New to van culture!

PatrickH · Dec 12, 2024

Hi - I'm Patrick - I've been reminded after a month or so by your little postal pack of things to introduce myself. Thank you. You are all very friendly and your forum has been a great help. I'm a 'last of the 6.1s'. I was going to wait for the T7 but I didn't like the changes which were coming - so at the eleventh hour I went for the 5 year deal. It's a great van - there have been a been a few teething problems which my local non California VW dealer has kindly fixed. The thing I still don't fully get is the electrics, hookup charging and not running the starter battery flat. So I have couple of questions, please don't shout - go find the answer on the forum - I've tried and its seems variable as to the response.

I'm going to go to some music festivals!! - and I like music - all sorts - I'm not too impressed with the cali sound system - well - it's not great and and it rattles the panels which sounds like distortion - not that I go for loud heavy bass! Ηere's my start at a sound upgrade! But I might think about a few upgrades on the existent one as well. I've yet to make the wooden base which will make this all secure. It runs off the inverter although the 3 pin British plug doesn't sit too firmly and the connection can break. Should I just use a European 2 pin? or am I alone with my plug issue and its really a problem with the inverter socket?

So:-

Would it run the starter battery flat if I used the native sound system on hookup - or is the starter battery charged on hookup?
Does the inverter on the side off the drivers seat run of the leisure battery?
If we use the 12 V sockets on dash and at front under window and the USB sockets there, will I run the battery flat or not? on hookup and not on hookup?

Thanks - I'll post an update when I've made my secure plinth!

View attachment IMG_2250.jpeg

colintfcolintf · Dec 12, 2024

Hi Patrick and welcome.
seeing Truro made me smile, I was born not far from there

66tim99 · Dec 12, 2024

PatrickH said:
Hi - I'm Patrick - I've been reminded after a month or so by your little postal pack of things to introduce myself. Thank you. You are all very friendly and your forum has been a great help. I'm a 'last of the 6.1s'. I was going to wait for the T7 but I didn't like the changes which were coming - so at the eleventh hour I went for the 5 year deal. It's a great van - there have been a been a few teething problems which my local non California VW dealer has kindly fixed. The thing I still don't fully get is the electrics, hookup charging and not running the starter battery flat. So I have couple of questions, please don't shout - go find the answer on the forum - I've tried and its seems variable as to the response.

I'm going to go to some music festivals!! - and I like music - all sorts - I'm not too impressed with the cali sound system - well - it's not great and and it rattles the panels which sounds like distortion - not that I go for loud heavy bass! Ηere's my start at a sound upgrade! But I might think about a few upgrades on the existent one as well. I've yet to make the wooden base which will make this all secure. It runs off the inverter although the 3 pin British plug doesn't sit too firmly and the connection can break. Should I just use a European 2 pin? or am I alone with my plug issue and its really a problem with the inverter socket?

So:-

Would it run the starter battery flat if I used the native sound system on hookup - or is the starter battery charged on hookup?
Does the inverter on the side off the drivers seat run of the leisure battery?
If we use the 12 V sockets on dash and at front under window and the USB sockets there, will I run the battery flat or not? on hookup and not on hookup?

Thanks - I'll post an update when I've made my secure plinth!

View attachment 131279

Welcome here Patrick. Good decision to go for one of the last 6.1s, they are great vehicles.
I was disappointed with the sound from the factory speakers, so Advanced In-Car in in Poole upgraded them in 2021 to the Alpine tweeters in the A-pillar, and mid/bass in the door along with some sound deadening. Its a worthy upgrade, and just takes a morning/afternoon, which gives you an opportunity to visit Breeze Poole while you wait. I didn't go for the under-seat sub, but might treat myself soon.
Amazingly, the 6.1 isn't set up perfectly to utilise its sound system whilst camping. It switches itself off after about 20mins, ostensibly to preserve the vehicle battery. I understand that whilst on hook up the vehicle battery receives charge, so the need to maintain it by switching off the stereo when on hook up seems moot. Surely the van could recognise it's being charged and not switch off the stereo? Or just switch it off when the battery is depleted to a certain level? Or run the stereo off the leisure battery when camping? Nevertheless I often use it and just keep switching it back on (not always easy in the dark, as the pro haptics aren't backlit). I've run it for hours, with no sign of an issue starting the van. But I wouldn't do that if I was camped for a few days, and wasn't going to run the engine.
I also carry one of these Wonderbooms, which fits perfectly in the cupholder by the bench seat. Bit tricky to retrieve it, but works well, sounds good and is waterproof when you're outside the van.
Others best to answer your other questions but I believe:
- The inverter does run off the leisure batteries, and you can use a euro plug in it if the UK one comes loose (mine doesn't so might be worth investigating with your dealer?).
- The 12v's in the cab run off the vehicle battery I understand, and the ones next to the sink from the leisure batteries. So these, and the 240v plug, are the ones to use on hook-up.
Happy travels.

