TallPaul's Caravelle - MTB wagon!
- Thread starter TallPaul_S
- Start date
Well, if there's room... I'll make it fit!!You are very determined arnt you?!
I took one look under my Caravelle's seats and just bought a good a powerbank. Sorted my bike rack out though, well part 1 of 2... pictures to follow
It seems to be a bit of a theme of this whole van tbh, fitting a lot into not a lot of space!
It lives!
I still need to secure the battery down but I'm waiting on a couple of bits to be delivered for that. Also waiting on some cable wrap.
It fits perfectly under the factory swivel seat.
So, after another full day of painting the mounts, finishing up various bits, and finally fitting the battery and flipping the big switch, it's all working as expected.
Victron App showing the correct voltages for the SB and Fogstar
I configured the Orion XS, then added the engine signal wire and turned off engine shutdown detection. Lowered the amps to 30a just to test the system quickly.
All my DC loads; lights, fridge, diesel heater etc are all working.
I router a 5m hdmi extension cable to the Cerbo GX and fed that through to where my display will be.
Finally, checked that my 15a Victron EHU was working. It flipped the RCD the first time but after resetting it, and setting it to LiFePO4, all was good.
I did see a green light on the Ablemail AMT12-2 so I think that's working correctly too.
I still need to secure the battery down but I'm waiting on a couple of bits to be delivered for that. Also waiting on some cable wrap.
It fits perfectly under the factory swivel seat.
So, after another full day of painting the mounts, finishing up various bits, and finally fitting the battery and flipping the big switch, it's all working as expected.
Victron App showing the correct voltages for the SB and Fogstar
I configured the Orion XS, then added the engine signal wire and turned off engine shutdown detection. Lowered the amps to 30a just to test the system quickly.
All my DC loads; lights, fridge, diesel heater etc are all working.
I router a 5m hdmi extension cable to the Cerbo GX and fed that through to where my display will be.
Finally, checked that my 15a Victron EHU was working. It flipped the RCD the first time but after resetting it, and setting it to LiFePO4, all was good.
I did see a green light on the Ablemail AMT12-2 so I think that's working correctly too.
One thing that I will say could be improved on the Victron gear, is better Bluetooth signal.
On my old Renogy shunt I could connect with it, inside the house, about 2 car lengths away - but the Victron gear I need to hold my phone to my window to get a signal.
Which makes CRM and the Cerbo GX brilliant.
If I'm parked at home and connected to my WiFi I can check the van from anywhere.
I've installed a few bits on mine so I'm future proofed - a hdmi extension routed under the seat base, through the b pillar, up and over the headlining and above my kitchen pod, ready for when I build an overhead storage cupboard which will also house a Victron touch 50 or 70.
I'll wire in a usb socket up there too which will power the touch screen and I'll also install a 4g router to give a permanent internet connection for the Cerbo and a WiFi hotspot for when I'm using a laptop.
The Bluetooth on the Cerbo GX also turns off once the unit reaches a certain temperature so I've fitted a usb Bluetooth dongle - I'll be buying some Ruuvi tags at some point - for inside temperature, outside temperature and probably also water tank level. I think the dongle is working as I can see multiple Bluetooth adapters in the Cerbo menu:
Next stage will be to get the solar panel ordered. I'm going for a Victron 305w rigid mono panel, and will be mounting it using numerous of the black plastic mounts, along with some sikaflex 522. The panel is only £166 so I'll get that ordered soon.
On my old Renogy shunt I could connect with it, inside the house, about 2 car lengths away - but the Victron gear I need to hold my phone to my window to get a signal.
Which makes CRM and the Cerbo GX brilliant.
If I'm parked at home and connected to my WiFi I can check the van from anywhere.
I've installed a few bits on mine so I'm future proofed - a hdmi extension routed under the seat base, through the b pillar, up and over the headlining and above my kitchen pod, ready for when I build an overhead storage cupboard which will also house a Victron touch 50 or 70.
I'll wire in a usb socket up there too which will power the touch screen and I'll also install a 4g router to give a permanent internet connection for the Cerbo and a WiFi hotspot for when I'm using a laptop.
The Bluetooth on the Cerbo GX also turns off once the unit reaches a certain temperature so I've fitted a usb Bluetooth dongle - I'll be buying some Ruuvi tags at some point - for inside temperature, outside temperature and probably also water tank level. I think the dongle is working as I can see multiple Bluetooth adapters in the Cerbo menu:
Next stage will be to get the solar panel ordered. I'm going for a Victron 305w rigid mono panel, and will be mounting it using numerous of the black plastic mounts, along with some sikaflex 522. The panel is only £166 so I'll get that ordered soon.
