VW Transporter T6.1 Camper Conversion - Ep 5 Heater Install

[@mcjjordan]

Really good info there

[@jamespenny94]

Thanks!

[@BHGJo]

I wondered how you fitted the fuel pipe to the dieseltank, knowing there is also a addblue tank you need to dimantle!!

[@nilsjohnsen7336]

Great vids man 👍 Keep them coming. No problem having the exhaust coming out under the van like that? No exhaust coming into the van?

[@jamespenny94]

It’s where it’s routed with the californias with a webasto heater. Even on a still day the air flow would be enough to disrupt it. Can’t say I’ve ever smelt it in the van. Quite common for a lot of conversions

[@aubryramillon5154]

Hey man! I'm preparing myself to install an autoterm also. The fuel pump isn't supposed to be 1000 mm away from the tank as written on the catalog ? The here, yours seem a bit more than 1m away Thanks for the answer :) And thanks for this very instructive video

[@jamespenny94]

It’s probably not more than that but some guys mounts them by the fuel tank so I don’t think it matters.

[@aubryramillon5154]

​​@@jamespenny94alright thank you ! are all the autoterms mounted as you do? so I can go full trust on your video 😅

[@jamespenny94]

@aubryramillon5154 the mounting plate that comes with it can only go in one place so I hope so 🤷‍♂️

[@Stillbusy105]

Nice video, was the electrics easy enough to hook up? I only have the vans starter battery, you think that would be adequate? Has the unit been reliable for you?

[@jamespenny94]

No issues with the unit. My parents have had one in theirs for a few years now without issues. The starter would certainly power it and I think people do use them but you definitely run the risk of it going flat. That being said you can select a shutdown voltage (at least with the comfort controller) which will turn it off when it reaches a certain V the idea being it doesn’t kill your starter. But it’s hard to say when that would happen as it depends if you’re also charging phones overnight etc. if you’re going as far as fitting the heater with all the hoses and cables. Fitting a leisure battery with a DC-DC charger isn’t a huge jump and gives greater piece of mind.

[@paulvinters4222]

Hey, great video, did you have to drill new holes to mount the plate to the frame or use existing?

[@jamespenny94]

I Drilled new holes but you could easily fit a captive nut and use the existing ones

[@marclloyd]

Hey James, I'm just in the middle of installing an Autoterm/Planar in my T6.1 as well. How did you find dropping the fuel tank - any issues?

[@jamespenny94]

Honestly, a PITA. The adblue tank made it a pretty grim job and I was fortunate to have a lift. Basically it won’t come down without disconnecting the adblue filler first. I was dropping the whole thing to do the rails but I suspect if you were able to just lower the back end enough to unclip and get the cap off then it should be alright. Just take your time.

[@marclloyd]

@@jamespenny94 Cheers. I thought you might say that. Hopefully I can just drop the back and leave the adblue pipes in place...

[@jamespenny94]

I should think that would be ok. Make sure you run it down to as low as you can go. I had about 80 mile range and it was still a lot of diesel slushing about so really run it low to make it easier. You’ll need to free the fillers at the door to give yourself some freedom of movement definitely though. I would probably try and find something to support the front portion and lower the rear with the Jack. Good luck

[@GustavssonAlex]

I want to know how this will last in europeian weather conditions. Driving on the highway in heavy rain or on a wet dirt road. How do your thoughts go?

[@jamespenny94]

They’re widely used and sit above the under tray so I see no immediate concerns. The unit is sealed and made mostly of plastic that’s exposed to the elements so corrosion will a long process. There are many on the roads happily in use and I’ve not seen anything to suggest users are having issues!

[@bems5066]

Thanks a lot !! at the end of th einstallation is it possible reinstall the cover panel to protect the Autoterm from water and dust ?

[@jamespenny94]

Yes the trim goes back on absolutely fine with no interference

[@Tomtimmyturbo15]

When is your next one

[@jamespenny94]

Hopefully soon. Chopping about with jobs at the minute as certain things require others to be done at present so have a few unfinished videos all at once

[@gandhi1078]

How much was the unit mate & where from?

[@jamespenny94]

Roughly £700 all in. Bought direct from Autoterm.

[@rallyeroamer3371]

ANy more info on how you connected the fuel line? I believe T6.1 have a 'nipple' on the top of the fule sender unit you can cut off and the pick up is already installed underneath. Did you use this or another method?

[@jamespenny94]

I prepared to use the pickup but it wasn’t there. It’s possible mine used an earlier model sender

[@rallyeroamer3371]

@@jamespenny94 Thanks for the reply, did you discover your sender unit didnt have the pickup before you cut the nipple off or after? If after and it want there, how did you seal the sender unit again? Sorry for all the questions but Im just about to start my install and its the one thing im concerned about. TIA

[@jamespenny94]

There was no nipple at all or a pickup. It’s probably safe to say that if there’s a nipple there’s a functioning pickup. I suspect that if you have perhaps a caravelle or maybe a Kombi then it’ll have one as some of those models come with heaters for passengers.

[@rallyeroamer3371]

@@jamespenny94 thanks, that makes sense. I do know someone who had a panel van with the nipple and pick up on. Who knows how VW work :/

[@stevebennett6727]

Didn’t use rivnuts??

[@jamespenny94]

Didn’t have the tool at the time.

[@davidbateman8325]

Very imformative video , just background music was like water torture, concentrated more on that than you.