EHU cable and batteries. Ramblings of a stuck mad man.

[sidepod]

I’m curious? Just how much kit are you guys carrying around if you can’t find a bit of space for a short length of coiled cable?

 

[acer]

The cube fuse in my cali T6.1 ocean had blown 2 months ago, I had only 50% of normal capacity until I replaced the fuse .

Thanks Roger, I'll ask VW to check it when they do a service in June. I'd replace one of those fuses under the passenger seat, but the cube fuse on the battery sounds like it might be a bit trickier.

 

[acer]

I’m curious? Just how much kit are you guys carrying around if you can’t find a bit of space for a short length of coiled cable?

Our current cable is 20m and not that easy to coil, no matter what technique I try to use, or which youtube video I follow.
However, I guess there is always room. If I had to take a couple of bodyboards with us and even if the kids wanted to come along to use them I'd find the room! But it's keeping things simple and organised so that you're not having to move stuff around to access the thing you want all of the time. I always find it annoying if I take something and it doesn't come in useful - including Mrs Acer .

 

[Roger Boeken]

I suppose I ought to have VW do the work if I were going to replace the batteries so as to not invalidate my warranty. Was that price using VW?

I guess even on leisure batteries there is at least 2y warranty ?
Hard to beleive leisure batteries needs replacement after 1y.

 

[acer]

There's a 5 year warranty ("5 year plus promise" marketing campaign, or something similar). I assume that batteries are included (unlike the kids toys).

It may well have been an issue from new! I've read on here before how some vehicles take a long time to arrive in the UK before they are handed over. I bought one of the last 6.1s as a stock vehicle, so I think that this might apply to me also. I didn't appreciate it at the time, but at handover the salesman didn't want me to turn the engine off while he was showing me around it. I expect that the batteries were low.

 

[Californication69]

There's a 5 year warranty ("5 year plus promise" marketing campaign, or something similar). I assume that batteries are included (unlike the kids toys).

It may well have been an issue from new! I've read on here before how some vehicles take a long time to arrive in the UK before they are handed over. I bought one of the last 6.1s as a stock vehicle, so I think that this might apply to me also. I didn't appreciate it at the time, but at handover the salesman didn't want me to turn the engine off while he was showing me around it. I expect that the batteries were low.

I had a new 4Motion Ocean. In 2022.
The underside was rusty like it had sat out for 6 months in a field somewhere.
The batteries were shot, I suspect left empty for 6 months
Droitwich VW commercial were useless and didn’t want to know.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks Roger, I'll ask VW to check it when they do a service in June. I'd replace one of those fuses under the passenger seat, but the cube fuse on the battery sounds like it might be a bit trickier.

In fact it is easier.
Empty boot.
Open access flap in base of rear wardrobe with a 2p coin.
Undo battery clamp nut/bolt at base of battery and lift out clamp.
Pull out battery using a paint scraper or dinner knife to lift up over the compartment lip.
NO NEED TO DISCONNECT ANY WIRES when moving battery into boot.
Check cube fuse on red +tve terminal with multimeter or just replace fuse . Normally 75 or 100 amp fuse.

 

[Californication69]

And then tie some washing fabric line across the two handles for easier removal next time.
Can also measure voltage Dc across bottom part of fuse / battery terminal and earth.
Top half of fuse to earth is the 1st lesuire Batt voltage under pass seat.

 

[Up10]

Indeed : - )

You'd have to find the 12v plug and plug it in to said powerbank. There are some that plug the power bank into the EHU socket, though I understand that without a grounding plug, this can have a risk attached, so not my recommendation.

Would it not take up less space just to carry a 20m hook up cable?

 

[acer]

In fact it is easier.
Empty boot.
Open access flap in base of rear wardrobe with a 2p coin.
Undo battery clamp nut/bolt at base of battery and lift out clamp.
Pull out battery using a paint scraper or dinner knife to lift up over the compartment lip.
NO NEED TO DISCONNECT ANY WIRES when moving battery into boot.
Check cube fuse on red +tve terminal with multimeter or just replace fuse . Normally 75 or 100 amp fuse.

That doesn't sound that easy relative to my skills, tool chest or fear level . However, it was easy to phone VW and ask them to check the cube fuse when they do their service in June. (I expect that I'll get more brave when the van is out of warranty.)

