Hello from New Zealand

KiwiGrandCali680 · Jan 3, 2023

Hello from downunder. We have a 2022 GC680 and loving it so far. We have had a CI Riviera 181 - 6 berth - on Fiat Ducato chassis for 12 years and now getting used to different “living” in smaller habitation area. VW drives like a dream! We have made a few tiny mods (added shelves and bungees) and will make smaller table soon. (Does anyone know where to source folding leg and brackets that slot into rail)? One thing we notice is that habitation battery goes flat in about 2 weeks when left unused and locked up, parked under a carport. ……. anyone have a similar experience?
Cheers 4 now

Hawthorn37 · Jan 4, 2023

Welcome to the forum! You have a very nice van there.

We have a T6.1 Cali, so our leisure battery experience will be different. We’ve found if nothing is left on (such as lights, fridge), then the battery doesn’t go flat when the van is not being used. The control panel should show the amperage being drawn. Since we fitted a dashcam (with an active parking mode) the main engine battery discharges in around 3 days, so the van is kept hooked up to a outlet in our garage. Once the engine battery is topped up, the leisure battery is then topped up (floats when fully charged).

Mattsv · Jan 4, 2023

Kia ora. We love NZ, have some great friends in Whanganui - have been over to stay with them times and seen pretty much all of the North Island from the Cape down to Wellington. Last trip over was Jan 2020 - just before covid kicked in. Cannot wait to get back again.

andyinluton · Jan 4, 2023

KiwiGrandCali680 said:
Hello from downunder. We have a 2022 GC680 and loving it so far. We have had a CI Riviera 181 - 6 berth - on Fiat Ducato chassis for 12 years and now getting used to different “living” in smaller habitation area. VW drives like a dream! We have made a few tiny mods (added shelves and bungees) and will make smaller table soon. (Does anyone know where to source folding leg and brackets that slot into rail)? One thing we notice is that habitation battery goes flat in about 2 weeks when left unused and locked up, parked under a carport. ……. anyone have a similar experience?
Cheers 4 now

For table hinges that fit the rail, check the unused ones on the underside of the table in the rear door & be brave drilling out the rivets! Alternatively have you tried that small table inside the van? it clips to the rail & only needs one other leg down for it to be stable.

Re the battery drain, someone recently suggested that the Truma heater control panel under the bench is live even with the red switch turned off - may be worth investigating.

KiwiGrandCali680 · Jan 5, 2023

Hello Andy, thanks for that. Will check both your suggestions.

KiwiGrandCali680 · Jan 5, 2023

Hawthorn37 said:
Welcome to the forum! You have a very nice van there.

We have a T6.1 Cali, so our leisure battery experience will be different. We’ve found if nothing is left on (such as lights, fridge), then the battery doesn’t go flat when the van is not being used. The control panel should show the amperage being drawn. Since we fitted a dashcam (with an active parking mode) the main engine battery discharges in around 3 days, so the van is kept hooked up to a outlet in our garage. Once the engine battery is topped up, the leisure battery is then topped up (floats when fully charged).

Thank you

KiwiGrandCali680 · Jan 5, 2023

Mattsv said:
Kia ora. We love NZ, have some great friends in Whanganui - have been over to stay with them times and seen pretty much all of the North Island from the Cape down to Wellington. Last trip over was Jan 2020 - just before covid kicked in. Cannot wait to get back again.

Hi … yes NZ is pretty amazing. Feel free to call in when you next visit ….