Rojie

Very interesting.

I am not, and have never been, an electrician ! My opinion is no it is not dangerous, but worth being aware of. Feel the cable. However, I certainly would not advise putting the (coiled) cable in a bag to keep it dry. I have been known to place the coiled reel under the tail to keep it dry from the rain. Naughty ! I am not familiar with the Kamp Diddy. I doubt it draws much current; but keep it away from the sink and any drinks ! When I run a fan heater it is always on minimum heat; otherwise the van gets too hot too quickly. It is worth asking the campsite what amperage their supply is? Most are 16A, some are 10A, and some are 5A !! Some even have zero amps !

Front screen should not allow you to watch DVDs while driving,; listen yes, watch no. So it does sound like a footbrake override that allows 12V to whatever is the correct pin !

So your radio works with the footbrake applied ?

I agree. It is not best practice to use coiled mains lead. If you do pull a lot of current the lead will get warmer. More current, more heat.

The potential issue with 1.5mm cable (14.5A) is that it is rated at less than most campsite fuse trips (16A). 2.5mm is rated at 20A. You need to be quite a consumer to need more than 14A !

It's worth checking ebay feedback for Kazzas Cables.

Handbrake bypass. That's the one I couldn't remember.

Or Kwik Fit

Hi again Oddie, I have come across these reasons, so far, for extra switches. One is for the rear fog lights, if added for the UK MOT; but the switch needs to be lit when activated. Two, is to allow the radio to work when the ignition is switched off. There is another, if I can remember it ! Sometimes the original owners have added gizmos that get removed before export Hopefully I'll add it tomorrow, if no one else does !

Small world. I used to work with, not for, the Eaton Corporation !

So air con works fine, but when turned off heating is grim ? So is air con on constantly ?

Do you travel on the Continent much ? Availability of LPG west of Exeter can be fun !

Some sites are not happy with 1.5mm. Should you accidently trip any fuses it could become awkward ! Regarding length, not weight, I use reusable cable ties to limit the 'notional' length and make my 25m more manageable. Splitting them is OK, but they need to be watertight ! Keeping it partially coiled does increase inductance, but we won't go there !

Hello Phill, Welcome to the Forum. How long have you had your Alphie ? Go to Halfords and get your battery tested under load. Is there a date on the battery ? Silly suggestion, but replace the batteries in your keys. Do them one at a time !

Hello Mark, Welcome to the Forum. Have you got the air con turned off ?

I have heard nothing, official or otherwise, but would not be surprised if Toyota UK was aware how popular Alphards are becoming and is considering exploring the market. I guess getting the support from their Official UK Dealership organisation could be problematic; training and equipment costs, etc. Hopefully they do and, eventually, the availability of Alphies and Vellies will improve substantially, and getting a service by Toyota UK will no longer be a problem. Not to say anything about the Lexus version.

Hi Jelly, As I just noted with Oddie, please give it a go.

Sorry I missed your comment on the V8 No, it isn't in my Alphie. What an idea though. Perhaps I should have bought a Chevy day van instead I had use of one when I lived in Denver

I remember them well When I visited Oulu. Was that place cold ?!? I also lived in the USA (many years ago) where block heaters were common in the Mid West states.

Hello Oddcouple, Thanks for your interest in developing the social aspects of The Club; but I think there is some misunderstanding here Perhaps issues is too strong of a phrase for me to have used. So, as far as I am aware, there is no restriction on members trying, or succeeding, in arranging meets. What I was trying to point out is, that as far as I am aware, there are no official Alphard Club meets. That is meets that are organised by the Club Staff. I was, and remain, happy to refer this 'fact' to the Owner to enquire about his views on having 'The Club' officially involved in such arrangements. There is, of course, no need for members to seek permission to gather together for whatever reason. Nor can I see any reason why the Forum could not be used as a method to facilitate a meeting. However, my reason for joining was for technical support, and not for social interaction. Having said that, I cannot believe the Forum, or Club, would wish to obstruct any social interaction on this site. Perhaps, with time, the focus of the Club / Forum will shift from a more technical mutual / self help group to one with a more social focus. It is difficult to understand why both could not be achieved. Regarding your, and other members, ability and desire to arrange meets, I agree with Starider; "give it a go". May I respectfully suggest, you send a PM to Alphard Club to further your interest in promoting the Club in this way.

Surely, there are two issues here. The first is Are members interested in attending meets ? The second is Are members interested in arranging the meets ? If any members are volunteering to arrange meets on behalf of the Forum, please let me know and I'll refer them to the owner of the Forum. I would certainly be interested in attending a meet within Devon, Cornwall or Somerset. There was a meet in Scotland, recently, which was arranged informally between members and , presumably, non members of this Forum. There is a video available on YouTube. Cuttothechase.

Was able to order today !

I used to put a fan heater in my car years ago !

Is your battery charger set to Lead Calcium ? Lead Calcium batteries require a higher output voltage to fully charge that type of battery. That could explain the high voltage on the charger; but not while being charged by your alternator. I have a charger in my van, so as soon as I go EHU the leisure battery gets charged. My leisure battery is not Lead Calcium, and I doubt yours is either; but its worth checking the battery type. Do you have an independent voltmeter. Always worth it.