Calling all Malibu campervan owners!

[NicandJay]

So.... we are seriously considering changing our coachbuilt Burstner for a new Malibu Diversity campervan on a 6.36m Fiat chassis on 4200kg chassis with 9 speed auto on 180 hp engine. My questions to you all are...
As standard it comes with an 84l compressor fridge with 2 x 80ah gel batteries but no solar up top so what rating of panels do you reckon I will need to get a couple of days/nights without driving or plugging in to EHU and therefore which controller will I need. I do know that the sun needs to shine as well before anyone says and no I am not going down the lithium route straight away...
And... are you pleased with your van? Any significant issues from a conversion point of view.
TIA

 

[jezport]

In the UK 180w solar would work in the summer months but you couldnt fit enough up there to cover winter use.
Depending on roof windows you may get 2 good size panels up there and combine that with a decent MPPT regulator that would be your limit solar wise. Personally I would get a 230AH lithium battery fitted instead of the gels.

 

[NicandJay]

thanks jezport. Yes if we were away in UK we would probably be on EHU most of the time. It was really a question aimed at lovely sunny days away across the water from April through to October Spain, France, Italy , Greece. If I didnt fit the solar would the 230AH lithium cope on its own for a couple of days before driving to recharge? I do realise there are a load of variables regarding power consumption so just a rough idea. To change to a 230AH lithium what would I need to change on the van and roughly what do you estimate would be the cost. Would the lithium fit in the same space as one of the gels? Loads of questions I know so thanks for your reply

 

[Bolti]

Mine is a 5.4 m fiat and have plenty of room for a 200w panel from Craig solar.

 

[Treeeev]

So.... we are seriously considering changing our coachbuilt Burstner for a new Malibu Diversity campervan on a 6.36m Fiat chassis on 4200kg chassis with 9 speed auto on 180 hp engine. My questions to you all are...
As standard it comes with an 84l compressor fridge with 2 x 80ah gel batteries but no solar up top so what rating of panels do you reckon I will need to get a couple of days/nights without driving or plugging in to EHU and therefore which controller will I need. I do know that the sun needs to shine as well before anyone says and no I am not going down the lithium route straight away...
And... are you pleased with your van? Any significant issues from a conversion point of view.
TIA

Hi NicandJay

I can't help with solar sizing etc as I have never had a compressor fridge, however I have had a Malibu DB600 6m panel van for 7 1/2 years. I have had NO issues with the conversion what so ever. The whole van is very well constructed and there are no rattles of squeaks from the furniture. The bathroom is a good size with the toilet swinging under the bed to give extra room and a decent sized shower. I'm really pleased with the van, the only thing I wish I had done was to have bought the 6.4m version with the longditudinal beds

Cheers

Trevor

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[NicandJay]

Hi NicandJay

I can't help with solar sizing etc as I have never had a compressor fridge, however I have had a Malibu DB600 6m panel van for 7 1/2 years. I have had NO issues with the conversion what so ever. The whole van is very well constructed and there are no rattles of squeaks from the furniture. The bathroom is a good size with the toilet swinging under the bed to give extra room and a decent sized shower. I'm really pleased with the van, the only thing I wish I had done was to have bought the 6.4m version with the longditudinal beds

Cheers

Trevor

Thanks for that Treeev, exactly what I had hoped to hear. Our Burstner is not old (Feb 21) and we have managed to cure a lot of the rattles but by no means all but thats not why we are looking to change. Which dealer did you buy from?

 

[Treeeev]

Thanks for that Treeev, exactly what I had hoped to hear. Our Burstner is not old (Feb 21) and we have managed to cure a lot of the rattles but by no means all but thats not why we are looking to change. Which dealer did you buy from?

 

[Treeeev]

NicandJay

We bought from Elite Motorhomes in Banbury, but they lost their Carthago dealership a year or two after we bought ours

Cheers

Trevor

 

[jezport]

thanks jezport. Yes if we were away in UK we would probably be on EHU most of the time. It was really a question aimed at lovely sunny days away across the water from April through to October Spain, France, Italy , Greece. If I didnt fit the solar would the 230AH lithium cope on its own for a couple of days before driving to recharge? I do realise there are a load of variables regarding power consumption so just a rough idea. To change to a 230AH lithium what would I need to change on the van and roughly what do you estimate would be the cost. Would the lithium fit in the same space as one of the gels? Loads of questions I know so thanks for your reply

Yes 230ah lithium would easily cope for a few days. The Lithium eould replace both gels with space to spare. If your van has an electroblok charger it will charge the Lithium fine. As your van would be new I presume it would have a B2B unit as standard. So unless you were fitting solar it would only need the battery.
I have a 3 way fridge and a 140w panel and never run out of power in the summer.

 

[Grey Fox]

We have had our 640 comfort for 10 months, very pleased with the standard of the conversion, beds are super comfortable, not rattles from the fittings, have been out in some cold weather and found it very well insulated. No regrets.

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[NicandJay]

We have had our 640 comfort for 10 months, very pleased with the standard of the conversion, beds are super comfortable, not rattles from the fittings, have been out in some cold weather and found it very well insulated. No regrets.

Thanks for the informative reply

 

[f6c]

The lithium battery could be fitted in the storage floor area below the table. I have 280 watts of panels on my 640.