Factory fit Sat dish & Solar Panels or dealer fit/ third party on a new Carthago?

[G1969]

Hi all,

As I have stated on a previous post, I am looking to order a new Cathago. My dilemma is do I spec it with factory fit sat dish ( telco twin lmb skew) at a cost of £2740 , and solar ( 2x 100w) panels at £1730.

Your opinions/experience/suggestions welcome

 

[monzer]

I definitely wouldn't bother with the sat dish. So much easier ways of television these days. As for the solar, it sounds a bit too expensive to me but would be handy getting the dealer to do it. Your decision really.

 

[Vansflyer]

Hi all,

As I have stated on a previous post, I am looking to order a new Cathago. My dilemma is do I spec it with factory fit sat dish ( telco twin lmb skew) at a cost of £2740 , and solar ( 2x 100w) panels at £1730.

Your opinions/experience/suggestions welcome

Carthago normally fit the oem dish at the back n/s of the roof, this makes adding solar later more tricky. The Teleco dish is a quality product (I used to sell and fit them) but I fitted a Maxview unit to ours as better vfm and easier to update imho. Teleco updates need a laptop connected to the control box where the Maxview uses a usb stock for the job. And... Maxview are in the UK so calling / emailing them for any/support or spares is much easier.
Solar wise oem isn't good vfm either and they use (or used) a very average controller fitted some distance from the leisure batteries so not ideal. However it is very worthwhile to pay for the solar pre wire option as aftermarket clunky wiring can be "fun" / expensive in time.
Four years ago we purchased a new C-Tourer and I did a deal with the dealer that I sourced the solar panels and controller and they fitted the panels and connected to the fitted solar pre wiring. That way they were responsible for the hole in the roof and not me and as dealer fitted didn't affect the water ingress gtee. It also worked out a lot cheaper for better kit, 2 x 150w panels either side of the rear skylight feeding a Victron regulator 30cm from the batteries.
Sat dish was added when we lost unlimited roaming on our van WiFi dongle post Brexit and is fitted behind the kitchen Maxfan / skylight. Dish is generally down in the daytime after listening to the morning news so the solar gets all the sun available.
I don't mind spending on good stuff but the oem fit equipment isn't great vfm imho.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

I definitely wouldn't bother with the sat dish. So much easier ways of television these days. As for the solar, it sounds a bit too expensive to me but would be handy getting the dealer to do it. Your decision really.

Your choice, but not what OP was asking!
In any case, it may depend where you anticipate going - given problems with relying on data sims (see thread on data sims and current issues with Tiekom outside Spain) satellite may be a better option through much of France? If it weren’t for the roaming issues, of course, I’d be inclined to agree.

 

[CazPaul]

Your choice, but not what OP was asking!
In any case, it may depend where you anticipate going - given problems with relying on data sims (see thread on data sims and current issues with Tiekom outside Spain) satellite may be a better option through much of France? If it weren’t for the roaming issues, of course, I’d be inclined to agree.

Eh, it sounded a good answer to me and exactly what the OP was asking opinions on?

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[eddie]

Satellite is dead, so a waste of money, and you are paying about twice the going rate for the solar

Also, be careful that your ‘factory’ fit is fitted at the factory, so often we’d see it where the factories exorbitant prices were quoted only for the dealer to do the work, and when caught out make a feeble excuse about “the factory messed up the order”

My advice has always been, order the van you like and research and cherry pick the best products from specialist installation companies, rather than factory fitted mediocrity

 

[eddie]

Your choice, but not what OP was asking!
In any case, it may depend where you anticipate going - given problems with relying on data sims (see thread on data sims and current issues with Tiekom outside Spain) satellite may be a better option through much of France? If it weren’t for the roaming issues, of course, I’d be inclined to agree.

You can buy a lot of data for £2800

Given that even Sky have finally given up fitting sate dishes, it’s doomed technology

On demand has killed it, and data will get exponentially better and better

 

[Solwaybuggier]

Eh, it sounded a good answer to me and exactly what the OP was asking opinions on?

No - OP was asking whether to get stuff factory fitted or by dealer.

Vansflyer’s answer dealt thoroughly with the original query.

 

[eddie]

No - OP was asking whether to get stuff factory fitted or by dealer.

Hi all,

As I have stated on a previous post, I am looking to order a new Cathago. My dilemma is do I spec it with factory fit sat dish ( telco twin lmb skew) at a cost of £2740 , and solar ( 2x 100w) panels at £1730.

Your opinions/experience/suggestions welcome

“Your opinions/experience/suggestions welcome “

 

[Steve and Denise]

Personally I would not bother with the satellite dish as they are very limited ie wind and trees,
As for solar I would go after market and get the whole thing wired correctly upon installation,
From my experience Carthargo only fit very basic cables and controller, I replaced all of mine with cable suitable for the job and a Victron controller near to the battery at much less cost.

