ID Buzz Camper Conversion
- Thread starter Jimmmmy
- Start date
I've seen a couple of the Buzz's out and about, and I must admit, I like them. I wanted to like this camper version too, but agree...looks too small. Especially considering the poptop isn't usable as a sleeping zone.
I agree that it is too small. VW are basing the California on the LWB that is coming out next year, I think. For a proper camper I would wait until the LWB iD Buzz is released.
A couple in Arisaig last weekend were in their daughter's Nissan NV200. It was very tight and that was a self build pine special!!
I switch of when he said, (talking about the induction hob) "So there's no fossil fuels in this vehicle whatsoever....."
Jeez, how daft would you have to be to fall for that?
It was made in Germany, where they've just ripped up some wind farms to mine the lignite under them! Hilarious!"
Jeez, how daft would you have to be to fall for that?
It was made in Germany, where they've just ripped up some wind farms to mine the lignite under them! Hilarious!"
No swivel seats ? Looks fine for 1 person I guess (and dog)
As a long time owner of EVs I am intrigued by a couple of things in that video.
1. I got the impression that the EHU would only charge the standalone system and not the main battery. The minimum international standard for charging an EV battery is 1.4kw: you can’t go lower unless you have a smart charger like a Zappi which utilises the grid/solar. A ‘wound down’ charging would be ok at that level.
2. This Buzz also utilises a standard Type 2 EV charging plug. Most cars come with a standard 13a plug charger with a Type 2 plug at the vehicle end. Connecting the Type 2 to a standard EHU with the requisite plug should be good to go. I’ve done this in Scotland and the owner was ok with it cos he had 16a EHUs and I was pulling10a but i wound it down to 6a on the charger.
2. Equally whilst driving the main VW battery does not appear to top up the standalone system. Why? Every EV has a 12v battery. This is used for the onboard SW and controls the charging circuits. They’re small - mine is 40ah. But the point I am making is that there is a 12v charging system on the vehicle maybe could be utilised.
3. The Buzz is planned for Vehicle to Load capability (V2L) by the end of this year and I suspect the LWB California will have it. You stick an adaptor into the EV charging socket which has a 13a socket on the end and you can draw up to 3kwh though a standard 13a plug. Very common now on new Evs. This will be a game changer when it happens and negate some of the above.
Of course a lot of this is subject to sites allowing you to actually plug it in at that level of power in terms of both costs and resiliency of the site EHUs. Plus messing with the EVs ‘power system’ would probably invalidate the warranty which I suspect is an issue.
All the same an interesting development but as previously stated a bit too small but it will evolve. the other major downside is range.
I may give him a call to ask on price and utilisation of the Buzz’s internal power.
1. I got the impression that the EHU would only charge the standalone system and not the main battery. The minimum international standard for charging an EV battery is 1.4kw: you can’t go lower unless you have a smart charger like a Zappi which utilises the grid/solar. A ‘wound down’ charging would be ok at that level.
2. This Buzz also utilises a standard Type 2 EV charging plug. Most cars come with a standard 13a plug charger with a Type 2 plug at the vehicle end. Connecting the Type 2 to a standard EHU with the requisite plug should be good to go. I’ve done this in Scotland and the owner was ok with it cos he had 16a EHUs and I was pulling10a but i wound it down to 6a on the charger.
2. Equally whilst driving the main VW battery does not appear to top up the standalone system. Why? Every EV has a 12v battery. This is used for the onboard SW and controls the charging circuits. They’re small - mine is 40ah. But the point I am making is that there is a 12v charging system on the vehicle maybe could be utilised.
3. The Buzz is planned for Vehicle to Load capability (V2L) by the end of this year and I suspect the LWB California will have it. You stick an adaptor into the EV charging socket which has a 13a socket on the end and you can draw up to 3kwh though a standard 13a plug. Very common now on new Evs. This will be a game changer when it happens and negate some of the above.
Of course a lot of this is subject to sites allowing you to actually plug it in at that level of power in terms of both costs and resiliency of the site EHUs. Plus messing with the EVs ‘power system’ would probably invalidate the warranty which I suspect is an issue.
All the same an interesting development but as previously stated a bit too small but it will evolve. the other major downside is range.
I may give him a call to ask on price and utilisation of the Buzz’s internal power.
Volkswagen ID.Buzz: seven-seater LWB caught testing
Longer, seven-seater ID.Buzz caught testing – and all you need to know about VW's electric MPV
www.carmagazine.co.uk
Latest LWB news.
Jerba did a video on these just a couple of days ago showing it stripped out and what space they might have to work with and comparing dimensions of the standard and LWB Buzz with a T6. Jerba ID Buzz
Loads of people on here moving to crafters to get more space, not seen many people asking for less space for a camper. Seems like very limited market to me and possibly more of a gimmick then anything else.
Having said that the T2 etc were pretty small and people seem to be able to live with those!
Having said that the T2 etc were pretty small and people seem to be able to live with those!
Good effort. Yep very small though, LWB more practicable. The seating while fine they have designed one, it will need certification. The standard seating from RIB/REIMO will be too tall, but would presume they have something in the pipeline. Roof needs sleeping capability. Its very expensive for the van and conversion to have these limitations. Will need to get one and have a play
Another video that suggests it's too small
