change hab batteries on a carthago

[Scout]

NB also posted on Carthago motorhome thread

I’m looking to change my hab batteries on my Carthago c line 5000k on v5 but plated at 5250k.

The current excide es900 batteries are coming up to 7 years use, possibly older if they had been sat around before fitting as new.

I’ve thought about lithium, but, we are rarely of grid, just a few days at time, so the expense of going that way, as I would need at least a new mains charger plus a B2B, there is a Victron inverter charger and a Voltronic Mppt solar charger these both have lithium profiles so would be ok.

The excide es900 are about £175 each so £700, but seem to out of stock at the main dealers.

I’ve also heard/read the main control panel on Carthago’s has a problem with not restarting after the disconnection of the hab batteries, but I’ve no experience of this other than the internet.

I’ve looked under the floor where the standard fit batteries are, they other 2 are fitted in the garage in proper battery boxes. They all seem to join up at 2 buss bars by the main install

So If I CAN get the batteries and at a price that competitive? Can I CARFULLY replace the inside 2, leaving the 2 in the garage connected and powering up the hab system, then do the 2 in the garage, would this protect the main control panel or is it not safe.

Would I have to disable the solar input/output, by taking the positive output wire out, or removing the fuse?

If I cant get the excides I might bit the bullet and go lithium, but as I’m coming 71, I’ve possible only got 2 more years with this van so Id be reluctant to spend too much on it.

The excides are rated at 80AH so 320AH /2 so only 160AH usable, so If I went lithium 2X 100ah or 1 200ah would give me similar of better power. Weight is not really an issue but every reduction helps a little.

The only other problem I can foresee is having recently had a major opp, if I can physically do it myself or get a company to do it, as everybody seems to want to do fit lithium only and lots of addy on bits. It sounds a bit “emperors new clothes to me” .

 

[AdrianChen]

If it were me I would power the system down carefully before removing any battery cables that might cause a short, and "turn off" the solar, and remove EHU connections. Then turn off all the 12v devices in the van, next the panel, then after that turn off the main red power switch. I have done this on mine a few times and not had an issue with the panel. Next I would remove the negative battery connections, then the positives.

If I were rarely off grid, I would probably go for a 200ah lithium replacement, spending some of the difference on a b2b (Victron XS to avoid cable upgrades) if the van didn't already have one.

If you have a Victron inverter charger there shouldn't be a need for a further charger. Easy then to expand the battery capacity later if needed.

Have a chat with one of the better installers about options, there is sure to be one near you.....

 

[Lenny HB]

I don't think the batteries in the gargage are standard the nodrmal C Line arrangement is 2 in the battery box and room for a third.
You can run Gels down to 20% SOC.

As Adrian said the inverter/charger has a high power mains charger that is suitable for Lithium.

I would have a word with RogerIvy and nigelivy at Off Grid, they do excellent work and very reasonably priced and will give you very good advice & a Funster discount.

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[Scout]

Yes Im sure the two in the garage were fitted afterwards and are not standard fit, but they look like they have been professionally done, possibly by SAP who the original owner had fit the jacks, after fit alarm and tracker.