Well the Ablemail is working perfectly, thanks to Victron VRM I can see this nicely on a custom graph.
Closer up, you can see the current spikes of 2.4a from the Ablemail, via the MPPT load output (orange) and the corresponding jumps in SB voltage (red) and dips in LB voltage (blue).
Nice!
Closer up, you can see the current spikes of 2.4a from the Ablemail, via the MPPT load output (orange) and the corresponding jumps in SB voltage (red) and dips in LB voltage (blue).
Nice!
In what way? If a fuse goes I can get to them, the midi fuse distribution block is a bit awkward but doable and all the main 12v fuses are easily accessible.I can see how little room you have to play with here but what happens if something packs up ?
If the MPPT or Orion goes wrong then it'd be a case of removing the seat, battery, and offending device.
First proper use of the Orion XS today, set at 50a - a 30 min drive to work this morning and a 25 min drive home, with some stop start of the engine. Over that 55 minutes it put back in just under 40Ah of charge, went from 61% to 79% SOC. That'll do!!
This is where my Renogy 2000w inverter will be going.
With an 18mm gap at the bottom there's about 5mm of room between it and the swivel seat. My measurements were tight!
I'll start working out a plywood base for this next week, I'll have a cover over the terminals but still allowing the fans to vent. I've got some 90 degrees terminal crimps so the cables will go down the side of the seat base, loop around, then enter in the rear (ooh!) before going to the distribution box and the negative busbar.
I do still need to attach the battery securing stuff but I'm not lifting the passenger seat out when it's 30 degrees. Too hot!
With an 18mm gap at the bottom there's about 5mm of room between it and the swivel seat. My measurements were tight!
I'll start working out a plywood base for this next week, I'll have a cover over the terminals but still allowing the fans to vent. I've got some 90 degrees terminal crimps so the cables will go down the side of the seat base, loop around, then enter in the rear (ooh!) before going to the distribution box and the negative busbar.
I do still need to attach the battery securing stuff but I'm not lifting the passenger seat out when it's 30 degrees. Too hot!
It'll be a year exactly on Wednesday since I picked up the van, so thought I best give the old girl a wash!
Not a lot has changed on the outside, aside from a set of window deflectors it's the same!
The exterior will be the next big change, with suspension, wheels and tyres, and some other cosmetic upgrades which should change the look of the van quite a bit.
In the meantime, I've added WiFi to the van thanks to a 4g router. This allows my Cerbo GX to connect via ethernet and also gives me WiFi for any devices that don't have a 4g SIM card.
Not a lot has changed on the outside, aside from a set of window deflectors it's the same!
The exterior will be the next big change, with suspension, wheels and tyres, and some other cosmetic upgrades which should change the look of the van quite a bit.
In the meantime, I've added WiFi to the van thanks to a 4g router. This allows my Cerbo GX to connect via ethernet and also gives me WiFi for any devices that don't have a 4g SIM card.
Last edited:
I had a delivery of my Solar panel last week, and today has been the first dry, not too windy day to try it on the roof and see how it fits.
First thing to check, yes it works!
It's a Victron 305w rigid panel, this is in basically full shade (a sliver of panel in the sun) and the sun 2hrs away from sunset.
So that's all good.
What's not so good, it is how it'll fit, with the plastic mounts that are mounted with sikaflex to the roof. There's just too much curve, front to back, on the VW T6 roofline for me to be happy. 4x corner mounts isn't enough to secure it, either, but putting mounts in the middle means the ends are about 2cm off the roof. I could make the sikaflex thicker on those mounts, and sit the panel off the mount slightly, but it's all a bit, well... crappy - and I don't want anything like that with a 20kg 1.5m long solar panel that could remove itself from the roof at 70mph.
I could have gone for a semi flexible panel like others but with the amount of these that fail, mainly due to heat, and my van being black, I wanted to go rigid.
Oh and I'm not drilling the roof. Not even an option.
So.
I've been having thoughts about getting a full size roof rack for a while now, and this has pushed me over the top on the decision.
Not only would a roof rack let me mount a rigid panel in about 20 minutes with just 6x bolted brackets, no glueing or bonding - and change panels if I want a different size or combination - it'll give me some much needed extra storage space, and also give me the option of fitting a roof tent if/when I come to want more sleeping space, without having to pay £5k+ for a pop top to be fitted. I'll also be able to mount an awning, led light bars, etc etc.
