Wintering / Trickle Charge?

[T6.1Cotswolds]

I have a 23’ plate BiTDI 4Motion California Ocean and I’m new to owning a van. It’s not our daily driver, so will be parked up over the winter months on our drive.

A few questions on wintering :

- How often do you have to use it to keep the engine in good shape and cleaning out the DPF?
- Do I have to trickle charge the engine battery and / or pleasure battery?
- Can I just plug the Van into my mains and keep it topped up that way or will that damage the battery ?
- Do I have to clean out the water tank or sterilise it ? What is best practice to make sure the tank doesn’t get a funny taste ?
- I have left the valves on the grey and fresh water open - is that right ?

Any suggestions on the above or other advice on wintering would be appreciated !

Thanks.

 

[scottk]

If you aren’t using it, charge once a month with hook up.
To keep the dpf in good condition it needs a long enough run to get hot and don’t switch it off if it is carry out a regen. Short trips are what do the damage.
It’s a shame not to use the van over winter, even as a day van. Your heater should also be run regularly which is another good reason to use the van.

 

[T6.1Cotswolds]

If you aren’t using it, charge once a month with hook up.
To keep the dpf in good condition it needs a long enough run to get hot and don’t switch it off if it is carry out a regen. Short trips are what do the damage.
It’s a shame not to use the van over winter, even as a day van. Your heater should also be run regularly which is another good reason to use the van.

Thank you. How do I know if the DPF is in regen?

 

[scottk]

The revs are higher and start stop doesn’t work. You can smell it (the heat) and hear the fans running when you get out of the car

 

[Beeechke1]

This is my winter list if the van is only getting occasional use:
1) Drain tanks and leave valves at 45 degrees (half open)
2) Open cupboard doors for better air circulation
3) Plug into mains for 24hours (monthly)
4) Run camping heater for 45-60 minutes (monthly)
5) pop roof open for a few hours to air the pop top and dry out any condensation that can build up under the roof (weather permitting)

 

[Wannabecamperman]

... pleasure battery?

- Is that the wife's?

 

[acer]

- Is that the wife's?

Tickle charge?

 

[Viktorgeorge]

This is my winter list if the van is only getting occasional use:
1) Drain tanks and leave valves at 45 degrees (half open)
2) Open cupboard doors for better air circulation
3) Plug into mains for 24hours (monthly)
4) Run camping heater for 45-60 minutes (monthly)
5) pop roof open for a few hours to air the pop top and dry out any condensation that can build up under the roof (weather permitting)

I do all the above, if not using the van for a while in winter, except I leave the van permanently plugged into the mains with a small oil filled radiator* set at a low or’ frost stat’ level inside as well*. Given the price of a California I am more than happy to use a little electricity to keep it dry inside; and from others more expert I understand that permanent hook-up, if anything, preserves the batteries (all three).

* similar to this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002DGTMJE?ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_TV1H4Q0R35HJGB4XV36F_1