Cathago Malibu A class

[Neil S]

Ok somebody might be able to answer my query , we are going to look at a new I 490 LE with the 180 engine and 9 speed auto.
Its a 2023 model but unregistered and only comes with a single 90amp AGM leisure battery .
does anyone know if the charging system has lithium settings or would it need to be upgraded

 

[PeteandCher]

Not quite the same, but we have a 2024 Malibu van. Off Grid changed out the battery for a 230Ah Fogstar under the driver's seat with Victron shunt. They said the inbuilt charger on gel setting was fine, might not get battery to 100% though. The standard B2B has a lithium setting. Since then I've not plugged in at all, and we have no solar either. 2 days parked up in February with lights, TV, fridge, diesel heating and battery was at 70%, then full again by the time we got home. We used the space where the battery came out of to fit an 800w inverter.

 

[Neil S]

Not quite the same, but we have a 2024 Malibu van. Off Grid changed out the battery for a 230Ah Fogstar under the driver's seat with Victron shunt. They said the inbuilt charger on gel setting was fine, might not get battery to 100% though. The standard B2B has a lithium setting. Since then I've not plugged in at all, and we have no solar either. 2 days parked up in February with lights, TV, fridge, diesel heating and battery was at 70%, then full again by the time we got home. We used the space where the battery came out of to fit an 800w inverter.

Thank you for your reply I have a 280 Fogstar in my present Pilote which has lithium settings for both the charger and B to B .
my intention if we buy it is to transfer the lithium battery across and add 400 watt of solar as well as a 2kw Renogy inverter .
Are other possibly choice is a new Dethleffs Espirit A class but I'm leaning towards the Malibu as I think they are a bit better quality

 

[Neil S]

Update- I don't know if an funsters have bought from with this dealer www.adventurelv.com but after viewing a new Malibu A-class at Tebay and spending a good 50 minutes looking at the motorhome in depth to make sure it met our needs including the price of air-con and fitting lithium .
The dealer was aware of my 23 plate Pilote P class motorhome which has full Habitation service history and recent engine service at Fiat and I wanted to P/X it he then just turned round and said oh we don't want it .
If he'd just told me at the beginning I'd have not waisted my time .
Needless to say he won't be getting my business .

We also viewed a new Dethleffs Espirit A-class with twin single beds at a different dealership and would have bought it but the Garage is not tall enough to accommodate our Electric bikes
so were now going to view a new Laika A-class on a heavy chassis at 4.4 tons , not sure of how good the quality of Laika are but considering they are part of the Hymer group they should be good

 

[Lenny HB]

Fairly certain you will need to change the mains charger & the B2B will probably be a Schaud/Lippert which has a lithium setting but I don't like the lithium profile on them.

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[Neilh]

We had a 2017 A class Laika Ecovip 407, the build quality was generally good, with the exception of the large expanse of plastic in front of the Fiat dash.
Ran it for 4 years, no issues other than a water pump and gas thermocouple, got rid because I hated the Comformatic gearbox.

N