, when using the auxiliary heater.

In the spec it says that my Cali has

· Air-conditioning system Climatic (semi-automatic) and second heater in passenger compartment
· Auxiliary heater

So that's amazing I thought, I went home and tried to turn on what I assume is the auxiliary heater, only to find that it only works when the key is turned to the on position.

Before I write back to VW am I missing something please?

I'm having a search on the net and came up with this, which will be of interest to you I believe, it is too technical for me but I like the fact that it suggest an upgrade.

http://vennerstrand.se/webasto/heater_upgrade

I will take photos of my controls when it is not dark - I thought I'd find them online. The 'auxiliary heater' controls sit on a separate box with a cigarette lighter socket, low down, to left of the gearstick (in right hand drive vehicle)

When I write back I will ask them the make and model of my Auxiliary heater. I shall also have a hunt in the computer programme on the dash (I don't have the display above the rearview mirror) and see if I can find an 'Activate Auxiliary Heater' programme, as shown in the article. I have just found a brochure that may give me more clues too. May be of interest to you.

https://www.campersales.co.uk/guides/volkswagen/california_brochure.pdf

The auxiliary coolant heater fitted to the Beach will usually be of the ‘passive’ type that only operates on engine start up with an ambient temperature of below 5c. The idea is to help warm the engine quicker. Some vehicles do have a timer function within the dash display or the additional control panel if fitted. I doubt a Beach with Climatic will though.

It is possible to upgrade to a remote start system with a Webasto Telestart. This will fire up the auxiliary heater by means of a remote control to heat the engine coolant and once it hits a set temperature switch the heater fan on to defrost/demist the windscreen. Annoyingly easier and cheaper to fit to Climatronic equipped vehicles than those with the more basic Climatic.

I’d like to fit one to my Beach as the warm up time is annoyingly long but still weighing up the cost vs actual benefit for us.