Why I decided NOT to wait for the GC

[transportnw]

Here you go, battery area. That’s a toaster btw. I noticed your control panel has more info than mine. Think this maybe your energy pack info? See my panel.
Also looked for an additional battery under floor. Just jack and tools area in mine. Least I know where they are now

View attachment 53839

View attachment 53840

Hi all, Have been following your thread with interest, very helpful. Out of interest what make & capacity is your leisure battery.

 

[itscalledbob]

Hi all, Have been following your thread with interest, very helpful. Out of interest what make & capacity is your leisure battery.

Without taking it and examining it I believe it’s a 115A AGM battery. Don’t know the make though.

 

[Jay20cali]

Sounds like the people at knaus go for there dinner then forget what they were doing,
Love the look of them but the feedback hasn’t been brilliant ......having to fix stuff on a 65k van that should have had checks right through the build process is pretty bad .shame there letting the side down because good factory crafter conversions are few....

 

[transportnw]

Without taking it and examining it I believe it’s a 115A AGM battery. Don’t know the make though.

Many thanks. Regards

 

[transportnw]

That really is a shame, I feel for you! I cannot understand why it has taken so long for you.

In my opinion it is the best camper on the market. Its easy for me to say this as I have got mine, but try and not settle second best, you are nearly there... Once you have it in your possession, you wont have to deal with Knaus directly again. All warranty bits are Dometic, Trumer and VW, so fixable without their involvement.

I have the English Manual now (photo copy), if your dealer can't supply it, I can scan it over to you.

Hang in there mate...
Hi, Can you advise me how you got hold of an English manual as they all seem to be printed in German. Any help would be much appreciated. Regards

 

[transportnw]

Hi, Can you advise me how you got hold of an English manual as they all seem to be printed in German. Any help would be much appreciated. Regards

 

[itscalledbob]

Sounds like the people at knaus go for there dinner then forget what they were doing,
Love the look of them but the feedback hasn’t been brilliant ......having to fix stuff on a 65k van that should have had checks right through the build process is pretty bad .shame there letting the side down because good factory crafter conversions are few....

I have some sympathy for knaus. I’ve purchased 2 new California’s in the past, the last one was a high spec’d T6 4 motion, and both came with a list of problems. I also recall someone on the forum ordering a T6 4 motion and a 2wd turned up! So I guess all manufactures seem to have their problems. In my experience the more complex and the higher the spec generally means the more teething problems. That said I am having by patience pushed to its limits....

 

[DNR]

Sounds like the people at knaus go for there dinner then forget what they were doing,
Love the look of them but the feedback hasn’t been brilliant ......having to fix stuff on a 65k van that should have had checks right through the build process is pretty bad .shame there letting the side down because good factory crafter conversions are few....

I have had many motorhomes and without exception, I have had to personally correct some issues with all of them. Living in Inverness and buying in England, I cant just pop back to the dealer, so I have become accustomed to it.

I am still waiting for cab floor mats and hub caps for my 'steel' wheels, some 3 month on. So Knaus could certainly do better. But the quality of the build is the best I have experienced, so for that I am a happy chappy... I absolutely love my Boxdrive, despite Knaus and because of Knaus!

 

[itscalledbob]

I have had many motorhomes and without exception, I have had to personally correct some issues with all of them. Living in Inverness and buying in England, I cant just pop back to the dealer, so I have become accustomed to it.

I am still waiting for cab floor mats and hub caps for my 'steel' wheels, some 3 month on. So Knaus could certainly do better. But the quality of the build is the best I have experienced, so for that I am a happy chappy... I absolutely love my Boxdrive, despite Knaus and because of Knaus!

I can echo the comments above. Also, if I can DIY I will DIY. Reason being, I can guarantee the quality of my workmanship. I’ve had so many bad experience with garages and particularly with VW, I recall my local dealer having my last Cali 4 times over a 6 month period (at least a week each time) to fix a trim panel they damaged. Each time something stop them completing the repair. The last time they spent so much time valeting it they actually forgot to fix the panel!! (Seriously). They all have their issues... (Don’t mention the dreaded roof rot)

Another point is the more I dig around the knaus the more impressed I am about its build quality....

