[Ross Macdougall]

Not talking credit for this, but the link below was posted over on the Facebook group. I've watched YouTube videos of people using Zero Campers e-Spacetourer in Germany and Italy - it got me wondering how they tackled using the A/C or heating for long periods but here they explain how.

I briefly tried in my e-Traveller but no luck, however I left the car (was watching a light plugged into the 240V socket, whilst in my garage) so did get the warning about the keys so that may still trigger the energy saving mode. I hope the firmware on the Citroen, Peugeot, Opel, and Toyota are all similar enough...

 

[Shiny]

Thanks for posting this. I hope more people post their experiences.

Step 1) Close all doors
Step 2) Drivers seatbelt
Step 3) Turn on, into Ready mode
Step 4) Set to Neutral

 

[Ross Macdougall]

Just to confirm I tried this again tonight starting with approx 75% state of charge. Doors closed (and locked from inside), driver (RHD) seatbelt clicked on place, normal power mode, in neutral, fans on auto... but still switched off after 10 or 15 minutes - so no camper mode for me ☹

 

[Shiny]

Just to confirm I tried this again tonight starting with approx 75% state of charge. Doors closed (and locked from inside), driver (RHD) seatbelt clicked on place, normal power mode, in neutral, fans on auto... but still switched off after 10 or 15 minutes - so no camper mode for me ☹

And you have a spacetourer too?

 

[Ross Macdougall]

And you have a spacetourer too?

As per my original post I have an e-Traveller and had hoped the Citroen and Peugeot shared enough in terms of firmware that it would work.

 

[Shiny]

As per my original post I have an e-Traveller and had hoped the Citroen and Peugeot shared enough in terms of firmware that it would work.

Sorry, missed that. Yeah, bad news if there are big differences in firmware between manufacturers

 

[Ross Macdougall]

Sorry, missed that. Yeah, bad news if there are big differences in firmware between manufacturers

Well, all the forums for PSA EVs lit up last week when a firmware update was made available and that was across all manufacturers. Given the vans are even MORE similar with regards to body panels / interior than the cars then I'd hope they were all the same.

 

[Ross Macdougall]

Just to confirm I tried this again tonight starting with approx 75% state of charge. Doors closed (and locked from inside), driver (RHD) seatbelt clicked on place, normal power mode, in neutral, fans on auto... but still switched off after 10 or 15 minutes - so no camper mode for me ☹

Another update... tried something different today: it dawned on me that I have RHD in UK, so I've actually left the seatbelt plugged in both front seats i.e. my passenger seat would be driver seat in Germany.

Same conditions as before but I was in my garage so key was with me and doors unlocked... 10 minutes then turned off. Same but left keys in van... 10 minutes then off again.

Now sat in van, with keys, and doors locked (video from German camper hire said doors closed but can't remember specifying locked)... 25 minutes so far, LED light in 240V inverter still on, fans on including rear where I'm sitting. Success? Need to try every variable now I know this definitely works. Including having side of rear boot open, and if it still works infinitely below 50% until what SOC?

 

[baronmax]

This is very exciting (sad I know!). But yes can confirm that it works in our Peugeot e-expert van (conventional key). I turned 'on', put it in park, locked the doors (with the internal switch) and put the seatbelt in both seats and the heater did actually get quite toasty - not bad for a currently uninsulated van without a bulkhead in chilly-in-May Scotland... Found it works best with the the down vent option on (as well as face) and recirculate. Face vents only didn't work as well. But was still going after 40 mins. Also before finding this out I found it will heat (or aircon) continuously if on a charger overnight; not sure if we were locked or not but we didn't have seatbelts plugged in.

The only downside is the running lights staying on which the German chap 'solves' with those magnetic covers... much better would be to have a switch inline with the fuse that goes to these lights... however I have looked through the manual and can't identify which fuse this is... if anyone has any luck let me know. Of course the van may complain but it ought to be easy to test by just removing the fuse in the first instance...

On a separate point it would be great to upgrade the 7kW heater with the new heatpump and better sensor that they introduced in 2022 as it is supposed to be much more efficient, but no idea if this is practical... By the way I'm pretty sure the differences between the brands in terms of firmware etc are minimal. I spoke to Peugeot recently and apparently there is a recall on my van for a dealer firmware/software update, although the fairly useless app didn't say anything...

 

[Ross Macdougall]

Great to hear you've had success 👍 I've got at portable ESVE with commando socket and can be adjusted from 6A to 16A (figured this was better than 8A to 32A for campsites, and I don't have as powerful supply at my garage anyway) - so I could connect it to a hook-up and make sure I have enough power for A/C but not so much I trip a fuse.

So I'm assuming that if the A/C works (and 120W inverter when I'm "camping mode") then the 12V battery is always being topped up. The voltage goes from 12.38V when off, to 13.34V when charging on granny cable, or 14.21V when in "Ready". I admit that this doesn't really mean too much to me, but I'm wondering if I could connect an inverter to the 12V battery. I know someone who swapped their Nissan eNV200 battery for an AGM and ran a 1500W inverter. Ideally the DC-DC converter could cope with 2000W peak, as Renogy do a pure sine wave unit with UPS so could also direct connect to a hook-up...

 

[Shiny]

Great news @baronmax. I hope I have the same results when my van arrives.

@Ross Macdougall. you seem to be one step ahead as usual, and we seem to have similar ideas/plans. Can you provide more information about your portable ESVE?

Also saw the eNV200 guy (Glyn?) hoping to replicate his setup. I'm going to start another thread because I have many questions.