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[donkey]

I would not let a dealer fit a light bulb. In my experience they don't have a clue about electrics.

Geoff

 

[TOAD on Tour]

Have to agree with the few that state not to bother with a sat dish. I would 100% look at alternative tech and your new van won’t look so ridiculous driving around with an extremely large dinner plate on the roof! just my 2 pennies worth! Oh and for those oh so serious funsters, please take it in the light hearted humour it was intended for

 

[funflair]

It was over 3 years ago now when we specced our van but even then I decided that satellite was dead in the water, if we had wanted it we might have been tempted to let the factory do it but I think the better option would be to get a UK based dealer fit it and then you have help with updates etc, with hindsight it might have been worth getting a decent Aerial on the roof for UK camping but other than that data works great.

We did go for the factory fitted solar yes it was expensive but they fitted the junction boxes underneath the panels so a very neat install that I would not have been able to replicate myself so went for it, it was factory fit though as in done at the factory.

 

[Lenny HB]

The sat dish price is not too bad but I wouldn't bother with it, nearly 3 grand buys a lot of data.
The solar is very expensive and I wouldn't let a dealer do it unless you have seen their work know exactly what components they are going to fit even down to the cables. Worsted ever solar fitting I've seen was by a Carthago dealer.
If not cabable of doing it yourself go to a specialist company.

 

[wiljoy]

After having serious safety issues with a factory fitted towbar on my Carthago I wouldn't let them do any extras. There prices are also crazy.

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[G1969]

Many thanks for all your comments. I had thought about a 5g data Ariel instead of the sat dish but concerned over the coverage. Over the next few years most of our motorhoming will be in the uk, with the odd tip abroad. We like going into the lakes/ forests generally “outdoors “ and I know that the 5 g coverage is increasing but do you think this would be an issue? I also appreciate that the sat dish has it’s limitations and may be old hat, but once up, it’s free.

Does anyone just use data in the uk, if so I would be interested in getting you views?

Ah yeah and on the solar, thanks again will probably go for third party fit, but get pre wired (comes part of the super pack) but would this invalidate the warranty?

 

[Solwaybuggier]

“Your opinions/experience/suggestions welcome “

Thread title:

Factory fit Sat dish & Solar Panels or dealer fit/ third party on a new Carthago?​

 

[eddie]

Thread title:

Factory fit Sat dish & Solar Panels or dealer fit/ third party on a new Carthago?​

This must annoy you then :-

Many thanks for all your comments. I had thought about a 5g data Ariel instead of the sat dish

Apparently the comments were helpful, despite you!

Forums are all about discussing different ideas and approaches, if the OP knew all the answers he would ask, and telling people off for helping, isn’t very helpful

 

[Orion]

Many thanks for all your comments. I had thought about a 5g data Ariel instead of the sat dish but concerned over the coverage.

4G has not been overtaken by 5G in many rural areas, and will remain viable for some time in the areas you may visit. A 5G Ready setup would be handy but not totally required.

Does anyone just use data in the uk, if so I would be interested in getting you views?

Yes, there are several threads running on the subject of ‘Motorhome Wi-Fi’ etc., if you do a forum search. I had the dealer fit my Poynting MIMO-3-17 antenna on the roof to a location I specified, (and a couple of other items where the fabric of the vehicle was drilled through), so that warranty wouldn’t be an issue down the line. The Teltonika RUTX12 router and everything else internally I installed myself.

Ah yeah and on the solar, thanks again will probably go for third party fit, but get pre wired (comes part of the super pack) but would this invalidate the warranty?

Good idea to get the pre-wiring installed, although I’d want a detailed description of what it comprises and where the wiring is to be routed. The single 115w panel that was factory fitted to our MoHo is a well recognised brand and installed correctly, but the cable entry was a bodge and caused me some grief when adding additional units.

EDIT to add: The reason I went for the Teltonika RUTX12 is its dual SIM capability, (other models also have it), which makes it easy to swap SIMS around according to coverage - cheapo non-contract ones in the U.K. or one-off purchases while abroad.

 

[125BEER]

You could look at Starlink for your concerns over coverage but a good sim router and go for streaming.With the expected roll out of 5g it becomes a more economical option.

Cheers

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[TOAD on Tour]

Many thanks for all your comments. I had thought about a 5g data Ariel instead of the sat dish but concerned over the coverage. Over the next few years most of our motorhoming will be in the uk, with the odd tip abroad. We like going into the lakes/ forests generally “outdoors “ and I know that the 5 g coverage is increasing but do you think this would be an issue? I also appreciate that the sat dish has it’s limitations and may be old hat, but once up, it’s free.

