Mid life crisis Cali Swamper!

[Kayleigh]

Stay tuned, will soon have a little GC update to share with my swamper brethren

Full camo wrap?

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Full camo wrap?

Could be an indium grey and copper bronze two tone, who knows?

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Well there’s no way the Mrs was ever going to approve bronze wheels, however I feel these have enough of a note to them that if ever you take a wrong turn in the wilderness and end up on a CAMC site, you’ll see this Indium Grey GC among a sea of others and think to yourself…‘that must be jimmylondon’s van’.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

Well there’s no way the Mrs was ever going to approve bronze wheels, however I feel these have enough of a note to them that if ever you take a wrong turn in the wilderness and end up on a CAMC site, you’ll see this Indium Grey GC among a sea of others and think to yourself…‘that must be jimmylondon’s van’.

View attachment 129615

View attachment 129616

View attachment 129617

Looking good Winthorpe!

I’ve been looking at these for my Cali. Where did you buy from?

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Looking good Winthorpe!

I’ve been looking at these for my Cali. Where did you buy from?

Got them from the chaps over at Rogue Alloys, had them shipped without the Rogue logos on and sorted some VW ones separately. Couldn’t resist with a 10% off code and they’ve been very helpful throughout, their warranty’s also as good as anyone’s.

 

[Cali-donia]

Bike rack disassembled, powder coated, reassembled and fitted. I made a slight aesthetic change when putting it back together

 

[Kayleigh]

Looks like a really good job .

Of course to go full ‘mid life crisis Cali swamper’ you need to get the black molle board now

 

[CamperFam]

So this past weekend I fitted my new EcoFlow Alternator Charger to the Cali. Absolutely over the moon so thought i'd explain why.

Previously i've fitted a Change-over switch for the EHU (the switchboard thingie you can see). In simple terms, it allows me to choose how the van gets its EHU supply; either via the external socket as standard, OR by the (internally located) EcoFlow.

The joys of an EcoFlow Delta 2 is that they're able to be controlled from your smartphone. By standard, I leave the switch set on 'Ecoflow' rather than the external EHU. By doing this, it means that I can (at any point) simply power on my 3-pin sockets on the Delta 2, and the whole van comes alive as though it were on EHU; plug sockets work, battery gets topped up, which in turn gives me redundancy should my leisure battery die and I lose water pumps, boiler/heating etc.

The additional perk is should the starter battery ever go flat, it can also breathe new life into that too.

But this is where the Alternator Charger really comes into its own!

By standard, the leisure battery sits at about 12.5V with the engine off and ergo the alternator off. However, when the engine is on, most of the time it sits above that at around 13.5V-14.8V. I say 'most of the time', because the Grand Cali has a 'smart alternator' which means that it sents power to the battery at varying currents, and sometimes it doesn't peak past the 13.5V threshold i've set. The way round this is an override button on the GC's dash, which puts the current at full-chat!

The best bit is that when the current goes above 13.5V (engine on/battery button'd), it then charges the Delta 2 (1024Wh capacity) at 800W. Assuming that I dont go through an entire 1024Wh battery in that time, I only need to do brief driving trips on those days and i'll have topped the Delta 2 again (along with the leisure battery).

And as an added perk, I found out today that by connecting it up to an actual EHU point, because of the split charge relay, the EHU increases the voltage of the starter battery and in doing so, then diverts power to the Delta 2! So I never need to move it again! And it also means I can run my router and security cameras in perpetuity, all whilst being offgrid!

 

[Kayleigh]

So this past weekend I fitted my new EcoFlow Alternator Charger to the Cali. Absolutely over the moon so thought i'd explain why.

Previously i've fitted a Change-over switch for the EHU (the switchboard thingie you can see). In simple terms, it allows me to choose how the van gets its EHU supply; either via the external socket as standard, OR by the (internally located) EcoFlow.

The joys of an EcoFlow Delta 2 is that they're able to be controlled from your smartphone. By standard, I leave the switch set on 'Ecoflow' rather than the external EHU. By doing this, it means that I can (at any point) simply power on my 3-pin sockets on the Delta 2, and the whole van comes alive as though it were on EHU; plug sockets work, battery gets topped up, which in turn gives me redundancy should my leisure battery die and I lose water pumps, boiler/heating etc.

The additional perk is should the starter battery ever go flat, it can also breathe new life into that too.

But this is where the Alternator Charger really comes into its own!

By standard, the leisure battery sits at about 12.5V with the engine off and ergo the alternator off. However, when the engine is on, most of the time it sits above that at around 13.5V-14.8V. I say 'most of the time', because the Grand Cali has a 'smart alternator' which means that it sents power to the battery at varying currents, and sometimes it doesn't peak past the 13.5V threshold i've set. The way round this is an override button on the GC's dash, which puts the current at full-chat!

