How would I do this?

J

jknights

Member
My T6 Transporter (2016) was converted by CamperKing as a Santorini style conversion. It is beautifully converted but as I see it as a new owner of the vehicle I think to myself.
A water but also an electics question. Admins please move if it should be in a different place.

1. How do I empty the water tank as there is no drain valve? I do not want to have to pump out the water tank via the sink tap. If I had access to the water tank I could simply put in a T piece and a stop cock to waste.
The water tank is I guess probably located behind the panel at floor level and the rear offside wheel. See picture, I guess it is level with the part 1 and part 2 area of the bed.

2. There are two leisure batteries which are located I guess ..... at the rear underneath at floor level behind the panel (large cupboard door by rear door) in which is found the MPPT Pro controller and fuses. If I need to or wanted to replace them how would I do this?

Here is an internal picture of the van.
1781023085993.webp

Any suggestion or definitive answers as how to do the water tank drain or get to the leisure batteries. Preferably without needing to take out the bed and the whole kitchen furniture installation!
 
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Have you looked under the van for any drain plugs?

Where is the fill port?

Post some pics of the under side.

*****

The battery's still be fitted in the cabinetry some where... Either in a compartment somewhere.

Or you may need to in screw a few panels.
 
Dellmassive said:
Have you looked under the van for any drain plugs?
Click to expand...
There is an overflow from the tank but after poking around I found a hatch behind the two small cupboard doors. This hatch when lifted allows me to see the top of the tanks.
IMG_4752.webp
If I unscrew the right hand larger port I can see there is no exit in the tank unless I remove the tank and cut one! Not going to do that.
If you look closely at my photo here, you will see at top left there is the black overflow port tube connection.
I could probably add a secondary submersible pump in the large port and use it to dump to waste but I am pumping out rather than draining out which is my preference.

Dellmassive said:
Where is the fill port?
Click to expand...
Outside of van, Same place as factory built California version.

Dellmassive said:
Post some pics of the under side.
Click to expand...
Cannot get under the van as it has side bars and I not a fat-boy not even a bean pole could fit under! 😎😁😁
I might try and use a GoPro and see how the images come out.
Dellmassive said:
*****

The battery's still be fitted in the cabinetry some where... Either in a compartment somewhere.

Or you may need to in screw a few panels.
Click to expand...
Whole thing in built as 'a one piece slide-in unit' according to CamperKing.
I will need to actually locate the batteries with a camera probe.


Thanks for responding and giving ideas and suggestions.
Always good to have other peoples ideas.
 
The drain fitting needs to be at the lowest point on the tank without risking knocking it off.
Most plastic tanks are too thin to tap a thread so you’d need to drill through and fit a bulkhead type fitting with a backing nut and a seal on both sides.
To fit the backing nut you need access to the inside of the tank.

I believe the Camperking battery location / access is a pain in the arse, I seem to remember there is a discussion on the Forum. Have a Search
 
DXX said:
The drain fitting needs to be at the lowest point on the tank without risking knocking it off.
Most plastic tanks are too thin to tap a thread so you’d need to drill through and fit a bulkhead type fitting with a backing nut and a seal on both sides.
To fit the backing nut you need access to the inside of the tank.

I believe the Camperking battery location / access is a pain in the arse, I seem to remember there is a discussion on the Forum. Have a Search
Click to expand...
Yes, I found it when searching tonight see my post above.
It is located under a hidden cut-out hatch in the section to the right of the stove and grill unit.
No way I can get the tank out so need to leave it as is or try to put a secondary submersible pump in to pump out the tank. I prefer as you say to use a natural drain via a drain tap. Hey ho, at least I did not design it!
 
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@jknights

Re: battery location,

The model layouts vary - but if anything like the Monte Carlo (which sounds possible from your description) you will need to disassemble the rear cabinet.

Some images from before I got around to adding Solar:-
mlh677

Post in thread 'Camper King Le Mans: Leisure battery removal issues'

Hi mate,

If it is the same as some of their other layouts (I do not know?), then probably simplest to take back of the cupboard out and then just remove the small panel that hides the battery.

You might need to secure the battery though - I had to, as mine had been sliding around and damaged cable sheath.

I replaced a tired 80AH unit with a fresh new 120AH a few months back. What a difference - well worth doing!
:thumbsup:

Screenshot_20211019-192527_Gallery.jpg

Screenshot_20211019-192636_Gallery.jpg
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mlh677 said:
@jknights

Re: battery location,

The model layouts vary - but if anything like the Monte Carlo (which sounds possible from your description) you will need to disassemble the rear cabinet.

Some images from before I got around to adding Solar:-
mlh677

Post in thread 'Camper King Le Mans: Leisure battery removal issues'

Hi mate,

If it is the same as some of their other layouts (I do not know?), then probably simplest to take back of the cupboard out and then just remove the small panel that hides the battery.

You might need to secure the battery though - I had to, as mine had been sliding around and damaged cable sheath.

I replaced a tired 80AH unit with a fresh new 120AH a few months back. What a difference - well worth doing!
:thumbsup:

Screenshot_20211019-192527_Gallery.jpg

Screenshot_20211019-192636_Gallery.jpg
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Click to expand...
Thanks, pictures make for easier comparison of ways in.

I have the Santorini conversion done in 2018 they thought (last owners).
It is a nice conversion but not done with any thought given to maintenance and easy of access.
My electics are under another hidden hatch, to the right of my water tank, looking into the camper from the side door. In my picture in post#1 behind the horizontal rectangular cupboard door. It holds the inverter, the fuses and the RCD and isolator for mains hookup.
I will see if I can locate the batteries with a camera probe but I think they are behind the panel with the electrical controls and 13A sockets and heater control.
So underneath and to the left of the bed area. A hatch there would be a winner but I cannot see one at first glance but until I look carefully I could be mistaken.
 
Ease of maintenance was clearly not a design consideration.

Another explanation I have seen (though once again a different layout to yours) :-

fpdizzle

Post in thread 'Camper King Le Mans: Leisure battery removal issues'

For anyone else out there who has an older Le Mans (2019 ish) I attach the comprehensive instructions provided by the dealer who managed to remove and change the battery on my van.

These weren’t provided by camperking, whose only advise was that it’s a bit of a faff.

I have a feeling the new(er) battery is now also in need of replacement now. The van is in the garage getting some bodywork repairs at the moment but as I had to empty everything out beforehand, I think I may be taking a screwdriver to the back panel once I have it back to replace the battery.

If I do this I’ll provide...
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Ok I can see the top of one of the batteries (85A) below the level of the window and behind the panel with all the instruments and 13A power sockets, so I guess the way in is either to cut a hatch or to go in from the rear via removing the gas locker. Need to think this out.
Where is the second battery? I guess it is either beside it or below it.

IMG_2170.webp
 
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doncarlyon said:
And this will be exactly why they have built it in such a stupid way.
Click to expand...
Hatches are good. Hidden or easily accessible. Neither are present in my conversion. I am considering cutting one to be able to remove the batteries easily as and when they need replacement.
I think I will follow your advice and try to access the batteries from the rear.
IMG_1758.webp
The large hatch at the back gives access to the solar panel electrics and MPPT Pro controller and fuses.
IMG_4712.webp

So I need to get into the area behind the panel where the controls are mounted.
At least I can do this in my time as there is little immediate urgency as the batteries are still OK.IMG_1760.webp
 
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