Disable soft close while camping

[RockinNRollin]

We’re staying on a site for over a week without EHU. We have ample solar for our needs but the soft close on the sliding door is slowly draining the vehicle battery down (despite arriving on “max charge” so it was full. I have a small trickle charger with me which I’ve been using via the inverter but it’s not ideal and it’s not really up to the job of the big battery in the Cali (it’s designed for a motorbike). Is there any way to disable the soft close function, even if it’s just pulling a fuse, or will that cause other issues?

 

[Corradobrit]

We’re staying on a site for over a week without EHU. We have ample solar for our needs but the soft close on the sliding door is slowly draining the vehicle battery down (despite arriving on “max charge” so it was full. I have a small trickle charger with me which I’ve been using via the inverter but it’s not ideal and it’s not really up to the job of the big battery in the Cali (it’s designed for a motorbike). Is there any way to disable the soft close function, even if it’s just pulling a fuse, or will that cause other issues?

So you think there is a fault in the soft close system (I assume you're referring to the sliding door)? There should be no parasitic draw when it's not activated (closing). Whats the ampage draw on the controller? Should be -1A.

 

[Doric_loon]

So you think there is a fault in the soft close system (I assume you're referring to the sliding door)? There should be no parasitic draw when it's not activated (closing). Whats the ampage draw on the controller? Should be -1A.

I think the OP is trying to disable the electric door system and turn it into a normal manual open and close door?

Not sure if that's possible

 

[Corradobrit]

I think the OP is trying to disable the electric door system and turn it into a normal manual open and close door?

Not sure if that's possible

Soft close isn't the same as electric closing. I assume OP is referring to the former but I'm sure he will clarify.

 

[dspuk]

Are you sure the soft close is using the starter battery? Popular wisdom is that all electrics behind the drivers headrest are powered by the leisures. Ignoring 12v plugs as they are now all leisures. Technically that would include the soft close mechanism.

 

[RockinNRollin]

It’s the soft close mechanism; our door is manual otherwise. It’s definitely wired to the vehicle battery. I have a Victron battery monitor and the dip in voltage is obvious when the soft close actuates. It’s not faulty; just the cumulative draw of repeat door closing at this time of year (cool, so default is the door is closed) is significant enough to be draining a fair bit of juice from the vehicle battery. I’m wondering if there’s a way of temporarily disabling this feature?

 

[WelshGas]

Are you sure the soft close is using the starter battery? Popular wisdom is that all electrics behind the drivers headrest are powered by the leisures. Ignoring 12v plugs as they are now all leisures. Technically that would include the soft close mechanism.

Soft close for sliding door and tailgate run off the engine battery, Not leisure.

 

[Corradobrit]

Ok, makes sense.
I would check this thread. There is a fuse dedicated to the soft close which you can remove temporarily to deactivate.

Soft close Boot issue

Hello I’ve done a search on the forums and don’t seem to find the same issue as I’ve experienced lately. I have a T6 Cali 2016 which I’ve had for over a year now. Yesterday I noticed my boot has stopped closing as usual. Previously I’d close the boot and it would pull itself in tight. Now it’s...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Quiddle]

Another option would be to connect a small (20w) panel to trickle charge the engine battery when parked.

 

[Benharries13!]

There should be a button on the dashboard to disable the electric closing function. It’s right below the button the lets you open/close the sliding door from the front.

 

[Corradobrit]

There should be a button on the dashboard to disable the electric closing function. It’s right below the button the lets you open/close the sliding door from the front.

I think you're confusing full electric closing with soft closing that only pulls the door shut.

 

[Resfeber]

It’s the soft close mechanism; our door is manual otherwise. It’s definitely wired to the vehicle battery. I have a Victron battery monitor and the dip in voltage is obvious when the soft close actuates. It’s not faulty; just the cumulative draw of repeat door closing at this time of year (cool, so default is the door is closed) is significant enough to be draining a fair bit of juice from the vehicle battery. I’m wondering if there’s a way of temporarily disabling this feature?

You say significant draw. What sort of voltage drop are you seeing on the starter battery after repeated soft closes.
A good starter battery should be sitting at around 12.6v to 12.7v and even at 12.4 to 12.5 should be good for most starting other than in very cold weather

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I've owned our van with electric close for 16 years, I've never encountered this problem. Seems odd.

I suppose we camp in hot places so the door is often left open but still seems odd. Surely VW wouldn't design something like this? Millions of Caravelles?

 

[RockinNRollin]

I've owned our van with electric close for 16 years, I've never encountered this problem. Seems odd.

I suppose we camp in hot places so the door is often left open but still seems odd. Surely VW wouldn't design something like this? Millions of Caravelles?

How many caravelles stay stationary for days on end but with the doors opening and closing a lot?

 

[RockinNRollin]

You say significant draw. What sort of voltage drop are you seeing on the starter battery after repeated soft closes.
A good starter battery should be sitting at around 12.6v to 12.7v and even at 12.4 to 12.5 should be good for most starting other than in very cold weather

The battery at rest was at 12.3v by day 3. It started healthily at 12.75v rest. What with a small kid and lots of comings and goings, I estimate the sliding door probably opens and closes 30-40 times a day when we’re camping at this time of year. C’est la vie.

 

[rod_vw]

Fit one of these to keep the engine battery charged from the leisure battery / solar / EHU whilst parked.

Problem solved.