What have you bought for your Cali today :-)

[Kennnyboy]

Hi. Do you have a link for these? Are they one size only?

Just look up the backmara mats in IKEA.

 

[branwell]

Ordered and then installed a set of Laser Lamps today. Should make the winter trips a little easier. Other benefit is when I told LV insurance they gave me a small refund!

 

[acer]

Ordered and then installed a set of Laser Lamps today. Should make the winter trips a little easier. Other benefit is when I told LV insurance they gave me a small refund!

View attachment 142015

Looks good! However, I’m totally ignorant. Are they for use in fog alone?

 

[sidepod]

Looks good! However, I’m totally ignorant. Are they for use in fog alone?

Too high for fog.

 

[branwell]

Looks good! However, I’m totally ignorant. Are they for use in fog alone?

No not fog, they are LED spotlights which are wired to work only on high beam. A major enhancement to the stock lights.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

No not fog, they are LED spotlights which are wired to work only on high beam. A major enhancement to the stock lights.

In winter it’s great to also have the yellow covers for them. This really improves visibility in fog or snow.


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[wildslammer22]

Ordered and then installed a set of Laser Lamps today. Should make the winter trips a little easier. Other benefit is when I told LV insurance they gave me a small refund!

View attachment 142015

Definitely in the top 3 of all the upgrades I’ve done to my van, spendy but you’ll not regret it I’m sure.

 

[Ghostbuster]

Another little find and purchase. My drive away kit slides all over the place so I thought I would try some end stops.
I might colour them in fluorescent paint though because they are so small I might lose them if I drop them.

 

[smurfo]

Did you manage to find or make a hanging rail?

I folded and ordered the OEM part, will update the topic I opened with exact dimensions once it arrives.

 

[Steve&Bev]

It’s guaranteed to attract mosquitoes

It’s guaranteed to attract mosquitoes

Maypole also sell a mosquito killer (coincidence?)

 

[Flower Power]

In winter it’s great to also have the yellow covers for them. This really improves visibility in fog or snow.


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Yes, that is the truth but...... is this allowed in the EU and CH? Yellow lights, I mean... even fog lights.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Yes, that is the truth but...... is this allowed in the EU and CH? Yellow lights, I mean... even fog lights.

I’ve never had an issue. I was stopped for a police control and they didn’t say anything. Again, these are only activated with high beams. They are not on all the time with the headlights.


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[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Yes, that is the truth but...... is this allowed in the EU and CH? Yellow lights, I mean... even fog lights.

Also, these are mounted with simple plastic clips. If any doubt or control you can take them off in seconds.


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[Viktorgeorge]

Thanks to @SanderR72 and to @Bigted i now have one of these above. As per:

https://makerworld.com/en/models/13...ornia-upper-bed-step-ladder#profileId-1440447

 

[dirtyboy]

Welll, just bought the van and now "kitting out".

So far...
* 2 x small usb things to go in the cigarette lighters to charge stuff, they're small and sit flush, so ideal. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09D3NXCBL?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

* Some silicone trivets to protect the glass on the kitchen units.

* Heko wind deflectors

* Tear aid fabric repair kit (small 'knick' in the canvas I wanted to sort asap)

* Sliding window blind with trays https:///product/campervan-parts/vw...-california-ocean-coast-se-7e7-068-761-a-y20/ you install this from inside the cupboard and takes about 30 seconds - if you knew to start with that's how you do it lol

* Booked in for full tinted windows on living area with the awning rails and awning both wrapped black.

* 20" alloys (sorry all) TSW, will probably get a subscription to Max Power magazine too.

 

[acer]

View attachment 142116View attachment 142115

Thanks to @SanderR72 and to @Bigted i now have one of these above. As per:

https://makerworld.com/en/models/13...ornia-upper-bed-step-ladder#profileId-1440447

Looks like it makes for an uncomfortable driving position.

 

[BeachBound]

At 110k miles when I bought her the van really needed new front dampers so I had Koni Special Active FSDs installed.



They're meant to be able to adapt to different types of suspension input.

They're much better than the old knackered dampers (which were terrible), but I can't compare to a new pair of cheaper OE dampers as I've never experienced those. Just thought I'd try an upgrade over the stock ones as they needed doing. Also, they're red.

 

[Perfectos]

At 110k miles when I bought her the van really needed new front dampers so I had Koni Special Active FSDs installed.

View attachment 142151

They're meant to be able to adapt to different types of suspension input.

They're much better than the old knackered dampers (which were terrible), but I can't compare to a new pair of cheaper OE dampers as I've never experienced those. Just thought I'd try an upgrade over the stock ones as they needed doing. Also, they're red.

I bet that drives like a new van on those Koni's

 

[Hawthorn37]

Ordered and then installed a set of Laser Lamps today. Should make the winter trips a little easier. Other benefit is when I told LV insurance they gave me a small refund!

View attachment 142015

We fitted some bright led fog lamps on our 6.1 this year to replace the factory fitted halogens. They make a massive difference when driving through lanes !

 

[Viktorgeorge]

I find myself using EV chargers often in winter (Type 2, AC chargers) with an adapter to CEE 16A EHU. In Winter it’s the easiest way to keep the batteries topped up without enough hours in the day on solar to recharge 360Ah of batteries.

That, and at least in Switzerland there are a lot of these chargers that are in the mountains and along lakefronts in rural areas that are not in use during the night. Perfect for a one night wild camp on AC with a near silent electric heater (diesel heaters are a clear giveaway that someone is sleeping inside).


