WARNING. Thinking of not specifying the 3 zone climatic ?

[Californication69]

Warning for all parents who are thinking of purchasing a t7 California.
Make sure you specify the 3 zone climate control.
My two grandsons, were ill, made by the ineffective air conditioning system in my California beach with just aircon in the front.
My VW commercial sales guy said the 3 zone climate wasn’t worth having as it was always conflicting with the front.
I called him out and said this is absolutely b3llsh7t.
The temperature in the rear 3 seats was at around 28°c
The van had been running for an hour with the front vents, running at max speed 12 on the coldest setting, yes the air coming from the front 4 vents is cold, and it cools me down in the drivers seat as you can have vents facing your face and nether region.
So for one or two people in the front, no problem.
But youngsters in the back.
They were cooked.
The sweat was dripping off them.
Had to make 3 stops on a 40 minute journey.
The outside temp was 34°C
And could only get the rear air temp down to 28°c
Yes, had recirculating on.
Opened all windows and sliding doors to get the hot air out for 20 minutes.
I had all the blinds down. For all the day.
The Cali is grey.
I have switchbot with 3 temperature devices.
The 2.5 year old was holding a bottle of water out of the fridge like his life depended on it.

I’ll be making a formal complaint to VW customer service Monday morning.

Next Cali will be a white top.
And 3 zone climatic control.

It’s seriously dangerous without the 3 zone.
If you have kids/ pets who travel in the back in france or Spain in the summer.
And you haven’t spec’d 3 zone.
Dont bother. They will suffer heat exhaustion.

This needs to be a sticky on the T7 forum page tbh.

The 3 zone has the extra air condenser / conditioner / motor in the rear with vents in the rear also.

Seriously cannot believe VW thought this was a good idea to not have the 3 zone as standard.
Absolutely bonkers.

Added the below as was asked on another thread
- - - - -

No roof flaps in rear.
None.
Only 2 vents in the lower back quarters.
The one behind driver (RHD) blows whatever temp air is in, in. As per the dashboard “rear” blower.
Does nothing really.

The one behind passenger side blows the diesel heater air. (Warm & hot, but never cold)

 

[Beach Nut]

You're right, the basic aircon option isn't good enough for keeping rear passengers cool in the kind of temperatures we're getting in the UK at the moment.

I've tested this out for myself by switching off the rear in ours which is a Beach but has the extended aircon specced as an option. And ours is white, lord knows what a dark coloured one is like.

 

[Roger Boeken]

Warning for all parents who are thinking of purchasing a t7 California.
Make sure you specify the 3 zone climate control.
My two grandsons, were ill, made by the ineffective air conditioning system in my California beach with just aircon in the front.
My VW commercial sales guy said the 3 zone climate wasn’t worth having as it was always conflicting with the front.
I called him out and said this is absolutely b3llsh7t.
The temperature in the rear 3 seats was at around 28°c
The van had been running for an hour with the front vents, running at max speed 12 on the coldest setting, yes the air coming from the front 4 vents is cold, and it cools me down in the drivers seat as you can have vents facing your face and nether region.
So for one or two people in the front, no problem.
But youngsters in the back.
They were cooked.
The sweat was dripping off them.
Had to make 3 stops on a 40 minute journey.
The outside temp was 34°C
And could only get the rear air temp down to 28°c
Yes, had recirculating on.
Opened all windows and sliding doors to get the hot air out for 20 minutes.
I had all the blinds down. For all the day.
The Cali is grey.
I have switchbot with 3 temperature devices.
The 2.5 year old was holding a bottle of water out of the fridge like his life depended on it.

I’ll be making a formal complaint to VW customer service Monday morning.

Next Cali will be a white top.
And 3 zone climatic control.

It’s seriously dangerous without the 3 zone.
If you have kids/ pets who travel in the back in france or Spain in the summer.
And you haven’t spec’d 3 zone.
Dont bother. They will suffer heat exhaustion.

This needs to be a sticky on the T7 forum page tbh.

The 3 zone has the extra air condenser / conditioner / motor in the rear with vents in the rear also.

Seriously cannot believe VW thought this was a good idea to not have the 3 zone as standard.
Absolute morons.

I would not activate recirculation all time, only shortly to cool down vehicle when starting trip. Humidity will raise fast and oxygen go down , you really need fresh dry air to cool down and stay comfortable.

 

[WelshGas]

I would not activate recirculation all time, only shortly to cool down vehicle when starting trip. Humidity will raise fast and oxygen go down , you really need fresh dry air to cool down and stay comfortable.

Not quit correct. Humidity will fall. The recirculated air from the cabin will be cooled and basically the excess water/humidity is condensed out. If that didn’t happen you would get fog out of the vents.
Doesn’t matter if the system takes in fresh air from outside or is on recirculation.

