New van - snagging/To do list

[jwgs]

Any time you are not on hook-up and want to run mains powered devices EcoFlow is brilliant. The built in inverter is limited (300w) and not great for sensitive equipment (doesn't have a pure sine wave inverter). So for those wanting an off-grid office, (or like us wanting to boil a camping kettle or make some toast without hooking up the gas!) they are essential.

The Delta 2 has a much bigger inverter than that. I've run my 1800W heat gun from mine without issue.

 

[jwgs]

I'm interested in the EcoFlow and have been looking on their website. The Mk1 is £549 but the Mk2 is £899. Do you know what the differences are between the two?

MK2 is LiFEPO4, Mk1 is standard Lithium-Ion, AFAIK

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

The Delta 2 has a much bigger inverter than that. I've run my 1800W heat gun from mine without issue.

I should have been clearer - it is the Cali inbuilt inverter that is 300w and a modified sine wave. The ecoflows have pure sine wave and high rated inverters. They can power appliances up to 1800w - greater for short surges. That is why they are so popular.

 

[Resfeber]

See if you can undo the security wheel bolts.

Then replace with standard bolts

 

[Goldi]

See if you can undo the security wheel bolts.

Ive just tried undoing them for the first time since owning my Cali. The van's wheel brace wouldn't do it. The socket kept on coming off the top of the security bolt. So I got my 2 foot long 3/4" drive torque wrench + 1/2" adaptor, out & succeeded. I'm swopping the front/ back wheels over to extend the tyre life & after seeing lohr500's advice concerning the difficulty getting them off, I bought a tub of copper grease to apply to hubs/alloys before refitting. I am presently trying to get them off, so far without success. Will update if & when I succeed. There's nowhere safe to put an axle stand either so the spare wheel will have to suffice.
Update: I got the wheel off with sledgehammer applied to inner side of tyre. Put spare on to support Cali, went to take off front wheel but the socket just turns on the head of the security bolt. The teeth inside the master unlock key was damaged but the head of the security bolts were ok. So I found a matching aftermarket unlock key on Amazon for £20 & got the security bolts off. I used a 4x4"x8 foot fencepost with one end against the bottom of inside wall of the tyres, slung underneath & protruding out other side about a foot, then after several wacks with a sledgehammer, they came off. Four new standard wheel bolts cost me tad over £50 from VW dealer.

 

[KGCali]

Clean all the roof drains, especially the front, use a 100ml syringe with warm slightly soapy water.

 

[Resfeber]

Ive just tried undoing them for the first time since owning my Cali. The van's wheel brace wouldn't do it. The socket kept on coming off the top of the security bolt. So I got my 2 foot long 3/4" drive torque wrench + 1/2" adaptor, out & succeeded. I'm swopping the front/ back wheels over to extend the tyre life & after seeing lohr500's advice concerning the difficulty getting them off, I bought a tub of copper grease to apply to hubs/alloys before refitting. I am presently trying to get them off, so far without success. Will update if & when I succeed. There's nowhere safe to put an axle stand either so the spare wheel will have to suffice.
Update: I got the wheel off with sledgehammer applied to inner side of tyre. Put spare on to support Cali, went to take off front wheel but the socket just turns on the head of the security bolt. Won't grip. I think it will have to be drilled out. What an unbelievable pain in the a*+!

Most tyre depots have damaged/missing adapter locknut removers (for a reasonable fee)

 

[Kayleigh]

Update: I got the wheel off with sledgehammer applied to inner side of tyre.

A sledgehammer! Make sure you only hit top and bottom so you don’t put the tracking out

 

[The Tall Luthier]

A spacemate sliding tray!

You’re going to buy one eventually.

It makes packing the rear storage of your ocean so easy that you’ll not regret it. No more unpacking everything to get to that one item at the back.

VW California SpaceMate for Ocean, Coast & Beach Rear Sliding Drawer

VW California SpaceMate for Ocean, Coast & Beach Rear Sliding Drawer

spacematetray.com

Shelving for wardrobe
It doesn’t need much just one extra shelf, available at the shop.

VW California Wardrobe Shelf - (T6.1 only) - CampervanBits

A very handy shelf that can be simply fit to the california with no assembley required. (T6.1 Only)

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Amazon packing cubes. Two sets for His and hers. Indispensable again for navigating the wardrobe

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014VBHEFW?tag=vwcalifornia-21

 

[BigAl]

Remove the wheels (one at a time) and apply a light smear of anti-seize compound like coppaslip to the central hub spigot and flat mating surfaces on each hub. Just keep the compound well away from the wheel bolts or threads in the hub.

it will make changing a wheel so much easier if you need to at the side of a busy road. They have a well documented habit of being very difficult to separate due to corrosion between the alloy rim and the hub. Even just a few months from being new.

Thanks for this suggestion. Just about to buy some coppaslip or copper grease. How much will I need? Looks like you can buy from 20g to 500g+. Thanks

 

[Resfeber]

Thanks for this suggestion. Just about to buy some coppaslip or copper grease. How much will I need? Looks like you can buy from 20g to 500g+. Thanks

20g would do.
My 500g tub has lasted over 12 years and about 25% used

 

[lohr500]

Thanks for this suggestion. Just about to buy some coppaslip or copper grease. How much will I need? Looks like you can buy from 20g to 500g+. Thanks

I would buy a 500g tin. Halfords sell it for £9.69. You might find it cheaper in a local motor factors, or similar.
I bet you will end up paying £3 or£4 for a small tube, so for a few £ more, get the big tub.
I'm sure it will come in handy for other jobs in the future.

It's not designed for greasing rotating or fast moving part, but it is an excellent anti seize grease on things like hinge pins, screws, etc.