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Old 09-19-2021, 12:49 AM   #1181
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We look too Martin but only online as their not bringng them to the US. Great videos on u tube from the car show.
I really can't understand the marketting strategy of VW, Mercedes-Benz or Ford at the moment, as all three have not only 'camper' models but a range of micro-campers through to motorhomes on sale in Europe, yet do not sell in US.

These are not upfitted bare chassis, but fully integrated (for example controls for house services built into the cab control systems). VW have the broadest range going from the small 'van' based micro-camper (Caddy California) to the Crafter (VW's Sprinter sized chassis) based Grand California, and that comes as a shortwheel base (over cab sleeping) 600 and the Interstate competing 680 (the model numbers are the length in cm, so 680 is 6.8m long). To really illustrate how well they would sell, the 680 comes in at under $100K, built in the factory, fully intergated, single supply/service/warranty at the local brand dealer.

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I'm hoping that Bella won't react badly as really we are just looking to replace our version of a Caddy California with a California, she should only worry if we start looking at the 680!
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Old 10-04-2021, 03:16 AM   #1182
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Well after looking at all the 'brand' campers that are out there, we decided they know how to build vans, but not design campers!

Just placed an order on a VW T6.1 based camper from Jerba Campervans, called the Sanna, now just have to wait two years for it to be delivered - you thought the delivery dates for Airstreams were crazy!

https://www.jerbacampervans.co.uk/sanna-campervan/

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Old 10-04-2021, 04:56 AM   #1183
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Well after looking at all the 'brand' campers that are out there, we decided they know how to build vans, but not design campers!

Just placed an order on a VW T6.1 based camper from Jerba Campervans, called the Sanna, now just have to wait two years for it to be delivered - you thought the delivery dates for Airstreams were crazy!

https://www.jerbacampervans.co.uk/sanna-campervan/


Martin, I always enjoy watching conversions they make, especially in these short body vans. 2 observations: Where to store all the bedding for as many as 4 people and if you look at ~3mins of the video, you will see that the back door does not close when you open the toilet storage lid.
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Old 10-04-2021, 08:52 AM   #1184
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Martin, I always enjoy watching conversions they make, especially in these short body vans. 2 observations: Where to store all the bedding for as many as 4 people and if you look at ~3mins of the video, you will see that the back door does not close when you open the toilet storage lid.
The crazy thing is this is the LWB with extra space! We are having ours made with the Porta-Potti cabinet lid hinged on the left so that is opens with the door shut - no idea why the owners of that unit wanted to open the rear door to use the loo (each to their own!).

The RIB seats actually have huge amounts of storage in their bases, so the bedding goes away with the bed. Same in the roof, the bed closes with the bedding in place - alittle like a Murphy Bed.
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Old 10-04-2021, 12:10 PM   #1185
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That would be way to new for me. I don't work on anything new than about 1974......
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Old 10-04-2021, 01:19 PM   #1186
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Ah, but thats the point Brad....its for camping not working on!
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Old 10-05-2021, 06:44 AM   #1187
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Ah, but thats the point Brad....its for camping not working on!
Ya know, for the past 13 years or so I've often wondered what these rigs were really for. I think you just might have enlightened me a little....
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Old 11-13-2021, 05:39 AM   #1188
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Seems plans are almost in a permenant state of flux at the moment, and the latest 'wrinkle' happened a around 3 or 4 weeks ago. My Dad was dianosed with cancer in his spine and immediately admited into hospital, due to imminant risk of paralysis. After a couple of weeks of daily radiotherapy during which they have found a load of other conditions we weren't aware of he is home but with a warning 'to put his affairs in order and enjoy what time he has left'.

As one of the reasons we ordered the new van was neither Bella nor my NV200 camper had seats for passengers, I had to face reality that it may arrive 'too late'.

I am a great beliver in 'when life gives you lemons, make lemonade', so flash forward around 7 days. We found someone selling a 'used' (4year old/9,000 miles) van, made by the same company building our new van. I bought it on the spot, went and picked it up yesterday, and today we are re-allocating equipment between the three 'campers'.

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Although the layout is different from the one on order, who knows, we may prefer this layout. It just means we can make to most of any time my Dad has left.
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Old 11-13-2021, 12:59 PM   #1189
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Making memories with loved ones is really what it's all about. Without gesundheit you have nothing. Best to your father.
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Old 11-13-2021, 01:14 PM   #1190
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Thanks for the kind words Hittenstiehl.

If anyone is interested the used van is a Cromarty model, named Mavis by the PO, and we are happy to keep that going.

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Old 11-14-2021, 06:04 AM   #1191
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So sorry to hear Martin. I hope he able to spend some quality time with you pain free.
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Old 11-14-2021, 11:30 AM   #1192
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Martin, it's good to see where your priorities are. I hope you have many happy and enjoyable outings with your father.

Take care.
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Old 12-13-2021, 09:55 AM   #1193
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Hmmm...so Bella had a surprise for me today.

She is plugged into shore power and so the inverter charger keeps the new LiFePO4 on float charger, or so I thought.

I was working on 'Mavis' (the inherited name of our new T6 camper) and heard Bella's propane and carbon monoxide alarm doing the low power 'bleep'. I look through the window, the inverter control panel is on, I go inside LiFePO4 voltage 10.5v and 'no charge'.

So the inverter charger is trying to give the LiFePO4 30amp and it is not taking it. Out with the voltmeter and it is 10.5v and the BMS has gone into low voltage protection.

Now anyone who has had a LiFePO4 knows this is akin to a diesel running out of fuel; the under voltage protection needs 12v volt to release and turn the battery back on but modern smart chargers will not apply the voltage as they think there is no battery connected. So simply connecting to a charger (even the onboard Magnum in CC/CV mode) does not help.

So I pull the battery and start by connecting to my bench power supply (13.5v/1a) not enough to turn the battery 'on'. Then I try to connect a new lead acid (effectively jump starting). I started conservatively using a fused connector - pops the fuse. Then I literally have to connect jump leads between the two batteries, the LiFePO4 pulls around 27amp and creeps to 11v then comes back to life. It is on my bench charging now but this does not explain why it happened.

Well that took some more digging. I have a battery isolator the cuts the leisure batteries, at what I now know is 12.1v. The Magnum charger is set to a float of 12.5v. Around 2weeks ago we had a power cut lasting around 4hours. What I had not noticed is the 'system' (detectors etc) had bleed the LiFePO4 from 12.5v down under 12.1v whilst the power was off, so when it came back on the Magnum went to bulk charge, but the isolator had shut stopping the battery re-charging. Literally the charging circuit has happily run the bulk then float cycles but the battery was disconnected by the isolator, until it's voltage dropped low enough to turn itself off.

Now I have to try and find a new isolator with a 11v cut off to match the wider voltage range of the LiFePO4. Oh joy!
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Old 12-13-2021, 12:33 PM   #1194
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Martin, I really miss the days when everything was controlled by relays, life was so much simpler then....
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