New owner - of a cali roof!

TheMightWalrus · Jul 18, 2022

Hi All

SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) and I have just bought a T6, which as a California electric pop-top roof & awning fitted - not original to the van.

The roof itself works from a key-fob (so doesn't have any internal controls). We had it checked over, and been told it looks like a good job was done of the install. The van itself is bare, so we're looking at converters to make it into a proper camper - we believe it was an unfinished project, so we're getting it tidied up (trim, windows, swivel seat etc) so we can use it as a Big Metal Tent until we get the conversion done.

We've also got a T4 which we'll be selling soon to finance the conversion. So we're looking for guidance, help(!) and advice on maintenance, pitfalls, that kind of thing.

Thanks!

Meoncoast · Jul 18, 2022

Some photos make be helpful in gaining some advice. Not sure how a Cali roof would link into an external control. Personally, the electronic roof would be the last thing I would add to a van I was converting. It sounds like an interesting project are you looking for more Cali parts or bespoke internal fittings?

kurienp · Jul 18, 2022

TheMightWalrus said:
Hi All

SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) and I have just bought a T6, which as a California electric pop-top roof & awning fitted - not original to the van.

The roof itself works from a key-fob (so doesn't have any internal controls). We had it checked over, and been told it looks like a good job was done of the install. The van itself is bare, so we're looking at converters to make it into a proper camper - we believe it was an unfinished project, so we're getting it tidied up (trim, windows, swivel seat etc) so we can use it as a Big Metal Tent until we get the conversion done.

We've also got a T4 which we'll be selling soon to finance the conversion. So we're looking for guidance, help(!) and advice on maintenance, pitfalls, that kind of thing.

Thanks!

@TheMightWalrus , welcome on board. For conversions, a better forum on ideas will be the T6 forum - https://www.t6forum.com/ . Many people on there modifying their T6's and you will get lots of ideas from on there. Enjoy the conversion process and the adventures in your new van.

GrumpyGranddad · Jul 18, 2022

TheMightWalrus said:
Hi All

SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) and I have just bought a T6, which as a California electric pop-top roof & awning fitted - not original to the van.

The roof itself works from a key-fob (so doesn't have any internal controls). We had it checked over, and been told it looks like a good job was done of the install. The van itself is bare, so we're looking at converters to make it into a proper camper - we believe it was an unfinished project, so we're getting it tidied up (trim, windows, swivel seat etc) so we can use it as a Big Metal Tent until we get the conversion done.

We've also got a T4 which we'll be selling soon to finance the conversion. So we're looking for guidance, help(!) and advice on maintenance, pitfalls, that kind of thing.

Thanks!

Think i’d want a rocker switch added in the van for operating the roof. Relying on a radio signal from a fob seems like an unnecessary complication/inconvenience. You’d obviously need to carry spare fob batteries (bound to go flat when you’re as far away from civilisation as possible), you might loose the fob, etc

Perfectos · Jul 18, 2022

TheMightWalrus,

photos ?

beware of parting with your money to converters, particularly in advance of works being carried out, a company recently went bust taking a lot of peoples money and Vans !

yossarian · Jul 18, 2022

GrumpyGranddad said:
Think i’d want a rocker switch added in the van for operating the roof. Relying on a radio signal from a fob seems like an unnecessary complication/inconvenience. You’d obviously need to carry spare fob batteries (bound to go flat when you’re as far away from civilisation as possible), you might loose the fob, etc

And some sort of logically failsafe setup that prevents roof operation while in motion.

TheMightWalrus · Jul 18, 2022

I like the idea of getting a manual switch inside for the roof - something that will only work with the ignition off. Otherwise we're going to leave the fob in the van, attached so we can't lose it!

We're still looking at converters; we've seen a couple we like but are also waiting on reviews/recommendations for them before commiting - and we gotta sell the T4 to see what our budget will be.

Catbus · Jul 18, 2022

Have a look at the passenger B pillar and see if you have two circular buttons, these will be the manual override buttons the roof if your batteries die (and if they are there, then it’s most likely a conversion done by Kernow Transporters, but easier to tell if you had photos)

TheMightWalrus · Jul 24, 2022

Found the override buttons tucked under the passenger seat! We'll get them moved, as we're getting a swivel put in.

Catbus · Jul 24, 2022

Glad you found them.
Mine are mounted on the B Pillar (one gives the other button power, the other is a up & down rocker - stops little hands pressing the buttons and dropping the roof by mistake, as both buttons have to be pressed simultaneously)

The remote control also has a sliding cover to stop the buttons behing accidentally being pressed while in your pocket and draining the remote battery

TheMightWalrus · Jul 30, 2022

Ah, cool - because it's a van conversion it doesn't have the plastic B pillar cover, so we'll have to find another place to locate the buttons (they look & work exactly as you describe, so nice to know where the roof conversion was likely done!).