changing hab batteries c line

[Scout]

NB also posted in

Electricity. Batteries & Hookup​

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” .

 

[dom_k]

I have 2 brand new exide es900 in my carthago that maybe coming out soon for a lithium swap. Van was first used in October so probably been out 5-6 times but on ehu.
I’d do a deal on them for you if interested?

 

[Scout]

where are you situated ( approx ) please send me a pm

 

[Lenny HB]

I answered on your other thread, a bit confusing starting two threads on the same subject.

Sounds like dom_k has the answer for you ideal if you don't do much off grid.

but as I’m coming 71, I’ve possible only got 2 more years with this van

??? We are both 74 and just taken delivery of a new van 6 months ago, quite a few on here still driving down to Spain in their Motorhomes in their 80's.

 

[Scout]

Lenny I do value your opinion as you have a great rep for knowledge in this area

I've had a good quote from off grid, but as I've said I'm 71 next March I don't know if I will get my c1 next time, ( lots of medical stuff ) so I'm not sure if going lithium is cost effective for me, I realise it is the way forwards IF your doing a lot off gridding and/or keeping the van for ages, I've also considered going lithium and swapping the gear to a smaller van should we change, but ruled that out as labour costs would seem prohibitive, unfortunately I'm unable due to ill health to it myself., to be honest I've contacted 5 people for quotes and only off grid have been sensible, I've also tried to get quotes for fitting the Exides both supply and fit and supply only nobody really wants the work.

I'm still considering going to "off Grid" but I'm also still looking at options, ATM the van is sitting on the drive like gnome until I get over my recent operation .

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[WESTY66]

Lenny I do value your opinion as you have a great rep for knowledge in this area

I've had a good quote from off grid, but as I've said I'm 71 next March I don't know if I will get my c1 next time, ( lots of medical stuff ) so I'm not sure if going lithium is cost effective for me, I realise it is the way forwards IF your doing a lot off gridding and/or keeping the van for ages, I've also considered going lithium and swapping the gear to a smaller van should we change, but ruled that out as labour costs would seem prohibitive, unfortunately I'm unable due to ill health to it myself., to be honest I've contacted 5 people for quotes and only off grid have been sensible, I've also tried to get quotes for fitting the Exides both supply and fit and supply only nobody really wants the work.

I'm still considering going to "off Grid" but I'm also still looking at options, ATM the van is sitting on the drive like gnome until I get over my recent operation .

Im here if you need any lifting doing, or anything else for that matter

 

[Scout]

Im here if you need any lifting doing, or anything else for that matter

thanks, how about wiring ? it cant be hard can it?

 

[WESTY66]

thanks, how about wiring ? it cant be hard can it?

I can swap batteries I have a good friend on the south coast on speed dial if I need him

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny I do value your opinion as you have a great rep for knowledge in this area

I've had a good quote from off grid, but as I've said I'm 71 next March I don't know if I will get my c1 next time, ( lots of medical stuff ) so I'm not sure if going lithium is cost effective for me, I realise it is the way forwards IF your doing a lot off gridding and/or keeping the van for ages, I've also considered going lithium and swapping the gear to a smaller van should we change, but ruled that out as labour costs would seem prohibitive, unfortunately I'm unable due to ill health to it myself., to be honest I've contacted 5 people for quotes and only off grid have been sensible, I've also tried to get quotes for fitting the Exides both supply and fit and supply only nobody really wants the work.

I'm still considering going to "off Grid" but I'm also still looking at options, ATM the van is sitting on the drive like gnome until I get over my recent operation .

Adi WESTY66 can vouch for the excellant work at sensible prices that Off Grid do.

On our last van we had 3 x78ah Gels only ever used EHU for 1 or 2 nights out of 120 batteries rarely went below 70%. Although only ever do one or two nights in UK winter. Only time batteries ever went really low was when I was in hospital for a week in Germany in a rainy October & couldn't move the van for two weeks.

For your use your current Gels may be good for a few more years, worth doing a slow discharge test on them, family easy to do or you can buy a tester that does a controlled discharge for about £40 it's not the same as a normal battery tester.
If you find they are low on capacity (natural loss is 2.5%/year. Then test them individualy as one may be dragging the others down.

We only went for Lithium on the new van because we could and if we didn't do it when the van was new we never would.
We have now turned into heavy power users with an electric kettle, air fryer & induction hob just because we can.

In your situation stick with the Gels.


To do a discharge test:-

First charge the battery fully and leave it to settle for an hour then:-
Disconnect all charging methods.

For example if it's a 100a/h battery load it with a 5 amp load and run for 5 hours, this will represent a 25% discharge. (adjust load/time to suit the size of the battery)
Disconnect the load and leave to stand for at least 30 min then measure the voltage.
Repeat the test and you will have discharged the battery to 50%.
You can repeat again then it will be 75% discharged.

