Are today's shiny new motorhomes fit for purpose?

LostInSpace

LostInSpace

Joined
Oct 17, 2023
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MH
Fiat Based Hymer
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)
 
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I think there is also the issue of more tech more weight and then compromises on build materials and quality in order to get MH's back to below 3500KG. Base vehicles have got heavier over the years because of additional technology.
 
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At the prices they ask today, They'd better be fit for purpose.
However, the golden rule is to buy second hand anyway. If the van has done a few thousand miles then it is more likely to be OK than brand new one..

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I would never ever buy a new vehicle of any sort. Had enough trouble with new company cars every two years just when the current car was sorted and running beautifully.

LostInSpace said:
the regenerative braking system was ridiculous - at best, only charging the starter battery to 12.2 volts.
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Well I never! In spite of having a lifelong interest in all things motorvehicles and engines I had no idea that regenerative braking systems were fitted on ICE motorhomes.
 
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LostInSpace said:
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)
Click to expand...

I suspect while they may sort out teething problems the level of technology we now have in ICE is as good as it's going to get.

As I understand it no-one is doing much development of ICE-related technology anymore. (Would you if the new game is entirely different technology?) This is the peak. The best, most advanced engines (ICE, that is) the world will ever see :(

We, the mere consumers, are often a bit caught out by it. Or at least I am. Turntables to CD players to downloadable music; film cameras to digital. Then again, it's an ill wind. My batteries weigh less than before, photos are easier...
 
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Spriddler said:
Well I never! In spite of having a lifelong interest in all things motorvehicles and engines I had no idea that regenerative braking systems were fitted on ICE motorhomes.
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It's a very loose interpretation of the phrase, in this instance it means under braking or engine overrun the smart alternator steps up its output to charge the battery for free. Nothing to do with the brakes.
 
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Spriddler said:
I would never ever buy a new vehicle of any sort. Had enough trouble with new company cars every two years just when the current car was sorted and running beautifully.


Well I never! In spite of having a lifelong interest in all things motorvehicles and engines I had no idea that regenerative braking systems were fitted on ICE motorhomes.
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I saw that as well, but didn't comment as I just don't know but is this guy winding us up? :unsure:
Oh right just seen Lenny HB post above so I might have jumped the gun there.
 
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Hopefully your dealer will get it to Fiat for repairs and rectify your problems in short order👍😊
 
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Lenny HB said:
It's a very loose interpretation of the phrase, in this instance it means under braking or engine overrun the smart alternator steps up its output to charge the battery for free. Nothing to do with the brakes.
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If that's the case then itooks as if his alternator is knackered.
 
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jongood said:
Too many gizmos too complicated. We re all gasping at the continual comfortmatic failures, just wait till the adblue problems start. KISS!
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With such infrequent servicing needed nowadays and generally long-lived engine mechanicals it's probable that sorting faults with the complex gizmo stuff is the main income generator for garages.

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Lenny HB said:
It's a very loose interpretation of the phrase, in this instance it means under braking or engine overrun the smart alternator steps up its output to charge the battery for free. Nothing to do with the brakes.
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It is not the "free" charging which is the problem. It is the lack of any meaningful charging for the rest of the time.

I suggest a scenario:-

Motorhome leaves EHU campsite with batteries fully charged (12.8 volts)
Cruises for 6 hours on open motorway with headlights on.
No need to brake (and negligible engine overun), so smart alternator sits at 12.2 volts.
Without effective charging, Engine battery is drained by headlights to 12.2 volts.
As the split charge relay is operated, does the leisure battery get drained as well?

Motorhome arrives at new destination without EHU and both batteries are at 12.2 volts.
 
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Lenny HB said:
A bit unfair saying Motorhomes aren't fit for purpose when it's the Fiat van bit that's gone wrong.
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Perhaps unfair to single out Fiat, but I have no experience of other new base vehicles.

But the situation is probably the same because they are subject to the same regulations.
 
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LostInSpace said:
No need to brake (and negligible engine overun), so smart alternator sits at 12.2 volts.
Without effective charging, Engine battery is drained by headlights to 12.2 volts.
Click to expand...
Smart alternator should cut back in when battery voltage drops below 12.4v.
LostInSpace said:
As the split charge relay is operated, does the leisure battery get drained as well?
Click to expand...
You should never use a split charge relay with a smart alternator you must use a B2B.

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Lenny HB said:
Smart alternator should cut back in when battery voltage drops below 12.4v.
Click to expand...
Hmmm.
OK, so my system reads low. It is still a long way from 12.8.

Lenny HB said:
You should never use a split charge relay with a smart alternator you must use a B2B.
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Don't tell me. Tell the people who builld the shiny new motorhomes which we buy.
 
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LostInSpace said:
No. Same make as yours.
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Hymers normally have a Schaudt B2B unless it's a older Merc with an early smart alternator.
Yours is a new Fiat so it should have one.

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LostInSpace said:
Nice idea. Shame the reality is different.
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As your stop start is playing up as well it suggests a faulty alternator or the battery is not holding it's charge. More lightly the alternator by the sound of it.
If the battery is never getting a proper charge it's propably ruined and needs replacing.
 
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