 

[itscalledbob]

Hi all, Have been following your thread with interest, very helpful. Out of interest what make & capacity is your leisure battery.

im in a better position to answer this now.... it is an AGM and the details are as follows....

 

[itscalledbob]

Here you go, battery area. That’s a toaster btw. I noticed your control panel has more info than mine. Think this maybe your energy pack info? See my panel.
Also looked for an additional battery under floor. Just jack and tools area in mine. Least I know where they are now

Im embarrassed to say I've found all three batteries...

The vehicle battery is indeed where @knwldgeseker said it was (under the passenger footwell....)
The 2nd battery is fitted under the bonnet (which is what I assumed was the vehicle battery ) and the 3rd is in the garage under the bed. Soooo the only problem (other than the dreadful delays) has been a couple of wiring faults....

 

[Jay20cali]

I have had many motorhomes and without exception, I have had to personally correct some issues with all of them. Living in Inverness and buying in England, I cant just pop back to the dealer, so I have become accustomed to it.

I am still waiting for cab floor mats and hub caps for my 'steel' wheels, some 3 month on. So Knaus could certainly do better. But the quality of the build is the best I have experienced, so for that I am a happy chappy... I absolutely love my Boxdrive, despite Knaus and because of Knaus!

Yep totally agree I had a Westfalia columbus.
Shower door loose st/st bolt seized so it wouldn’t tighten,skylight didn’t close fully and the sliding door hinge was catching on the fitted floor when it was shut.
Sometimes it’s much easier and better to do the jobs yourself at least you know it’s done properly.

 

[itscalledbob]

Jeez, things you should not need to do with a new vehicle!

@DNR would you mind DM'ing your profile won't let me send you a message.

 

[transportnw]

Hi DNR, can you tell me if you have a battery under the bonnet (n/s) please. I'm trying to establish if the one I refer to is a habitation battery or a VW fitment. Any help with sourcing an English Boxdrive manual would be much appreciated.
Thanks itscalledbob for your battery info.

 

[itscalledbob]

Hi DNR, can you tell me if you have a battery under the bonnet (n/s) please. I'm trying to establish if the one I refer to is a habitation battery or a VW fitment. Any help with sourcing an English Boxdrive manual would be much appreciated.
Thanks itscalledbob for your battery info.

I have one on order and when it turns up I'll scan you a copy, don't hold your breath tho....

 

[knwldgeseker]

I haven’t got that. All my heating is through the Truma unit, diesel only. Do you have electric heating?
Have you got this info knwldgeseker?

Sorry, been away. Yes, I have this

 

[knwldgeseker]

So, I’ve now checked and I have a completely empty cupboard where you guys have a third battery....
It also appears that my habitation battery and engine battery have been swapped around, according to my solar installer. This was based upon their spec.
I am abroad until mid-March now so it won’t be until then I can get the van into a dealer to sort the wiring - you might recall my wiring is all messed up, the power to my step is on when it should be off and vice-versa for the fridge.

 

[knwldgeseker]

But....... it is such a solid vehicle to drive, really comfortable and enjoyable. Can’t wait to use it. I have the detachable towbar option and my next task is to find a reasonably priced Motolug trailer for my motorbike.

 

[itscalledbob]

So, I’ve now checked and I have a completely empty cupboard where you guys have a third battery....
It also appears that my habitation battery and engine battery have been swapped around, according to my solar installer. This was based upon their spec.
I am abroad until mid-March now so it won’t be until then I can get the van into a dealer to sort the wiring - you might recall my wiring is all messed up, the power to my step is on when it should be off and vice-versa for the fridge.

im intrigued to hear if @DNR has a battery under his bonnet as it looks like he may have got the
optional energy pack as a freebee

 

[knwldgeseker]

By the way, I got hold of an English manual, don’t have a scanned copy but happy to take photos and post them up here of any specific sections anybody might particularly want or need. It’s not the most comprehensive of publications....

Can only do this up to Tuesday lunchtime though as then I’ll be gone again

 

[transportnw]

So, I’ve now checked and I have a completely empty cupboard where you guys have a third battery....
It also appears that my habitation battery and engine battery have been swapped around, according to my solar installer. This was based upon their spec.
I am abroad until mid-March now so it won’t be until then I can get the van into a dealer to sort the wiring - you might recall my wiring is all messed up, the power to my step is on when it should be off and vice-versa for the fridge.