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@Webbah_in_Switzerland when you "one night wild camp" connected to a charging station, with the Ecomat+ running etc., presumably there is only a nominal kW/h charge as you do not have EV batteries to charge, but is there not also a time charge (to prevent 'EV hogging') for the longer period you are connected? I like your idea, but I want to understand what the total EV station charges will be.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

It depends on the charging network. Fortunately we have a decent one in and around Luzern called “eCarUp” which typically has rates of 0.45 CHF per KWh and that’s it. No time charge. If I’m running the heater, Starlink, 5g and fridge/freezer over a night and until lunch the following day (around 12 hours total) I’d use about 7-9 KWh and pay between 3.15 to 4.05 CHF total. Some parking is free, but some locations also charge for parking. So tack on another 3.50 - 7 CHF for a half or full day respectively. Parking is free overnight in most locations and is charging from 7-8AM until 7-8PM.

Note, those estimates also include me topping up my batteries from 40-50% to 100%. The rest of the time it’s simply pulling shore power for consumption and float charging the batteries. Finally, the heater uses less consumption once the heat stabilizes and it’s maintaining temps.

So many variables but you get the idea I hope.


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[Viktorgeorge]

It depends on the charging network. Fortunately we have a decent one in and around Luzern called “eCarUp” which typically has rates of 0.45 CHF per KWh and that’s it. No time charge. If I’m running the heater, Starlink, 5g and fridge/freezer over a night and until lunch the following day (around 12 hours total) I’d use about 7-9 KWh and pay between 3.15 to 4.05 CHF total. Some parking is free, but some locations also charge for parking. So tack on another 3.50 - 7 CHF for a half or full day respectively. Parking is free overnight in most locations and is charging from 7-8AM until 7-8PM.

Note, those estimates also include me topping up my batteries from 40-50% to 100%. The rest of the time it’s simply pulling shore power for consumption and float charging the batteries. Finally, the heater uses less consumption once the heat stabilizes and it’s maintaining temps.

So many variables but you get the idea I hope.


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Thank you, very helpful and yes I now get the idea.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Thank you, very helpful and yes I now get the idea.

Here's a pro tip if you will be traveling around Europe. Use either the EnBw or Meingau apps and create an account. Both offer access to almost all charging networks around all of Europe (including Switzerland and maybe UK) and you can choose to either pay the base rates, or pay 5 Euro a month to get fixed rates throughout Europe on almost all networks. These are based out of Germany but they allowed me to create a membership living in Switzerland and I use mostly EnBw everywhere while driving my Tesla. They have very fair rates for charging and it simplifies network access by only having one app or rfid key to start the charging. The exception I've found are the slower AC chargers around Luzern are often owned by the local municipalities and energy companies and they use the eCarUp network. All the DC fast chargers are on more regional networks that EnBw or Meingau support.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Here's a pro tip if you will be traveling around Europe. Use either the EnBw or Meingau apps and create an account. Both offer access to almost all charging networks around all of Europe (including Switzerland and maybe UK) and you can choose to either pay the base rates, or pay 5 Euro a month to get fixed rates throughout Europe on almost all networks. These are based out of Germany but they allowed me to create a membership living in Switzerland and I use mostly EnBw everywhere while driving my Tesla. They have very fair rates for charging and it simplifies network access by only having one app or rfid key to start the charging. The exception I've found are the slower AC chargers around Luzern are often owned by the local municipalities and energy companies and they use the eCarUp network. All the DC fast chargers are on more regional networks that EnBw or Meingau support.

Thank you @Webbah_in_Switzerland. More useful information.

I bought a Type 2 to Schuko adaptor*, as I use a normal Schuko extension lead joined to the Schuko/hookup supplied with the van.

I bought the adaptor to experiment with your ‘overnight stop’ idea which is clever.

What I am not sure about is firstly how the charging stations will react to such a low load (from what you suggest and the diagram below it should be fine) and secondly whether, if that load continues to be drawn, the charging stations could determine that full charge has been reached so that it switches over to ‘parking’ i.e. ‘EV hogging’ charges which from a Grok enquiry (see "Idle/overstay fees" and "how this discourages parking" sections) can be very heavy.

https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtMg%3D%3D_64dfe105-b429-4482-8df1-a367e8f139ed

*

BOROCO Adapter Type2 to Schuko, 3.5 kW 220V16A Type 2 Charging Adapter Charging Station for Electric Bikes, Scooters, Electric Wheelchairs : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

BOROCO Adapter Type2 to Schuko, 3.5 kW 220V16A Type 2 Charging Adapter Charging Station for Electric Bikes, Scooters, Electric Wheelchairs : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

amzn.eu

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Thank you @Webbah_in_Switzerland. More useful information.

I bought a Type 2 to Schuko adaptor*, as I use a normal Schuko extension lead joined to the Schuko/hookup supplied with the van.

I bought the adaptor to experiment with your ‘overnight stop’ idea which is clever.

What I am not sure about is firstly how the charging stations will react to such a low load (from what you suggest and the diagram below it should be fine) and secondly whether, if that load continues to be drawn, the charging stations could determine that full charge has been reached so that it switches over to ‘parking’ i.e. ‘EV hogging’ charges which from a Grok enquiry can be very heavy.


*
View attachment 142177

BOROCO Adapter Type2 to Schuko, 3.5 kW 220V16A Type 2 Charging Adapter Charging Station for Electric Bikes, Scooters, Electric Wheelchairs : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

BOROCO Adapter Type2 to Schuko, 3.5 kW 220V16A Type 2 Charging Adapter Charging Station for Electric Bikes, Scooters, Electric Wheelchairs : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

amzn.eu

It’s all about common sense. I’ve never had an issue, and as an EV driver myself I am respectful to ensure I am not hogging a charger that someone else might need. Every charger will have the terms of charging posted or via an app. In my experience it’s typically the fast DC chargers that have idle fees, or AC chargers in congested downtown city areas. I’m typically using them up in the mountains in remote areas and usually I am the only one up there at night.


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