The best bit is that when the current goes above 13.5V (engine on/battery button'd), it then charges the Delta 2 (1024Wh capacity) at 800W. Assuming that I dont go through an entire 1024Wh battery in that time, I only need to do brief driving trips on those days and i'll have topped the Delta 2 again (along with the leisure battery).

And as an added perk, I found out today that by connecting it up to an actual EHU point, because of the split charge relay, the EHU increases the voltage of the starter battery and in doing so, then diverts power to the Delta 2! So I never need to move it again! And it also means I can run my router and security cameras in perpetuity, all whilst being offgrid!


View attachment 129975

Sounds like you have it sorted!
So the alternator charger is connected to your starter battery, is that correct?
I’m interested to know how you set up the Delta 2 to run as an EHU. I wonder if I could do the same in the Beach. Do you just have your leisure battery charging via the split charge relay? Or if you put the Delta 2 in EHU mode does it charge the leisure battery as well?

By the way, there is a new Delta 3 Plus coming out in December. It has the same capacity but builds on the success of the 2 with some some nice updates:

• 120w usb-c
• 1000w solar input
• 1500w mains input
• Super quiet fans

 

[Jimmylondon07]

@CamperFam is the man, he’s also offered to fit my changeover switch and an alternator charger when he’s in the area at the end of October. Top man so he is.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

So this past weekend I fitted my new EcoFlow Alternator Charger to the Cali. Absolutely over the moon so thought i'd explain why.

Previously i've fitted a Change-over switch for the EHU (the switchboard thingie you can see). In simple terms, it allows me to choose how the van gets its EHU supply; either via the external socket as standard, OR by the (internally located) EcoFlow.

The joys of an EcoFlow Delta 2 is that they're able to be controlled from your smartphone. By standard, I leave the switch set on 'Ecoflow' rather than the external EHU. By doing this, it means that I can (at any point) simply power on my 3-pin sockets on the Delta 2, and the whole van comes alive as though it were on EHU; plug sockets work, battery gets topped up, which in turn gives me redundancy should my leisure battery die and I lose water pumps, boiler/heating etc.

The additional perk is should the starter battery ever go flat, it can also breathe new life into that too.

But this is where the Alternator Charger really comes into its own!

By standard, the leisure battery sits at about 12.5V with the engine off and ergo the alternator off. However, when the engine is on, most of the time it sits above that at around 13.5V-14.8V. I say 'most of the time', because the Grand Cali has a 'smart alternator' which means that it sents power to the battery at varying currents, and sometimes it doesn't peak past the 13.5V threshold i've set. The way round this is an override button on the GC's dash, which puts the current at full-chat!

The best bit is that when the current goes above 13.5V (engine on/battery button'd), it then charges the Delta 2 (1024Wh capacity) at 800W. Assuming that I dont go through an entire 1024Wh battery in that time, I only need to do brief driving trips on those days and i'll have topped the Delta 2 again (along with the leisure battery).

And as an added perk, I found out today that by connecting it up to an actual EHU point, because of the split charge relay, the EHU increases the voltage of the starter battery and in doing so, then diverts power to the Delta 2! So I never need to move it again! And it also means I can run my router and security cameras in perpetuity, all whilst being offgrid!


View attachment 129975

What are you up to next month? Not much? Great!

I’ll shout you a couple of beers as my EF D2 wiring consultant.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

@CamperFam is the man, he’s also offered to fit my changeover switch and an alternator charger when he’s in the area at the end of October. Top man so he is.

Hah. Just seen this after my post demanding similar.

He’s also a fine purveyor of Falken rubber.

 

[CamperFam]

Hah! I've offered no such support! But will happily come visit to judge your efforts

@Kayleigh - Correct - alternator Charger is wired to the starter battery. Then the rest of the system just runs as intended with split charge relay etc.

Regarding the EHU switch - theres some brilliant guides from GordonH on the Grand Cali facebook group.

To explain in basic terms, the changeover switch sits between the EHU and the van switchbox. So without installing the EF Delta 2 plug, all the changeover switch would do would be to connect and disconnect the EHU socket from being plugged into the van. So on that 'blank side', i've installed a 3 pin that plugs into the EF Delta 2.

Ultimately it means that theres now one output from the changeover switch that goes into the van switchbox and two inputs into the changeover switch (EHU or EF Delta 2).

So now i'm simply switching between EHU socket or the 3pin that plugs into the EF Delta 2.

The neuance with the EF Delta 2 is with its remote operation via the app, if I leave it switched onto the 'EF Delta 2' connection, I can simply power on my 3 Pin sockets and the van starts charging.

In a stroke of genius I might add, i've connected my router via 12v aux socket instead, which means I can power that on idependently, so that it can run off the EF Delta 2, without the whole van having to be powered up as well.