 

[Roger Boeken]

Not quit correct. Humidity will fall. The recirculated air from the cabin will be cooled and basically the excess water/humidity is condensed out. If that didn’t happen you would get fog out of the vents.
Doesn’t matter if the system takes in fresh air from outside or is on recirculation.

You are not wrong but still it makes a difference and outside air should be preferred over recirculation.
I believe the airco cannot keep up with the moisture from the 4 passengers breath and sweat.
This is what VW says : SSP_208_d2_page60

Does air recirculation mode have any draw-backs?
In air recirculation mode, there is no air exchange. The air will be “used up“.
Therefore, air recirculation mode should not be used any longer than is necessary, and for no
more than 15 minutes.
In air recirculation mode, the atmospheric humidity in the passenger cabin rises due to moisture released with the air respired by the occupants. When the dew point of the interior air exceeds the temperature of the windows, the windows will inevitably mist up.
In the Defrost setting, therefore, air recirculation mode is automatically disabled.

 

[WelshGas]

You are not wrong but still it makes a difference and outside air should be preferred over recirculation.
I believe the airco cannot keep up with the moisture from the 4 passengers breath and sweat.
This is what VW says : SSP_208_d2_page60

Does air recirculation mode have any draw-backs?
In air recirculation mode, there is no air exchange. The air will be “used up“.
Therefore, air recirculation mode should not be used any longer than is necessary, and for no
more than 15 minutes.
In air recirculation mode, the atmospheric humidity in the passenger cabin rises due to moisture released with the air respired by the occupants. When the dew point of the interior air exceeds the temperature of the windows, the windows will inevitably mist up.
In the Defrost setting, therefore, air recirculation mode is automatically disabled.

During Winter - Yes. When external temperatures are likely to be below internal temperatures.
During Summer with external temperatures of 30c or more, no chance.

 

[sticky1]

Warning for all parents who are thinking of purchasing a t7 California.
Make sure you specify the 3 zone climate control.
My two grandsons, were ill, made by the ineffective air conditioning system in my California beach with just aircon in the front.
My VW commercial sales guy said the 3 zone climate wasn’t worth having as it was always conflicting with the front.
I called him out and said this is absolutely b3llsh7t.
The temperature in the rear 3 seats was at around 28°c
The van had been running for an hour with the front vents, running at max speed 12 on the coldest setting, yes the air coming from the front 4 vents is cold, and it cools me down in the drivers seat as you can have vents facing your face and nether region.
So for one or two people in the front, no problem.
But youngsters in the back.
They were cooked.
The sweat was dripping off them.
Had to make 3 stops on a 40 minute journey.
The outside temp was 34°C
And could only get the rear air temp down to 28°c
Yes, had recirculating on.
Opened all windows and sliding doors to get the hot air out for 20 minutes.
I had all the blinds down. For all the day.
The Cali is grey.
I have switchbot with 3 temperature devices.
The 2.5 year old was holding a bottle of water out of the fridge like his life depended on it.

I’ll be making a formal complaint to VW customer service Monday morning.

Next Cali will be a white top.
And 3 zone climatic control.

It’s seriously dangerous without the 3 zone.
If you have kids/ pets who travel in the back in france or Spain in the summer.
And you haven’t spec’d 3 zone.
Dont bother. They will suffer heat exhaustion.

This needs to be a sticky on the T7 forum page tbh.

The 3 zone has the extra air condenser / conditioner / motor in the rear with vents in the rear also.

Seriously cannot believe VW thought this was a good idea to not have the 3 zone as standard.
Absolute morons.

I’m really sorry to hear this, I have been turning on the rear aircon to support the front even without passengers in the rear.

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

I’m really sorry to hear this, I have been turning on the rear aircon to support the front even without passengers in the rear.

Same here. Its a large space to cool and the heat from behind makes it uncomfortable in the front for us. So rear aircon is great. I also had a good hack in the extreme heat. I plugged a small 9” domestic fan into our power bank and had it on in the back. Besides the usual cooling effect of moving air it also made the whole interior a more comfortable temperature - moving the cold vent air around a bit more. OP - you could give that a try?

 

[Californication69]

Same here. Its a large space to cool and the heat from behind makes it uncomfortable in the front for us. So rear aircon is great. I also had a good hack in the extreme heat. I plugged a small 9” domestic fan into our power bank and had it on in the back. Besides the usual cooling effect of moving air it also made the whole interior a more comfortable temperature - moving the cold vent air around a bit more. OP - you could give that a try?

I’ve got a EF Delta 2, and an awesome Caframo Sirocco II
Great call, I’ll see where best to mount it for some additional air flow for them.
Thanks

 

[Roger Boeken]

During Winter - Yes. When external temperatures are likely to be below internal temperatures.
During Summer with external temperatures of 30c or more, no chance.