 

[Scout]

Lenny HB

Re above: I disconnected the mains, which went ok, but the solar confused me, I pulled the fuse 30amp on the voltronic mppt controller expecting this to disconnect the source, but on the display panel inside it still showed it was connected, there was a draw off 0.5amps showing , is this correct?

or should I disconnect wires if so , which the input from the panels or the output to the batteries

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[Scout]

having given it lots of thought, I gone for the the lithium upgrade with off grid , in the next month or so a FOGSTAR DRIFT 12V 300AH LITHIUM LEISURE BATTERY , Victron Energy Orion XS 12/12-50A DC-DC Battery Charger, Van Bitz Battery Master plus bits and bobs as needed ..

I must say at this point, "off grid" got the quote to me the same day, other firms messed me about something silly, only wanting to fit what they had to sell which was not what I wanted.

 

[SeanDH]

having given it lots of thought, I gone for the the lithium upgrade with off grid , in the next month or so a FOGSTAR DRIFT 12V 300AH LITHIUM LEISURE BATTERY , Victron Energy Orion XS 12/12-50A DC-DC Battery Charger, Van Bitz Battery Master plus bits and bobs as needed ..

I must say at this point, "off grid" got the quote to me the same day, other firms messed me about something silly, only wanting to fit what they had to sell which was not what I wanted.

Hi Scout. Have you had the work completed yet? Interested to know how it all went.

 

[Scout]

Hi Scout. Have you had the work completed yet? Interested to know how it all went.

Yes all done, works perfectly , I can fully recommend the guys at off grid the did a really clean install and their after service is second to non, I made a mistake with the inverter switch over the weekend and mailed them Sunday night, not expecting a reply until this week, and I had an email from nigelivy that night explaining what I had done wrong. If your thinking of having any type of work done of this type, get in touch with the off grid boys, and look up their stuff on you tube , it fills you with confidence that they really do know what their doing.

 

[SeanDH]

Yes all done, works perfectly , I can fully recommend the guys at off grid the did a really clean install and their after service is second to non, I made a mistake with the inverter switch over the weekend and mailed them Sunday night, not expecting a reply until this week, and I had an email from nigelivy that night explaining what I had done wrong. If your thinking of having any type of work done of this type, get in touch with the off grid boys, and look up their stuff on you tube , it fills you with confidence that they really do know what their doing.

That’s great to know. Glad you got sorted.

 

[Scout]

If you contact them don't forget the give a good discount to motorhome fun members

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[WESTY66]

That’s great to know. Glad you got sorted.

I also have had work done by offgrid, just a modest amount of solar and battery power
They’re very good and the workmanship is second to none

 

[Scout]

I also have had work done by offgrid, just a modest amount of solar and battery power
They’re very good and the workmanship is second to none

Modest, Modest you've got more power up there than, Battersea power station used to chuck out

 

[Al n Val]

I 2nd Offgrid, they’re work and customer aftercare for me is second to none. I’ve also had major upgrades as well and possibly a little bit more at Malvern this year

You’ll not find anyone better imho

 

[WESTY66]

I 2nd Offgrid, they’re work and customer aftercare for me is second to none. I’ve also had major upgrades as well and possibly a little bit more at Malvern this year

You’ll not find anyone better imho

What you up to now??

 

[Scout]

What you up to now??

please dont start," mines bigger than yours" Ive only got a little one

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[WESTY66]

please dont start," mines bigger than yours" Ive only got a little one

He’s up to no good that’s for sure

 

[Al n Val]

He’s up to no good that’s for sure

Possibly the fridge dump shenanigans and another battery Ade

I’m sure they’ll be summat else before August I can think of

 

[WESTY66]

Possibly the fridge dump shenanigans and another battery Ade

I’m sure they’ll be summat else before August I can think of

Blummin Eck how many batteries does one need

 

[G1969]

Blummin Eck how many batteries does one need

Lots and lots

 

[WESTY66]

Lots and lots

You’re barred

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[Lenny HB]

WESTY66 if you learnt how to use your system you wouldn't need to fit a other battery every time one went flat.

 

[WESTY66]

WESTY66 if you learnt how to use your system you wouldn't need to fit a other battery every time one went flat.

It’d be nice to have some time off work to use the bloody thing

 

[Scout]

It’d be nice to have some time off work to use the bloody thing

just plug it back into the grid and make a few bob

 

[Lenny HB]

just plug it back into the grid and make a few bob

Don't give him silly ideas he would probably take the grid down.

 

[Al n Val]

Blummin Eck how many batteries does one need

I’ve no idea Ade

You’ve got 3 and I’ve got 2 so you tell me lol

We’ve been In Spain now for almost 3 months without ehu and more or less 90-100% everyday and wasting solar power everyday.

I’m taking advice from Roger n Nigel what I can do to make the most of what we have and having a chat with them at Malvern

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