 

[wildslammer22]

So this past weekend I fitted my new EcoFlow Alternator Charger to the Cali. Absolutely over the moon so thought i'd explain why.

Previously i've fitted a Change-over switch for the EHU (the switchboard thingie you can see). In simple terms, it allows me to choose how the van gets its EHU supply; either via the external socket as standard, OR by the (internally located) EcoFlow.

The joys of an EcoFlow Delta 2 is that they're able to be controlled from your smartphone. By standard, I leave the switch set on 'Ecoflow' rather than the external EHU. By doing this, it means that I can (at any point) simply power on my 3-pin sockets on the Delta 2, and the whole van comes alive as though it were on EHU; plug sockets work, battery gets topped up, which in turn gives me redundancy should my leisure battery die and I lose water pumps, boiler/heating etc.

The additional perk is should the starter battery ever go flat, it can also breathe new life into that too.

But this is where the Alternator Charger really comes into its own!

By standard, the leisure battery sits at about 12.5V with the engine off and ergo the alternator off. However, when the engine is on, most of the time it sits above that at around 13.5V-14.8V. I say 'most of the time', because the Grand Cali has a 'smart alternator' which means that it sents power to the battery at varying currents, and sometimes it doesn't peak past the 13.5V threshold i've set. The way round this is an override button on the GC's dash, which puts the current at full-chat!

The best bit is that when the current goes above 13.5V (engine on/battery button'd), it then charges the Delta 2 (1024Wh capacity) at 800W. Assuming that I dont go through an entire 1024Wh battery in that time, I only need to do brief driving trips on those days and i'll have topped the Delta 2 again (along with the leisure battery).

And as an added perk, I found out today that by connecting it up to an actual EHU point, because of the split charge relay, the EHU increases the voltage of the starter battery and in doing so, then diverts power to the Delta 2! So I never need to move it again! And it also means I can run my router and security cameras in perpetuity, all whilst being offgrid!


View attachment 129975

Great set up! A lot easier than my LifePO4 upgrade on my Ocean.

TBF my set up has been working great but the Bluetooth app is rubbish and now only sees both batteries as one. I have been wrestling with trying to see if a smartshunt will work but having a DC-DC connected to the front and the MPPT connected to the rear battery I can’t see how I could get accurate data. I’ve solved this by fitting a couple of Victron BatterySense monitors. So I can now see the actual voltage at each battery as well as current temps. So although I don’t get the same data a SmartShunt would give ie how many hours left at current load I can at least see that the chargers are doing their thing and maximise battery life/performance. It also satisfies my thirst for data. Just wish I had room for a Cerbo GX to consolidate it all in one place!

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Hah. Just seen this after my post demanding similar.

He’s also a fine purveyor of Falken rubber.

I’m happy to let you jump the queue, I’m waiting to see if his van goes up like a firework first

 

[wildslammer22]

I’m happy to let you jump the queue, I’m waiting to see if his van goes up like a firework first

I passed this on the way back from my trip to France. I believe @CamperFam was a consultant on their electrics too

 

[CamperFam]

You lot need to stop tempting fate....


please

 

[JuanVecino2023]

I passed this on the way back from my trip to France. I believe @CamperFam was a consultant on their electrics too

View attachment 129980

Probably slightly better QC than VW

 

[Habokjes]

NICE WORK!!

 

[Jimmylondon07]

I passed this on the way back from my trip to France. I believe @CamperFam was a consultant on their electrics too

View attachment 129980

That could be a non-Camperfammed GC to be fair, we’ve all got a recall notice to disconnect the gas bottle immediately as the gas system wasn’t tested properly at the factory. God bless VW quality control.

 

[CamperFam]

That could be a non-Camperfammed GC to be fair, we’ve all got a recall notice to disconnect the gas bottle immediately as the gas system wasn’t tested properly at the factory. God bless VW quality control.

I actually had a call this afternoon from VW in Leeds (VW VW, not VW Dealer) asking if I had booked in yet. I said I "I would have had it done, had VW *lcoal dealer* not messed me around and called my appointment because they werent skilled to.

The VW rep said 'any dealer can do it as its carried out by third parties. I'll have a word'.

Had a personal call this afternoon from the dealer committing to fix it before a trip away.

So theres clearly some concern from VW about it!

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Mine’s been in since last Friday, should be ready to collect tomorrow. 6 days ffs.

 

[Kayleigh]

Mine’s been in since last Friday, should be ready to collect tomorrow. 6 days ffs.

Mine needed a new crankshaft oil seal the other week and the dealer had it for 7 days. They had to order the tool to do the job! I’m not kidding!

 

[Corradobrit]

Move over everyone there's a new King in town

 

[Tycho]

Move over everyone there's a new King in town

View attachment 130466

Think this more an alpha dog thing