My Boxdrive has Banner agm 95ah starter battery in floorplan and Banner agm 95ah in engine compartment

 

[transportnw]

Sorry new to this. Following on from above: ...... plus battery 95a/h in rear garage. Looking at the Dometic charger unit (again in rear garage) it appears the output to trickle charge the starter battery is not used neither is the 2nd battery charging circuit., I'm thinking VW or Knaus might have wired additional battery charging another way. Looks like my starter battery been changed as well as VW have it down as coming off the line as a Moll 92ah agm. Really struggling with all other fitments as van only came with VW handbook and Boxdrive manual in German and nothing else, chasing supplier as we speak but any help would be great. as I'm operating on a trial and error basis at the moment.. I might add many thanks to all members for the knowledge gained from this forum . The panel only seems to monitor one battery but as its exclusive to Knaus can't seem to find any download info. At the moment the side door step, when extended for exiting the van and closing the door and left extended for re-entry , retracts as soon as the same door is re-opened which beats the purpose of it in my mind. Following this action the step control switch's are inoperative until the ignition keys are put in and the ignition turned on!.Probaly something simple but again no manual.

 

[transportnw]

I have one on order and when it turns up I'll scan you a copy, don't hold your breath tho....

Many Thanks.

 

[knwldgeseker]

Sorry new to this. Following on from above: ...... plus battery 95a/h in rear garage. Looking at the Dometic charger unit (again in rear garage) it appears the output to trickle charge the starter battery is not used neither is the 2nd battery charging circuit., I'm thinking VW or Knaus might have wired additional battery charging another way. Looks like my starter battery been changed as well as VW have it down as coming off the line as a Moll 92ah agm. Really struggling with all other fitments as van only came with VW handbook and Boxdrive manual in German and nothing else, chasing supplier as we speak but any help would be great. as I'm operating on a trial and error basis at the moment.. I might add many thanks to all members for the knowledge gained from this forum . The panel only seems to monitor one battery but as its exclusive to Knaus can't seem to find any download info. At the moment the side door step, when extended for exiting the van and closing the door and left extended for re-entry , retracts as soon as the same door is re-opened which beats the purpose of it in my mind. Following this action the step control switch's are inoperative until the ignition keys are put in and the ignition turned on!.Probaly something simple but again no manual.

This sounds very like the issue I have, my Solar installers (Sunstore, very good and highly recommended) are also auto electricians and I'd asked them to give a quick look at it but not make any changes or put too much time in as it was going to be a warranty issue. They identified the problem quickly, this was what they reported:

''The van has a D+ signal to the control board. This works correctly..
However then it is attached to the board with - (neg) . the relays close and join the batteries for charging.. the step retracts and the fridge turns on. So when the engine is off.. the step holds closed.. the fridge power turns on.. and the batteries join.. this appears to be a reverse of what it should be.. the relay switched with negative feed to D+
Turn the engine on and D+ is 12v.. the fridge turns off.. the step works fine and the batteries are disconnected.. and not charging.
I think there must be programming error here. can we reprogram it for the customer.. ?
Also, once this is solved the fridge must be addressed as it is a compressor fridge and should run on permanent 12v not on ignition d+ only..''

I have to wait until I get a chance at the end of March to get it into a dealer to get this addressed. Knaus' Quality Control/pdi is atrocious, there is no excuse for it.

As I said in an earlier post I have an English manual (but no scan) and am happy to post photos of any specific pages for you but after Tuesday lunchtime I'm gone for three weeks or so. But I don't think the manual is going to help you in the slightest from what I can see...............

 

[DNR]

im intrigued to hear if @DNR has a battery under his bonnet as it looks like he may have got the
optional energy pack as a freebee

I do have a battery under the bonnet, it has a big fuse there too, so guessing it is connected the Knaus gubbins. I cant work out where a battery would fit under the floor, the space doesn't look big enough.

Remind me what the Energy Pack is?

Wouldn't surprise me if I have got something extra for nothing as I didn't order 177bhp or Auto, but it came with it