Indeed in summer windows will not mist up but all the rest stays valid.

 

[Up10]

I’ve got a EF Delta 2, and an awesome Caframo Sirocco II
Great call, I’ll see where best to mount it for some additional air flow for them.
Thanks

I'm sure you probably also did this, but sliding the seats as close to the front may also bring the rear passengers into the cooler zone.
I like the Fan idea. Great shout.

 

[Camperfamily]

Good to call this out @Californication69. Even our VW Touran came with 3-zone climatic as standard and it’s quite a bit smaller than a Cali.

I didn’t think twice about specc’ing it on our T6.1 Beach despite the cost - it really should be standard and just built into the price (as it is on the Ocean).

 

[Californication69]

Good to call this out @Californication69. Even our VW Touran came with 3-zone climatic as standard and it’s quite a bit smaller than a Cali.

I didn’t think twice about specc’ing it on our T6.1 Beach despite the cost - it really should be standard and just built into the price (as it is on the Ocean).

If the vw commercial doesn’t budge I’ll take it to VWFS and the ombudsman.
They’ve actually admitted I’d included it in my original order. But the already built van at the port didn’t have it on.
I now know why, it was a cancelled order !

 

[TudorEdwards]

Warning for all parents who are thinking of purchasing a t7 California.
Make sure you specify the 3 zone climate control.
My two grandsons, were ill, made by the ineffective air conditioning system in my California beach with just aircon in the front.
My VW commercial sales guy said the 3 zone climate wasn’t worth having as it was always conflicting with the front.
I called him out and said this is absolutely b3llsh7t.
The temperature in the rear 3 seats was at around 28°c
The van had been running for an hour with the front vents, running at max speed 12 on the coldest setting, yes the air coming from the front 4 vents is cold, and it cools me down in the drivers seat as you can have vents facing your face and nether region.
So for one or two people in the front, no problem.
But youngsters in the back.
They were cooked.
The sweat was dripping off them.
Had to make 3 stops on a 40 minute journey.
The outside temp was 34°C
And could only get the rear air temp down to 28°c
Yes, had recirculating on.
Opened all windows and sliding doors to get the hot air out for 20 minutes.
I had all the blinds down. For all the day.
The Cali is grey.
I have switchbot with 3 temperature devices.
The 2.5 year old was holding a bottle of water out of the fridge like his life depended on it.

I’ll be making a formal complaint to VW customer service Monday morning.

Next Cali will be a white top.
And 3 zone climatic control.

It’s seriously dangerous without the 3 zone.
If you have kids/ pets who travel in the back in france or Spain in the summer.
And you haven’t spec’d 3 zone.
Dont bother. They will suffer heat exhaustion.

This needs to be a sticky on the T7 forum page tbh.

The 3 zone has the extra air condenser / conditioner / motor in the rear with vents in the rear also.

Seriously cannot believe VW thought this was a good idea to not have the 3 zone as standard.
Absolutely bonkers.

Added the below as was asked on another thread
- - - - -

No roof flaps in rear.
None.
Only 2 vents in the lower back quarters.
The one behind driver (RHD) blows whatever temp air is in, in. As per the dashboard “rear” blower.
Does nothing really.

The one behind passenger side blows the diesel heater air. (Warm & hot, but never cold)

You may be able to vent some of the front passenger side airflow to the back of the cab using an air pipe.

https://50gradnord.com/en-gb/products/caliheat-vw-vew-california-t7

An active air fan may improve the airflow further.

 

[Kemper-van]

Is it possible to get a retrofit of the 2nd airco unit in the back?
Potentially you may not get the controls in front, but there should be space available from the factory where vehicles with this option have their unit installed…

 

[DRHS125]

Just for clarity, it’s only the Beach that DOESN’T have the 3-zone fitted as standard. Hopefully that’ll save prospective Coast and Ocean purchasers from fretting about frying rear passengers.

 

[ashc]

We don't have the 3 Zone (as far as I know) but there is still a 'rear' menu in CLIMA accessed from bottom right of the, default, front menu on the main screen.

It's not mentioned above as far as I can see at a glance, but what we found was that in the rear menu, without 3 zone, you can control temperature and the fan in the rear (its just not AC). But, on the hottest days, regardless of rear fan and temp settings, the only way to stop that blowing some warm air is to hit the "off" button in the rear menu. Then, with the front AC turned up a bit its all good and I don't have any complaints such as stated above. Well, if I was specifying new I might choose 3 zone, but I'd buy another T7 without it without hesitation.

But, if one neglected to notice those dedicated rear menu fan and temperature controls (and the ability to turn it off completely) the two would be fighting with each other on hot days. Can the original poster say if they have the rear menu and tried turning it off altogether in there?