And as a bonus, it'll add to the "swamper" look that I'm going to be aiming for with an upgrade of wheels/tyres and suspension!
I'll need to get rid of the Fiamma F40 Van that's currently fitted as it uses 2x of the roof bar mounting points. I'll look at a replacement awning at a later date.
So, watch this space!
I have an expensive few weeks coming up.
First thing to check, yes it works!
It's a Victron 305w rigid panel, this is in basically full shade (a sliver of panel in the sun) and the sun 2hrs away from sunset.
So that's all good.
What's not so good, it is how it'll fit, with the plastic mounts that are mounted with sikaflex to the roof. There's just too much curve, front to back, on the VW T6 roofline for me to be happy. 4x corner mounts isn't enough to secure it, either, but putting mounts in the middle means the ends are about 2cm off the roof. I could make the sikaflex thicker on those mounts, and sit the panel off the mount slightly, but it's all a bit, well... crappy - and I don't want anything like that with a 20kg 1.5m long solar panel that could remove itself from the roof at 70mph.
I could have gone for a semi flexible panel like others but with the amount of these that fail, mainly due to heat, and my van being black, I wanted to go rigid.
Oh and I'm not drilling the roof. Not even an option.
So.
I've been having thoughts about getting a full size roof rack for a while now, and this has pushed me over the top on the decision.
Not only would a roof rack let me mount a rigid panel in about 20 minutes with just 6x bolted brackets, no glueing or bonding - and change panels if I want a different size or combination - it'll give me some much needed extra storage space, and also give me the option of fitting a roof tent if/when I come to want more sleeping space, without having to pay £5k+ for a pop top to be fitted. I'll also be able to mount an awning, led light bars, etc etc.
And as a bonus, it'll add to the "swamper" look that I'm going to be aiming for with an upgrade of wheels/tyres and suspension!
I'll need to get rid of the Fiamma F40 Van that's currently fitted as it uses 2x of the roof bar mounting points. I'll look at a replacement awning at a later date.
So, watch this space!
I have an expensive few weeks coming up.
Last edited:
Given the other work you've done could you not fashion some brackets to hold the F40 on the roof rack?
Possibly, unfortunately the design of the F40 with it mounting from underneath doesn't really suit Weill to teething to adapt it - I don't think it would work on top of the rack, so I'd need multiple brackets or to make something up so I could mount it from underneath. Doable, but I'm not sure how easy.
I was wondering if you could repurpose the brackets by putting them across some of the aluminium angle, so keep the black bit but find some bar or channel to fit where the grey bit is as a long support bar between the two brackets.
Tbh it might be possible just to use the T6 mounting as is, it's basically two brackets that attach to two of the factory mounting points
The rack I'm looking at has t slot in rails mounted across the van, so I'd just bolt the T6 brackets into one of those slots rather than the van mounting holes.
However it also has a lip where the outer rail sits so the awning would need to clear this, which I've no idea if it would.
Definitely possible. Although selling the F40 and buying an F45 might not put me much out of pocket. The F40 with fitting kit is £780 new, whereas an F45S is £600.
Well, what a difference a 230Ah LiFePO4 battery makes...
I'm staying in the Brecon beacons for 2 nights, not long got back from a big ride.
24hrs in, normal fridge and lights usage, plus the Ablemail and 4g router/Cerbo GX (and 40 mins of the heater on low, as it getting a little chilly!) and I've used 15% battery, or 32Ah.
Going by this, I'd be good for a solid 5 days off grid with no hookup or solar.
That may change once I get my inverter installed, I'm probably going to pick up a single induction hob at the minimum so that'll drain the battery a bit.
I do need to work out how to turn off the factory diesel heater display when it's on, damn that thing is bright!
I'm staying in the Brecon beacons for 2 nights, not long got back from a big ride.
24hrs in, normal fridge and lights usage, plus the Ablemail and 4g router/Cerbo GX (and 40 mins of the heater on low, as it getting a little chilly!) and I've used 15% battery, or 32Ah.
Going by this, I'd be good for a solid 5 days off grid with no hookup or solar.
That may change once I get my inverter installed, I'm probably going to pick up a single induction hob at the minimum so that'll drain the battery a bit.
I do need to work out how to turn off the factory diesel heater display when it's on, damn that thing is bright!
Last edited:
Big update time.
A 500 mile round trip get this lot fitted!
A set of 17" Bronze OZ Rally Raid Wheels & 245/65R17 Falken Wildpeak at3wa tyres.
Suspension fully upgraded.
