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Retro-fitting a parking heater connecting to the 6.1 control panel

Z

zuri_wolf

Messages
2
Location
Zurich, Switzerland
Vehicle
T6.1 Beach camper 150
Hello all,

When speccing our California 6.1 Beach mid-lockdown, we were on a budget and decided against the parking heater. We're regretting this decision and now looking at our options. I see that both the Webasto Airtop 2000 and the Eberspacher Airtronic D2 are good options and there's lots of good info on the forum about fitting etc.

The thing is, I was all for it until I saw how the heater is integrated into the control panel on a factory fit. I'm not so sure I want to install a separate digital display.

So, the questions are...
  1. Has anybody successfully retro fitted a heater AND integrated into the 6.1 control panel themselves?
  2. Has anybody successfully retro fitted a heater AND integrated into the 6.1 control panel with VW directly?

Thanks in advance
Zurifwolf
 
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I have the sam situation...have you found the solution?
 
Hey eru,

No, not found a solution for the parking heater. I've decided to go with a plug in heater next summer and will defer the parking heater decision for another time.

Thanks,
Mitch
 
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Reactions: eru
Perhaps easier to just have a separate small display then at least you can change the temp when sitting in the rear of the van. Factory fitted temp can only be adjusted from the overhead display in the cab.
 
Hey eru,

No, not found a solution for the parking heater. I've decided to go with a plug in heater next summer and will defer the parking heater decision for another time.

Thanks,
Mitch
Hey Mitch,

What did you get if I may ask? I am thinking about this a lot because we want to use our Cali also in spring and autumn and we have 2 small kids and a dog....so I am also thinking about if they can nock it down it's a problem....that's one of the reasons secondary display might be a problem because then the kids will always want to tinker with it.....

Thanks.
 
Hey Mitch,

What did you get if I may ask? I am thinking about this a lot because we want to use our Cali also in spring and autumn and we have 2 small kids and a dog....so I am also thinking about if they can nock it down it's a problem....that's one of the reasons secondary display might be a problem because then the kids will always want to tinker with it.....

Thanks.
If they can tinker with a secondary heater display the what is stopping them playing with the VW Control Panel?

The Diesel Parking Heater, as fitted by VW, has specialised software/firmware developed for/by VW to integrate with its own Control Panel.

The likelihood of being able to get hold of that software and be able to install on the heater itself is pretty slim if not impossible.
 
Buy the official VW heater from VW as a spare part - special software included?
 
Buy the official VW heater from VW as a spare part - special software included?
Would have to get the Control Panel software upgraded and knowing VW you could probably buy 2 or 3 Eberspacher Parking Heaters and have them fitted for the cost of 1 such heater from the VW Parts catalogue.
 
Would have to get the Control Panel software upgraded and knowing VW you could probably buy 2 or 3 Eberspacher Parking Heaters and have them fitted for the cost of 1 such heater from the VW Parts catalogue.
Is it different item/software or is it just a matter of the coding?
 
Is it different item/software or is it just a matter of the coding?
I'm not aware that the Control Panel software is accessible or readable from commercially available systems like VCDS or Carista or similar OBD dongles/software.
Knowing VW you would have to replace the Control Panel completely.

To be honest, probably the best/ economic way would be an Eberspacher/Webasto heater with its own control panel and software.

The heaters fitted by VW come with their own VW specific software to interface with the VW Control Panel.
 
I'm not aware that the Control Panel software is accessible or readable from commercially available systems like VCDS or Carista or similar OBD dongles/software.
Knowing VW you would have to replace the Control Panel completely.

To be honest, probably the best/ economic way would be an Eberspacher/Webasto heater with its own control panel and software.

The heaters fitted by VW come with their own VW specific software to interface with the VW Control Panel.
Yup that is the question. Our van, collecting it next week, was spec'd by the dealer with the Climatronic AC and I suspect we will need a heater as well, it just seems a bit naff to have a separate control if I can avoid it. I guess I can buy a heater taken out of a dead van and I suspect if I keep looking I'll find one from a T6.1 Cali. I may have to investigate the control when it arrives.

Otherwise it will be a Planar/Webasto with OE plastic.
 
Yup that is the question. Our van, collecting it next week, was spec'd by the dealer with the Climatronic AC and I suspect we will need a heater as well, it just seems a bit naff to have a separate control if I can avoid it. I guess I can buy a heater taken out of a dead van and I suspect if I keep looking I'll find one from a T6.1 Cali. I may have to investigate the control when it arrives.

Otherwise it will be a Planar/Webasto with OE plastic.
A 3rd party heater can be fitted very well and offers advantages over the VW installed and controlled heater. It can be accurately controlled temperature wise, have a remote control and more sophisticated programming and I believe some even have a phone app control.
I fear you will be opening a can of worms if you try to replicate the VW system. It would certainly be more expensive but not impossible.
 
You probably aren't wrong but I do like a challenge. Definitely not bothered about a remote and I don't want it phoning me up but I would accept a BT app as the controller.

BTW like your avatar. When were you there? We were there in August 2018 - bloody cold and wet. Plan to go back next June for a month or so.
 
You probably aren't wrong but I do like a challenge. Definitely not bothered about a remote and I don't want it phoning me up but I would accept a BT app as the controller.

BTW like your avatar. When were you there? We were there in August 2018 - bloody cold and wet. Plan to go back next June for a month or so.
2015 and 2022. Last time -7c , ice blizzard and last one in on the Monday and followed the snow plow out on the Wednesday.
 
2015 and 2022. Last time -7c , ice blizzard and last one in on the Monday and followed the snow plow out on the Wednesday.
OMG what time of year was that? We pitched up on the camp site in Alto mid August and drove to the Nordkapp for a day trip. Next year we plan June we did the Arctic Circle in 2016 and regreted not having time to go further.
It was sitting in bad weather on the Lofoten Islands that decided us to sell the T6 and build our Crafter. It was a great van for long trips but not for days out. Hence the new Beach.
100% going to do a heater to it this summer. I am thinking cost and common sense wise it will have to be a Planar and OE plastic. Strikes me that it’s a doable diy job - the fiddly bit being the doct through the B pillar.
 
OMG what time of year was that? We pitched up on the camp site in Alto mid August and drove to the Nordkapp for a day trip. Next year we plan June we did the Arctic Circle in 2016 and regreted not having time to go further.
It was sitting in bad weather on the Lofoten Islands that decided us to sell the T6 and build our Crafter. It was a great van for long trips but not for days out. Hence the new Beach.
100% going to do a heater to it this summer. I am thinking cost and common sense wise it will have to be a Planar and OE plastic. Strikes me that it’s a doable diy job - the fiddly bit being the doct through the B pillar.
I've done 4 trips to Scandinavia, search the Forum for Countdown 1,2,3,and 4, I normally go May into June. Campsites are open but it's quiet.
 
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