 

[Californication69]

We don't have the 3 Zone (as far as I know) but there is still a 'rear' menu in CLIMA accessed from bottom right of the, default, front menu on the main screen.

It's not mentioned above as far as I can see at a glance, but what we found was that in the rear menu, without 3 zone, you can control temperature and the fan in the rear (its just not AC). But, on the hottest days, regardless of rear fan and temp settings, the only way to stop that blowing some warm air is to hit the "off" button in the rear menu. Then, with the front AC turned up a bit its all good and I don't have any complaints such as stated above. Well, if I was specifying new I might choose 3 zone, but I'd buy another T7 without it without hesitation.

But, if one neglected to notice those dedicated rear menu fan and temperature controls (and the ability to turn it off completely) the two would be fighting with each other on hot days. Can the original poster say if they have the rear menu and tried turning it off altogether in there?

Hey Ash
I’ve had two previous 6.1 oceans with the additional aircon unit in the rear that blows ac air through vents in the rear passenger compartment.
So, when I got the t7 with no 3 zone, I assumed (wrongly) there would have been some aircon coming into the rear passenger compartment.
Yes I know it’s a beach, and apparently the lowest model, but not everyone is okay with just 4 seats.
I needed 5 seats that’s why I had a beach.
I’ve tested the aircon via all the vents when I fjest had it.
I found the additional Diesel heater only blows down the nearside vent in the back. (In an ocean this blows under the fridge, which is weird.
Glad I don’t have that.
And in the 6.1 used to blow out of two vents by the offside door.
Now the weird thing, on the t8, why even have blowing ambient air from the offhand side
And yep I turn it off, as it’s as much use as a chocolate fire guard.
I guess it helps if it’s 16° outside I’m 24 inside and you don’t want to use Aircon to call the rear passengers down a bit then that might be okay.

But when didn’t we had Heatt of 37 and the inside of the vehicle was 45 just the front vents blowing full with air circulation on Didnt cut the mustard

 

[WelshGas]

Hey Ash
I’ve had two previous 6.1 oceans with the additional aircon unit in the rear that blows ac air through vents in the rear passenger compartment.
So, when I got the t7 with no 3 zone, I assumed (wrongly) there would have been some aircon coming into the rear passenger compartment.
Yes I know it’s a beach, and apparently the lowest model, but not everyone is okay with just 4 seats.
I needed 5 seats that’s why I had a beach.
I’ve tested the aircon via all the vents when I fjest had it.
I found the additional Diesel heater only blows down the nearside vent in the back. (In an ocean this blows under the fridge, which is weird.
Glad I don’t have that.
And in the 6.1 used to blow out of two vents by the offside door.
Now the weird thing, on the t8, why even have blowing ambient air from the offhand side
And yep I turn it off, as it’s as much use as a chocolate fire guard.
I guess it helps if it’s 16° outside I’m 24 inside and you don’t want to use Aircon to call the rear passengers down a bit then that might be okay.

But when didn’t we had Heatt of 37 and the inside of the vehicle was 45 just the front vents blowing full with air circulation on Didnt cut the mustard

I think you will find in winter you will get warm air from the rear Hivac system. Without the 3 zone Climatronic system you just get ambient and heated air.

 

[Alexlex85]

There must be more to this story as we often travel in our t5.1 (pretty much daily)with front aircon only and not once have the kids complained about heat(3 year old and a 12 year old). Come to think of it, we only use the four front vents on the dash which one of them is blocked by a a phone holder. Basically 3 vents are sufficient to keep 2 adults, 2 kids and a dog, nice and comfortable.
There’s plenty other transporter conversions which don’t even have aircon.

 

[Californication69]

There must be more to this story as we often travel in our t5.1 (pretty much daily)with front aircon only and not once have the kids complained about heat(3 year old and a 12 year old). Come to think of it, we only use the four front vents on the dash which one of them is blocked by a a phone holder. Basically 3 vents are sufficient to keep 2 adults, 2 kids and a dog, nice and comfortable.
There’s plenty other transporter conversions which don’t even have aircon.

Not much more to the story unfortunately.
Wish there was something physically wrong with the aircon.
But there isn’t.
Blows cold to the front to specification.

When we had unprecedented weather at 45°C, I couldn’t get the rear passenger area to cool down enough, maybe it was my own fault for even going out in that weather with a 1.5 & 2.5 year old. when I should’ve stayed in at home.

In hindsight the next van I get, I’ll spec the 3zone in, to fuhrer proof it.

I’m just here to help to explain to other prospective owners, if they have small kids, want air con in the rear, and travel in 40° heat, spec a van or buy the van with rear air con / aka the 3 zone in a t7 beach.
Apparently the ocean and coast have it as standard.

Who wants a conversion, this is the California forum, the conversionists are over on the t6 forum
Them there conversionists are welcome to sweat their nads off in a stinking cesspit of stench.