Koni Special dampers
std height springs
25mm lift spacers
H&R anti roll bars
Lower arm bushes
Drop links
Plus a few extra bushes, top mounts etc
Plus:
New rear discs and pads
Roof rack from Flatdog UK:
Fitted by the guys nice and swiftly in Gainsborough.
The van now looks like this!
And importantly, rides as good as it looks!! Much smoother, no more jiggling or jostling over "smooth" roads, broken tarmac no longer sends shudders through the entire van. It's no magic carpet ride but then it's a nearly 2500kg van... It feels "taught" but also supple. Also despite the extra 40kg on the roof and extra 90mm in ride height, it corners no worse than when it was at 70mm lower than standard!
I've got a few more jobs to be getting on with, like mounting the solar panel to the roof rack and wiring in my 2000w inverter. And also seeing if I can mount my F40 awning to the roof rack, which is going to be trickier than I'd hoped.
A 500 mile round trip get this lot fitted!
A set of 17" Bronze OZ Rally Raid Wheels & 245/65R17 Falken Wildpeak at3wa tyres.
Suspension fully upgraded.
Koni Special dampers
std height springs
25mm lift spacers
H&R anti roll bars
Lower arm bushes
Drop links
Plus a few extra bushes, top mounts etc
Plus:
New rear discs and pads
Roof rack from Flatdog UK:
Volkswagen T5 / T6 FD RAX - SWB from www.flatdoguk.com
www.flatdoguk.com
Fitted by the guys nice and swiftly in Gainsborough.
The van now looks like this!
And importantly, rides as good as it looks!! Much smoother, no more jiggling or jostling over "smooth" roads, broken tarmac no longer sends shudders through the entire van. It's no magic carpet ride but then it's a nearly 2500kg van... It feels "taught" but also supple. Also despite the extra 40kg on the roof and extra 90mm in ride height, it corners no worse than when it was at 70mm lower than standard!
I've got a few more jobs to be getting on with, like mounting the solar panel to the roof rack and wiring in my 2000w inverter. And also seeing if I can mount my F40 awning to the roof rack, which is going to be trickier than I'd hoped.
Last edited:
Job one on the list of stuff to do, fit my solar panel. Done.
I'm pooped now, it's a big job on your own!
I'm pooped now, it's a big job on your own!
That rack is amazing. Maybe next year…. I am interested how your awning fitting goes as that is on my list.
Suspension wise this would be my ultimate build. I am doing this on as little budget as possible. Front end i did std OEM and std ride springs all round, koni shocks on the back. New Brembo brakes, std steel 17 wheels and same tyres. Ride is ace, tyres are amazing. Anti roll bars would be nice.
Van looks almost done now?
Suspension wise this would be my ultimate build. I am doing this on as little budget as possible. Front end i did std OEM and std ride springs all round, koni shocks on the back. New Brembo brakes, std steel 17 wheels and same tyres. Ride is ace, tyres are amazing. Anti roll bars would be nice.
Van looks almost done now?
Yeah I've worked out the awning fitment, got a few bits on order so hopefully that works.
The brackets for it to fit the std T6 roof mounting points are angled very slightly and as the rack is flat I'll need to space them out to make them flat again.
The suspension is good - it's not a full on magic carpet ride but then you can't defy physics - it's a 2.5 ton van say the end of the day, for the springs to hold the van up they need to be a certain stiffness, if they were too soft the van would ride low - and stiffer springs means a stiffer ride!
Erm... Yeah
It is mostly done, a few jobs yet to finish like wiring in my inverter, and possibly building some high level storage inside the van. And a few little finishing bits here and there. And a storage box for the rack.
Oh and I've got some annoying squeaks coming from the kitchen pod, I think it's from where it's been warm and the wood has expanded and is now rubbing against each other, I'll need to track that down!
The brackets for it to fit the std T6 roof mounting points are angled very slightly and as the rack is flat I'll need to space them out to make them flat again.
The suspension is good - it's not a full on magic carpet ride but then you can't defy physics - it's a 2.5 ton van say the end of the day, for the springs to hold the van up they need to be a certain stiffness, if they were too soft the van would ride low - and stiffer springs means a stiffer ride!
Erm... Yeah
It is mostly done, a few jobs yet to finish like wiring in my inverter, and possibly building some high level storage inside the van. And a few little finishing bits here and there. And a storage box for the rack.
Oh and I've got some annoying squeaks coming from the kitchen pod, I think it's from where it's been warm and the wood has expanded and is now rubbing against each other, I'll need to track that down!
Similar threads
