Are today's shiny new motorhomes fit for purpose?

[LostInSpace]

I think not.

A shiny new Fiat based motorhome purchased new this year has been off the road for two months, unable to start the engine.

Why?

Because the start/stop system went start/stop start/STOP on lane two of a busy motorway - not to start again and has since been on the back of 4 recovery trucks. The tracker people keep ringing to ask why is it moving without the engine running?

In addition to that, before it STOPPED, the regenerative braking system was ridiculous - at best, only charging the starter battery to 12.2 volts. In some cases, the start/stop system was discharging the battery faster than the alternator could recharge it.

After being recovered from lane 2 of the motorway, the dealer told me that the engine battery was probably dead/dying when we bought it because it had been left uncharged in various places after the battery manufacturer made it. Quite probably for years before we got it.

The prospect of a low leisure battery being charged above 12.2 volts was non exsistant. (and that battery had probably suffered the same fate as the starter battery)

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

But the air we breath is cleaner

But is it??
China has stopped pumping crap into the air now, have they?
I think not.

 

[VXman]

Schaudt EBL. but no B2B.

Which EBL? I thought the B2B was built into the EBL?

Also, how do you know you have a smart alternator. I have a 2021 Fiat and it's not a smart alternator.

 

[VXman]

But is it??
China has stopped pumping crap into the air now, have they?
I think not.

We don't live in China.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

On our old ambulance there are two black boxes under the seat when the alternator kicks in a light comes on on them both and it charges all the batteries, when one is full that light switches off and it keeps charging the other one , when that is full they both switch off, then if one battery goes down it switched on again.
When we are stopped they both switch off and the batteries are separate and the solar comes on and charges them both again.
Don't know what sort of system you call this as it was already in when we bought it.
But it just simply works.

I would call it a very good, simple system.

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

We don't live in China.

I know we don't.
My point is that global polluters are still at large, effecting the world's health.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

On our old ambulance there are two black boxes under the seat when the alternator kicks in a light comes on on them both and it charges all the batteries, when one is full that light switches off and it keeps charging the other one , when that is full they both switch off, then if one battery goes down it switched on again.
When we are stopped they both switch off and the batteries are separate and the solar comes on and charges them both again.
Don't know what sort of system you call this as it was already in when we bought it.
But it just simply works.

If I get chance, I will pop into our Ambulance Technicians and workshop at work and ask what the split charging system is.
They are absolute wizards at keeping the things running, and I have had my eye on a couple of old Mercedes based vehicles that may be coming up for disposal of soon by the trust.
They are maintained extremely well and some of the 7mtr ones look like they could convert to be the business!

 

[Pausim]

But is it??
China has stopped pumping crap into the air now, have they?
I think not.

Best not to confuse pollution which is local and CO2 which is global. Yes other nation are adding lots of CO2 but they are not affecting the pollution we have to breathe which is very local.

 

[chaser]

If I get chance, I will pop into our Ambulance Technicians and workshop at work and ask what the split charging system is.
They are absolute wizards at keeping the things running, and I have had my eye on a couple of old Mercedes based vehicles that may be coming up for disposal of soon by the trust.
They are maintained extremely well and some of the 7mtr ones look like they could convert to be the business!

I know it's something that folks on here like to joke about but do you know it doesn't worry me one minute when I think I have everything for 5 grand that they have for over a hundred grand in some cases.
And I ain't worried about a scratch or two as it won't devalue it one iota.

 

[funflair]

But is it??
China has stopped pumping crap into the air now, have they?
I think not.

Well what comes out of the exhaust is certainly cleaner than it used to be.

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Well what comes out of the exhaust is certainly cleaner than it used to be.

For some vehicles, yes, but by no means all, especially heavy lorries and a lot of older ICE cars.

 

[JoshnPen]

I know it's something that folks on here like to joke about but do you know it doesn't worry me one minute when I think I have everything for 5 grand that they have for over a hundred grand in some cases.
And I ain't worried about a scratch or two as it won't devalue it one iota.

I love your ambulance, it has personality and charisma. I would defo park up next to you, to pump for info on how you did the conversion (probably not what you want, sorry).

 

[Lenny HB]

Which EBL? I thought the B2B was built into the EBL?

No, EBL has a split charge relay, not the same.

Also, how do you know you have a smart alternator. I have a 2021 Fiat and it's not a smart alternator.

Must be built on an old chassis, build date will be on the Fiat C of C.

Fiat started building Motorhome chassis with engines that met Euro 6D which needs a smart alternator in September 2019.

 

[VXman]

No, EBL has a split charge relay, not the same.

Must be built on an old chassis, build date will be on the Fiat C of C.

Fiat started building Motorhome chassis with engines that met Euro 6D which needs a smart alternator in September 2019.

Well I doubt it was that old and it is Euro 6 - so how do I tell if I have a smart alternator or not? I only assume I don't as it seems to charge the leisure battery at 14.2 volts all the time when the engine is running.

 

[VXman]

I know we don't.
My point is that global polluters are still at large, effecting the world's health.

My point is - Chinas pollution will have a minor effect in UK.

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[Pausim]

Well I doubt it was that old and it is Euro 6 - so how do I tell if I have a smart alternator or not? I only assume I don't as it seems to charge the leisure battery at 14.2 volts all the time when the engine is running.

