Older motorhomes, camper vans and caravans can be quickly brought up to date
with today’s connected, digital age thanks to the ONDA Connectivity retrofitting kits,
which are easy to install and extend the vehicle’s working life with future-ready solutions.
Connectivity, energy management and digital control have become central elements in the design of recreational vehicles. With ONDA Connectivity, AL-KO Vehicle Technology Electronics introduces connected, future-oriented retrofit solutions that intelligently extend the vehicle’s working life.
Today, retrofitting means far more than replacing an outdated or faulty component: it means upgrading the vehicle by introducing intelligent technologies. Traditional systems – electrical distribution modules and control panels – can be updated with the complete ONDA Connectivity digital system.
Key benefits
- In around two hours, a vehicle can become fully digital, at a fraction of the cost of buying a new one.
- Even a vehicle with many years of use behind it can easily be transformed into a connected, future-ready smart home hub.
ONDA Connectivity
At the heart of the ONDA Connectivity platform is a smart infrastructure that allows the main on-board functions to be managed and monitored from a control panel or smartphone. This provides comprehensive information on numerous vehicle functions, along with convenient control of on-board utilities:
- Lighting control
- Interior temperature control
- Battery charge level
- Solar panel charging status
- Vehicle levelling position
- Fresh water level monitoring
- Precise vehicle location via GPS
The ONDA Connectivity platform is simple and practical to use thanks to a dedicated mobile app, developed specifically to manage and control all functions through a single interface. It enables communication with smartphones and tablets, both locally via Bluetooth and remotely via the internet, all using a single SIM card.
The benefits of retrofitting
In a single, straightforward step, an AL-KO VTE retrofit carried out with ONDA Connectivity transforms the vehicle’s functionality, bringing it into the modern era thanks to the integration of intelligent technologies capable of improving safety, efficiency, comfort and sustainability.
Traditional electrical systems are transformed into a unified environment that can be controlled via app, without the need to structurally redesign the electrical architecture.
Compared with a factory-installed system, an ONDA Connectivity retrofit also creates greater scope for upgrades throughout the vehicle’s entire life cycle, allowing it to stay up to date for many years to come. Modular accessories such as solar panels can easily be added, while ONDA Connectivity components can be updated as new technologies become available, making the vehicle even more future-ready.
The system is also not limited to proprietary devices: it supports several communication protocols, including LIN-BUS, CI-BUS and CAN-BUS, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of vehicle configurations and component suppliers, including the most widely used heating and air conditioning systems, refrigerators and batteries. AL-KO VTE’s aim is to progressively expand this ecosystem.
Retrofitting doesn’t just update the vehicle itself, but also helps to simplify the user experience. A clear, immediate overview of utilities and vehicle status within a single environment supports a stress-free camping experience, without the need to check multiple displays or apps.
Kits and installation
The ONDA Connectivity retrofitting kit is designed to be installed without interfering with the existing system and without the need to replace on-board accessories or structural wiring. By replacing the control panel and electrical distribution unit – and integrating the ICL12 gateway – digital connectivity can be introduced quickly.
AL-KO VTE has developed three complete retrofitting systems for a simple, immediate upgrade, each featuring a combination of control panel, distribution box and ICL12 gateway. Two combinations are designed for CBE systems, while one is designed for Nordelettronica systems.
This modular approach simplifies the process and makes retrofitting efficient and repeatable, allowing smart connectivity to be introduced without compromising full operational reliability.
Retrofit kits can be installed at AL-KO Customer Centres and at certified dealers throughout Europe, supported by an ongoing training programme developed by AL-KO VTE.
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