Going gas-free GC600

[pabloalvinGC600]

Hello,

I'm considering switching the boiler and heater to diesel versions, as well as replacing the cooker with a Webasto diesel model, so I can eliminate the need for gas in the van. I travel frequently across Europe, and having an all-diesel system would give me much more freedom without having to worry about gas canisters.

To switch to a diesel cooker, I’d also need to change the countertop, so I need to be very certain before moving forward.

Has anyone made this change in a Grand California? What are your thoughts, pros, cons, and costs?

Many thanks,
Pablo

 

[GordonH]

Sounds expensive. There are a few posts about swapping to diesel heating but I haven't seen similar on diesel cooking. Have you considered electric cooking as an alternative (assuming the change to diesel heating is do-able). We have gone gas free but were already diesel heated so it was a relatively simple change. We cook all electric (or gas BBQ) via a semi-integrated ecoflow delta 2 setup. We didn't think it was worth replacing the hob with an induction type which would need pots & pans so we just use the hobs glass cover as worktop for the various mains powered cooking appliances that have integrated cooking containers (slow cooker, air fryer, hotpot/electric frying pan, toastie maker, kettle, nespresso machine). I may get round to replacing the worktop with a surface mounted sink and tap and remove the hob altogether at some point.

 

[pabloalvinGC600]

Thank you, GordonH. Yes, it definitely sounds quite expensive, probably around the 2K. I've considered switching to an electric cooker, but I'm not too keen on installing a large lithium battery. I've also read that the Webasto diesel cooker is quite slow, so I'm not entirely convinced by that option either. I'll have to keep researching.

 

[arikorho]

Eg. Primus Optifuel multicooker works with diesel or bensin.

 

[PaulGC680]

Hi
We are just finishing a transition from the OE gas with Truma gas boiler to off grid electrics/solar and a diesel Truma heater.
The electrics is all but finished.
Cooking is now induction hob and MicroWave. Although fair to say that sitting outside with the BBQ is still the nicest ( weather permitting)
460Amp hr battery and the various Victron matched products. All nicely installed as follows.
Battery is in the lower wardrobe cupboard , loosing the lower tray.
The main link up is in the adjacent cupboard, raised lower tray by 30mm
Tech cupboard now full with Inverter MPPT etc.
We have a new easy to view Cerbo control panel and are not unhappy to loose the battery condition indicator from the VW panel.

We found within the roof the factory fit roof cable for Solar and this brought the Solar input straight into the tech cupboard.

Within the next 2 weeks we will have swapped out the Truma 6E for the D6 combi.

No judgements made as yet - as we have not travelled and used it.
I will add updates and some images subsequently. We had a T6 previously that had no gas but solar/lithium battery ( below passenger seat) and a diesel Eperspacher heater. We never hooked up in 2 years usage.

 

[pabloalvinGC600]

Thank you @PaulGC680 , How nice to know that I'm not the only one thinking about this option. Next week, I'm getting 300Ah of lithium installed, which I'll place in one of the cabinets under the bed. The diesel heater is already installed, and so far, it's working perfectly, so I no longer have to worry about finding gas while traveling.

A question: How did you switch from a gas stove to induction? Did you change the countertop? If so, did you do it yourself, or were you able to buy it?

Thanks,
Pablo

 

[Mr T]

Hi
We are just finishing a transition from the OE gas with Truma gas boiler to off grid electrics/solar and a diesel Truma heater.
The electrics is all but finished.
Cooking is now induction hob and MicroWave. Although fair to say that sitting outside with the BBQ is still the nicest ( weather permitting)
460Amp hr battery and the various Victron matched products. All nicely installed as follows.
Battery is in the lower wardrobe cupboard , loosing the lower tray.
The main link up is in the adjacent cupboard, raised lower tray by 30mm
Tech cupboard now full with Inverter MPPT etc.
We have a new easy to view Cerbo control panel and are not unhappy to loose the battery condition indicator from the VW panel.

We found within the roof the factory fit roof cable for Solar and this brought the Solar input straight into the tech cupboard.

Within the next 2 weeks we will have swapped out the Truma 6E for the D6 combi.

No judgements made as yet - as we have not travelled and used it.
I will add updates and some images subsequently. We had a T6 previously that had no gas but solar/lithium battery ( below passenger seat) and a diesel Eperspacher heater. We never hooked up in 2 years usage.

Sounds like you’ve made some good progress to going gas free. I’d be interested to learn how challenging fitting the induction hob was, pics would be welcomed if possible?
Many thanks.

 

[Black.Sheep.Cali]

Hi
We are just finishing a transition from the OE gas with Truma gas boiler to off grid electrics/solar and a diesel Truma heater.
The electrics is all but finished.
Cooking is now induction hob and MicroWave. Although fair to say that sitting outside with the BBQ is still the nicest ( weather permitting)
460Amp hr battery and the various Victron matched products. All nicely installed as follows.
Battery is in the lower wardrobe cupboard , loosing the lower tray.
The main link up is in the adjacent cupboard, raised lower tray by 30mm
Tech cupboard now full with Inverter MPPT etc.
We have a new easy to view Cerbo control panel and are not unhappy to loose the battery condition indicator from the VW panel.

We found within the roof the factory fit roof cable for Solar and this brought the Solar input straight into the tech cupboard.

Within the next 2 weeks we will have swapped out the Truma 6E for the D6 combi.

No judgements made as yet - as we have not travelled and used it.
I will add updates and some images subsequently. We had a T6 previously that had no gas but solar/lithium battery ( below passenger seat) and a diesel Eperspacher heater. We never hooked up in 2 years usage.

As a few have said. Interested to see the swap over of the hob but also the solar install. We have ordered our GC680 without solar opting to sort ourselves and to see what you’ve done would be great.

 

[PaulGC680]

Ok some images. These are the bespoke brackets for mounting the solar panel. I offset it towards the awning as it would be less visible that way.

 

[PaulGC680]

The worktop and induction hob. Just awaiting bespoke chopping board to go where the cardboard is.

 

[PaulGC680]

And some of the electrical installation

 

[Kayleigh]

Wouldn’t it be easier to get an ecoflow delta 2 max plus alternator charger and then get a countertop induction cooker you just take out of the cupboard when you need it?