Camberley Cali

[Lord Deadfish]

Hello everybody. After some months of research and indecision we finally put a deposit on a used Cali a couple of weeks ago and I collected it from Vertu Hereford on Friday. It is a 2019 2.0TDI 199 4Motion in a lovely two-tone blue and white with just over 54,000 miles on the clock. We are very pleased with our choice and will hopefully remain so.
Our previous campervan was 1973 T2 which we sold in May last year. I have already noticed just a few 21st Century changes and enhancements from our old model most noticeably a tendency for the vehicle to be brought to a stop by just lightly pressing the brake pedal without the need for gripping worry beads, pushing the pedal to the floor and then just hoping for the best.
This site has been invaluable in helping us make a choice and I hope I can pay it back by making some contributions of our own in the future.

However, I already have a question relating to leisure batteries. When I first viewed the vehicle the leisure batteries were flat but were charged up when I collected it. I’ve driven it just over 120 miles home but today, (the day after collection) it’s only showing a reading of 12.2V and 40%. The voltage rises to over 14V when I run the engine so it would seem the alternator is charging them OK but they don’t seem to hold their charge. It initially indicates 100% after running the engine but over a period of an hour or so drops to 40%. Quiescent current seems to be around 200-400mA. I’ve done a bit of a search on this topic but am still not clear what should be a “normal” reading but a drop in capacity as quickly as that doesn’t sound too encouraging to me. I thought I would just get a few opinions before getting back in touch with VW. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[kurienp]

Hello everybody. After some months of research and indecision we finally put a deposit on a used Cali a couple of weeks ago and I collected it from Vertu Hereford on Friday. It is a 2019 2.0TDI 199 4Motion in a lovely two-tone blue and white with just over 54,000 miles on the clock. We are very pleased with our choice and will hopefully remain so.
Our previous campervan was 1973 T2 which we sold in May last year. I have already noticed just a few 21st Century changes and enhancements from our old model most noticeably a tendency for the vehicle to be brought to a stop by just lightly pressing the brake pedal without the need for gripping worry beads, pushing the pedal to the floor and then just hoping for the best.
This site has been invaluable in helping us make a choice and I hope I can pay it back by making some contributions of our own in the future.

However, I already have a question relating to leisure batteries. When I first viewed the vehicle the leisure batteries were flat but were charged up when I collected it. I’ve driven it just over 120 miles home but today, (the day after collection) it’s only showing a reading of 12.2V and 40%. The voltage rises to over 14V when I run the engine so it would seem the alternator is charging them OK but they don’t seem to hold their charge. It initially indicates 100% after running the engine but over a period of an hour or so drops to 40%. Quiescent current seems to be around 200-400mA. I’ve done a bit of a search on this topic but am still not clear what should be a “normal” reading but a drop in capacity as quickly as that doesn’t sound too encouraging to me. I thought I would just get a few opinions before getting back in touch with VW. Any suggestions appreciated.

Welcome!

The batteries are bust. Get them changed. The dealer will replace.

 

[Kayleigh]

Congrats on the Cali purchase! Yes indeed, things have changed a little since the T2 days.
Regarding the battery, I would check the voltage on both batteries themselves rather than use the display. I’m not sure what other people use, but I’ve attached one of these Bluetooth Victron monitors.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victron-Energy-Battery-10-meters-Chargers/dp/B07RTYGMBD?tag=unique09f-21

 

[Lord Deadfish]

Welcome!

The batteries are bust. Get them changed. The dealer will replace.

Yes, thanks. I think you’re right.

 

[willwander]

You can mess about for ages checking voltages and stuff, which your dealer will probably try and do, but I’ll lay bets that they are stuffed and everything will be fine once they are replaced.

They’ve probably been drained then left flat, which they don’t like.

 

[Lord Deadfish]

Congrats on the Cali purchase! Yes indeed, things have changed a little since the T2 days.
Regarding the battery, I would check the voltage on both batteries themselves rather than use the display. I’m not sure what other people use, but I’ve attached one of these Bluetooth Victron monitors.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victron-Energy-Battery-10-meters-Chargers/dp/B07RTYGMBD?tag=unique09f-21

Yes, thanks point taken. Are you using this as just a battery monitor or part of a solar set up? I ask because I intend to install solar panels over the winter.

 

[Kayleigh]

Yes, thanks point taken. Are you using this as just a battery monitor or part of a solar set up? I ask because I intend to install solar panels over the winter.

If you are installing solar you won’t need it. I have a T6 Beach and there is no way to check the battery voltage, so essential kit for me.
Many on here have purchased solar from Roger at Solar Camper Solutions, so that’s a good place to start. The Ecoflow Delta 2 is also popular for running 240v appliances when not on hookup.
As others have said, speak to the dealer about the batteries.

 

[Lord Deadfish]

If you are installing solar you won’t need it. I have a T6 Beach and there is no way to check the battery voltage, so essential kit for me.
Many on here have purchased solar from Roger at Solar Camper Solutions, so that’s a good place to start. The Ecoflow Delta 2 is also popular for running 240v appliances when not on hookup.
As others have said, speak to the dealer about the batteries.

Yes, I’ll be going back to them on Monday, thanks.