Does anyone just use data in the uk, if so I would be interested in getting you views?

Ah yeah and on the solar, thanks again will probably go for third party fit, but get pre wired (comes part of the super pack) but would this invalidate the warranty?

We only have a 4g WiFi aerial thingy on our roof and it streams sky sports etc. absolutely fine. We have a EE 160GB monthly contract for £14 and works a treat. As a back up we also have a Vodafone unlimited data sim that my wife’s work provides and we take that along in case the EE signal is not so good.

 

[jongood]

We ve taken our dish off, but then we're more often outside the footprint than inside and even watch most of home tv as catch up. 4g with an outside ariel works fine for us and £2700 buys a lot of data.

The onlycway I think satelite wins these days is if you re either a massive soaps fan or love scotland.

 

[funflair]

Many thanks for all your comments. I had thought about a 5g data Ariel instead of the sat dish but concerned over the coverage. Over the next few years most of our motorhoming will be in the uk, with the odd tip abroad. We like going into the lakes/ forests generally “outdoors “ and I know that the 5 g coverage is increasing but do you think this would be an issue? I also appreciate that the sat dish has it’s limitations and may be old hat, but once up, it’s free.

Does anyone just use data in the uk, if so I would be interested in getting you views?

Ah yeah and on the solar, thanks again will probably go for third party fit, but get pre wired (comes part of the super pack) but would this invalidate the warranty?

We have a small aerial inside the van but I think it only does one wave polarisation (or whatever the correct term is) and in Ambleside it is not working at all so we have been using data to watch from catch up which has worked well (Avtex smart TV) but uses just under 1gb per hour, it might come down to what sort of stuff you want on the TV but we just watch normal terrestrial channels which we can get from the aerial usually, even if aerial signal is poor the "freeview" catch up using data works better as you get a a guide that you can go back on to invoke the catch up services, would I want to be 100% data reliant NO is it good when there is no aerial reception YES.

 

[Orion]

If using data for your entertainment needs it’s also worth considering getting a Firestick or similar. Many standard domestic TVs are also suitable for mobile use as they run on 19vDC even though they come with a 240vAC PSU to plug in at home. An inexpensive 12v to 19v laptop power unit that plugs into a standard ciggie socket will power both without issue. We have a 22” LG Smart TV/Monitor bought during and Argos sale and with a small internally boosted antenna plus the Firestick it’s perfect for our requirements.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

This must annoy you then :-



Apparently the comments were helpful, despite you!

Forums are all about discussing different ideas and approaches, if the OP knew all the answers he would ask, and telling people off for helping, isn’t very helpful

Not in the least! Simply making the point that the OP clearly said in thread title they were looking for advice on factory fit, dealer fit or third party fit. Surprised no one has said “I wouldn’t get a Carthago if I were you “!

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[jongood]

If using data for your entertainment needs it’s also worth considering getting a Firestick or similar. Many standard domestic TVs are also suitable for mobile use as they run on 19vDC even though they come with a 240vAC PSU to plug in at home. An inexpensive 12v to 19v laptop power unit that plugs into a standard ciggie socket will power both without issue. We have a 22” LG Smart TV/Monitor bought during and Argos sale and with a small internally boosted antenna plus the Firestick it’s perfect for our requirements.

For those that have a 12v tv Amazon do a device that stabilise the voltage to help firestick work of the Usb port of the TV

 

[camoyboy]

The factory fitted solar, apart from being very expensive, is not the best. The regulator is mounted well away from the batteries and is run through the onboard CBE system. This does allow for a trickle charge for the cab battery, but only after the leisure batteries are full. You would be much better off getting the solar fitted by an independent specialist. Also the factory fit sat dish is fitted to the nearside rear, which takes up valuable solar panel space. Again if you decide to have a dish then find a specialist fitter who could plan out the roof to make the best use of the space available. They all come pre wired for solar and satellite so that is a saving on the labour costs.

 

[G1969]

Great feedback and advice- thanks all.

Although we have been Motorhoming/ caravaning for 18 years, I am sure I will have other questions. The upgrade of our current MH is a massive uplift in cost and just want to make my hard earned money is spent Wisely

 

[Steve and Denise]

We had a Motorhome 4g aerial fitted on the roof of our last van but in most places we went our phone’s out performed the roof mounted aerial for speeds on data

 

[Lenny HB]

We had a Motorhome 4g aerial fitted on the roof of our last van but in most places we went our phone’s out performed the roof mounted aerial for speeds on data

Probably more down to the mifi, Most masts transmit on more than one band the phone has probably picked up one band and the mifi another. On cheap mifi's you can't change the band.

I have found the opposite the mifi with MIMO aerial always outperforms the phones, often been in areas with no phone signal at all but been able to get a 3g via the mifi.

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