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

I always carry my 25M cable, I would say at least 5 times I have needed the full 25m. In Germany last year I had to run it under bushes etc to get it to reach!. Obviously you don’t need 25m all the time but when u need it u need it!.

 

[Up10]

I always carry my 25M cable, I would say at least 5 times I have needed the full 25m. In Germany last year I had to run it under bushes etc to get it to reach!. Obviously you don’t need 25m all the time but when u need it u need it!.

In Cologne (Köln) last year, we ended up using our 25m+5m+adapter to the post and it still pinged like a piano wire!
Who says the Germans don't have a sense of fun!

 

[Baldrick]

I thought I wouldn’t need a cable up in Scotland but brought a 10m with me (weight saving rash choice rather than space in my case). Ended up woefully short at one lovely site in the woods, so my 2 solar panels didn’t keep up with demand, the warden lent me a longer one on the spot, didn’t have to ask, said they always have some for these circumstances.
I suspect that you might end up with a 1.5mm diameter 25m long cable that’s less bulky, lighter and easier to roll up. You sound like your circumstances are not really to be toyed with. Sounds like epic travels though - have a great time!

 

[pchmlk]

Clearly there’s an issue with the leisure batteries. Two big batteries not lasting more than a day to power a small fridge and some led lights. As you’ve said, 3-4 days is to be expected.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

Would it not take up less space just to carry a 20m hook up cable?

It would, though you're then a) having to use pitches with EHU; and b) having to pay extra for the privilidge.

 

[da_murphster]

How is there not a decent lifepo4 retro fit out yet?

You could get an easy week plus with solar etc

 

[pchmlk]

How is there not a decent lifepo4 retro fit out yet?

You could get an easy week plus with solar etc

I think a week plus on AGM with solar would be expected too.

 

[Betsycalifornia]

How is there not a decent lifepo4 retro fit out yet?

You could get an easy week plus with solar etc

I believe there is.

Drop in Lithium Batteries for Easy Replacement

Explore drop in lithium batteries options for convenient direct replacement. Learn how these batteries enhance performance and reliability.

titanlithium.co.uk

 

[flying banana]

Why don't you split the cable in half.? I carry 15m under bonnet battery and 10m in back. 10m usually enough.Now,you have 3 options. 10. 15. And 25M when needed.

 

[acer]

Why don't you split the cable in half.? I carry 15m under bonnet battery and 10m in back. 10m usually enough.Now,you have 3 options. 10. 15. And 25M when needed.

Yes, that was one of the options I was considering. Also, when packing, it’s generally easier to find 2 small spaces to fill than 1 big space.

 

[acer]

I believe there is.

Drop in Lithium Batteries for Easy Replacement

Explore drop in lithium batteries options for convenient direct replacement. Learn how these batteries enhance performance and reliability.

titanlithium.co.uk

This looks good. The link lists the advantages, but I assume that there are some disadvantages too? Otherwise, I suppose no one would replace expired leisure batteries with traditional (AGM?)? I really don’t know.

 

[Roger Boeken]

This looks good. The link lists the advantages, but I assume that there are some disadvantages too? Otherwise, I suppose no one would replace expired leisure batteries with traditional (AGM?)? I really don’t know.

AGM is proven reliable and safe battery technology. It allows for example to start the cali even at -25°C.
LiPo4 is very nice but needs a lot of electronic circuits for safety, heating, load balancing etc..
With LiPo4 you rely on the electronic circuits of the battery management system (BMS). Many cali owners complain about too many electronics in the cali that can fail.. with LiPo4 you add some to the list of possible failures..
And if a battery fails while you are far away from home it is more likely to find a replacement AGM battery than exactly the LIPO4 you have.
In the original Cali setup you have actually 2 leisure batteries that can replace a broken starter battery in case of emergency.
For those who need more background : https://www.copowbattery.com/news/how-accurate-is-lifepo4-soc-in-real-world-85363730.html

 

[da_murphster]

Why don't you split the cable in half.? I carry 15m under bonnet battery and 10m in back. 10m usually enough.Now,you have 3 options. 10. 15. And 25M when needed.

What I do.

Also means you can get a splitter and take a length into your awning.

 

[da_murphster]

I recommend these guys to make up very decent splitters:

https://ebay.us/m/GPLAyJ

 

[Californication69]

What I do.

Also means you can get a splitter and take a length into your awning.

Take a length into the awning eh?
Not a bad idea.
I usually split my load into the stanchion.
Splitting in the awning might be a better location.