The Little Red Cali · Dec 12, 2024

As the previous poster says, the Cali isn't great for listening to music through its infotainment system whilst in camping mode. I purchased a small DAB Roberts radio that has its own built in battery. You can also use it as a Bluetooth speaker and stream music from your phone so all the bases are covered. It lasts about 2 months between charges and it's been great.

Viktorgeorge · Dec 12, 2024

Regarding 12v sockets, I understand the T6.1’s are all of the leisure batteries.

Post in thread 'T6.1 gremlins'
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/t6-1-gremlins.56254/post-728832

wildslammer22 · Dec 12, 2024

PatrickH said:
Hi - I'm Patrick - I've been reminded after a month or so by your little postal pack of things to introduce myself. Thank you. You are all very friendly and your forum has been a great help. I'm a 'last of the 6.1s'. I was going to wait for the T7 but I didn't like the changes which were coming - so at the eleventh hour I went for the 5 year deal. It's a great van - there have been a been a few teething problems which my local non California VW dealer has kindly fixed. The thing I still don't fully get is the electrics, hookup charging and not running the starter battery flat. So I have couple of questions, please don't shout - go find the answer on the forum - I've tried and its seems variable as to the response.

I'm going to go to some music festivals!! - and I like music - all sorts - I'm not too impressed with the cali sound system - well - it's not great and and it rattles the panels which sounds like distortion - not that I go for loud heavy bass! Ηere's my start at a sound upgrade! But I might think about a few upgrades on the existent one as well. I've yet to make the wooden base which will make this all secure. It runs off the inverter although the 3 pin British plug doesn't sit too firmly and the connection can break. Should I just use a European 2 pin? or am I alone with my plug issue and its really a problem with the inverter socket?

So:-

Would it run the starter battery flat if I used the native sound system on hookup - or is the starter battery charged on hookup?
Does the inverter on the side off the drivers seat run of the leisure battery?
If we use the 12 V sockets on dash and at front under window and the USB sockets there, will I run the battery flat or not? on hookup and not on hookup?

Thanks - I'll post an update when I've made my secure plinth!

View attachment 131279

Welcome and nice set up!

As I understand it the inverter is 300w max and runs off the leisure batteries. The 12v sockets on the kitchen and by the bench seat also from leisure batteries. I have a T6 and the 12v socket in the cab runs from the starter battery, this may be different in your T6.1.

What is your Naim amp output, if it’s less than 100w you should be fine to run it from the inverter. However if you are on hook up then you are best just using the 230v UK plug on the end of the kitchen. These gets its power from the onboard charger and won’t deplete you leisure batteries. The starter battery will get a trickle charge on hookup once the leisure batteries are charged but again I don’t understand why you wouldn’t just use the 230v socket on the kitchen unit? Unless you are referring to using the ICE system rather than your bespoke set up on hook up?

PatrickH · Dec 12, 2024

Ah thanks for all the advice. Thing is - I already have it and use it in my house. I've got it working well from the inverter although the plug is a bit loose in the socket. Sound is very good. Idea is to make it secure on a plinth and then I can use it when going along and when not on hookup. Uses a couple of amps on the power data screen.

There seems to be some confusion as to which battery the 12v and usb sockets are powered from in the cab.

Anyhow thanks and yeah it's a solid van with a good history of lasting well. The new one seems to be longer but then a lot of that looks like bonnet to be honest and the beds are narrower. I very nearly waited and then thought I didn't want to miss out. 'Last of the 6.1s' has got a bit of movie title about it hasn't it?