Cali Sound System

OooOooTheMonkey · Aug 20, 2023

Hi all

I can’t find a definitive answer to this using the search. Does the Cali sound system work off the engine battery or the leisure battery? I’m looking for a way to listen to music in the Cali whilst chilling out camping but don’t want to drain the main battery…

Thanks!

Ben

WelshGas · Aug 20, 2023

OooOooTheMonkey said:
Hi all

I can’t find a definitive answer to this using the search. Does the Cali sound system work off the engine battery or the leisure battery? I’m looking for a way to listen to music in the Cali whilst chilling out camping but don’t want to drain the main battery…

Thanks!

Ben

Engine battery.
On previous models a few members have rewired to run off Leisure. Still switches off after 20 mins or so.
If you are on EHU should not be a problem as from T5.1 on, by unintended consequence, and by design, I believe on the T6.1, the engine battery is trickle charged when Leisure are fully charged.

Most people have used standalone Bluetooth speakers etc.

OooOooTheMonkey · Aug 20, 2023

WelshGas said:
Engine battery.
On previous models a few members have rewired to run off Leisure. Still switches off after 20 mins or so.
If you are on EHU should not be a problem as from T5.1 on, by unintended consequence, and by design, I believe on the T6.1, the engine battery is trickle charged when Leisure are fully charged.

Most people have used standalone Bluetooth speakers etc.

Ah ok super, thank you

yossarian · Aug 20, 2023

WelshGas said:
by design, I believe on the T6.1, the engine battery is trickle charged

It seems on the 6.1 the split charge relay is driven closed on EHU.

dspuk · Aug 20, 2023

OooOooTheMonkey said:
Hi all

I can’t find a definitive answer to this using the search. Does the Cali sound system work off the engine battery or the leisure battery? I’m looking for a way to listen to music in the Cali whilst chilling out camping but don’t want to drain the main battery…

Thanks!

Ben

As @WelshGas says. We have a bluetooth speaker and use for music. Have a Flip 6. Cracking size and sound. For radio we just used the phone and internal speakers or Bluetooth one. We protect the engine battery now as much as we can. Even on EHU, with a 6.1 and a solar trickle charge! Once bitten…

andrew bazeley · Aug 26, 2023

I had to replace the original radio in my 2008 Cali several years ago, and took it to a VW van specialist in Andover. He installed a great DAB radio and satnav, but he also installed a little switch in the glovebox, which enabled you to switch the power for the radio from engine to leisure battery! Genius - maybe they should all have that option!