I would expect the Schaudt EBL to be combined with a Schaudt 121525 Booster which would keep the leisure battery charging voltage at a steady level whatever the smart alternator is putting out. They call it a Booster, just another name for a B2B.

 

[PaulW2]

Well I doubt it was that old and it is Euro 6 - so how do I tell if I have a smart alternator or not? I only assume I don't as it seems to charge the leisure battery at 14.2 volts all the time when the engine is running.

I suppose it could be. Mine is. It was first registered in April 21 but was manufactured in 2019. I think Covid caused production lags... My C of C (from Dethleffs, which owns Globecar. It is in turn owned by Hymer, which also owns Burstner) specifies that it's a Euro 6 c. So therefore presumably before the magic Euro 6D date.

 

[Lenny HB]

Well I doubt it was that old and it is Euro 6 - so how do I tell if I have a smart alternator or not? I only assume I don't as it seems to charge the leisure battery at 14.2 volts all the time when the engine is running.

Lots of Motorhomes are built on chassis that are over a year old.
Like I said check your Fiat C of C.

Also what is the Euro classification, Euro 6C won't have a smart alternator but Euro 6D will have.

A smart alternator will have a shunt on the negative starter battery terminal.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

My point is - Chinas pollution will have a minor effect in UK.

But perhaps not in Thailand, Russia and Australia.
As I said, world populations.

 

[Basildog]

A bit unfair saying Motorhomes aren't fit for purpose when it's the Fiat van bit that's gone wrong.

Has any Fiat ever been fit for purpose ?
I actually can’t stand the noise they make when running, might have to ask customers to switch off the engine out on the road and push them in

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[Barti Ddu]

Lots of Motorhomes are built on chassis that are over a year old.
Like I said check your Fiat C of C.

Also what is the Euro classification, Euro 6C won't have a smart alternator but Euro 6D will have.

A smart alternator will have a shunt on the negative starter battery terminal.

My 2021 Ducato Euro6D with AdBlu has a standard alternator. Built on a newly supplied van - not old stock. Apparently convertors could specify this rather than a smart alternator.

Thread '2021 Autotrail PVC - smart alternator?' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/2021-autotrail-pvc-smart-alternator.257871/

 

[Lenny HB]

My 2021 Ducato Euro6D with AdBlu has a standard alternator. Built on a newly supplied van - not old stock. Apparently convertors could specify this rather than a smart alternator.

Thread '2021 Autotrail PVC - smart alternator?' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/2021-autotrail-pvc-smart-alternator.257871/

What is the chassis build date?

 

[PaulW2]

Lots of Motorhomes are built on chassis that are over a year old.
Like I said check your Fiat C of C.

Would he have one from Fiat rather than the converter? I don't.

 

[Lenny HB]

Would he have one from Fiat rather than the converter? I don't.

Normally get all of them I have ones from Fiat, Al-ko & Hymer.

 

[PaulW2]

Normally get all of them I have ones from Fiat, Al-ko & Hymer.

Guess it may work differently in different jurisdictions? Mine was first sold in Spain and imported a year later. And/or may work differently if one is building an A Class or coachbuilt rather than a PVC? Just speculating... My Dethleffs certificate covers the works including various emissions figures, so they seem to cover what the vehicle manufacturer is responsible for.

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[Lenny HB]

Guess it may work differently in different jurisdictions? Mine was first sold in Spain and imported a year later. And/or may work differently if one is building an A Class or coachbuilt rather than a PVC? Just speculating... My Dethleffs certificate covers the works including various emissions figures, so they seem to cover what the vehicle manufacturer is responsible for.

It's Euro wide each stage construction has a C of C

 

[Pausim]

Apparently convertors could specify this rather than a smart alternator.

Not since September 2019. The 6D should mean it has to have a smart alternator and AdBlue. What makes you think it doesn’t have a smart alternator?

 

[Lenny HB]

As Pausim says can't be supplied without a smart alternator if its Euro 6D which was September 2019 on. .

From 2016 Euro 6C, panel vans had smart alternators but Motorhome converters could specify a standard alternator on Euro 6C engines.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Not since September 2019. The 6D should mean it has to have a smart alternator and AdBlue. What makes you think it doesn’t have a smart alternator?

It has AdBlu but no smart alternator. How do I know? No shunt on the negative battery terminal, plus a member on here kindly sent me a copy of my Fiat build specification from my VIN number. Vehicle was specified with a standard non-smart alternator.

See this thread -

Thread '2021 Autotrail PVC - smart alternator?' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/2021-autotrail-pvc-smart-alternator.257871/

 

[Lenny HB]

It has AdBlu but no smart alternator. How do I know? No shunt on the negative battery terminal, plus a member on here kindly sent me a copy of my Fiat build specification from my VIN number. Vehicle was specified with a standard non-smart alternator.

See this thread -

Thread '2021 Autotrail PVC - smart alternator?' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/2021-autotrail-pvc-smart-alternator.257871/

Tell what the build date is on the Fiat C of C please.

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[Coolcats]

We don't live in China.

But we live in the same world and as the world spins at any point during the day you will be in the same celestial position as the Chinese or French we are all just a few hours between where each country took this space we inhabit etc etc it’s all a matter of timing.