Lenny's Modding the new Mini Gin Palace 2

[Lenny HB]

So Lenny HB when you tire of this one in 2 or 3 years and you've soaked up all the depreciation put me down for first refusal rather than chopping it in with a dealer.
In the meantime enjoy your electrical tinkering and make the most of your new toy. Have fun!

At our age it will probably be our last one, hopefully we will still be Motorhoming in our 80's.

 

[Lenny HB]

Why do you say that? I ask because those are what I have fitted, being a newbie I have not had the time yet to know if they're good or bad. For now they seem fine.

Terrible rock hard ride, poor grip.

 

[Lenny HB]

I think it looks rubbish.

​

At least it has a decent engine and gearbox.
The 2.2 is a lot smoother than the old 2.3 & the 9 speed is a dream. Done nearly 800 miles only noticed it change gear twice.

 

[Lenny HB]

Are you still for Hymer guru. Or have you changed sides.

Not interested in those old bangers now.

 

[Lenny HB]

I think the phrase used in another set of circumstances was

Total OTT

Why?
A seperate inverter, charger & change over switching would have only cost about £150 less and I have a nice 120 amp charger instead of a 30 amp one and the wiring is a lot simpler.

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[Lenny HB]

Am sure you will get used to the steering wheel being on the correct side of the vehicle though. It means that as senility starts to creep in you won't be overly confused when transitioning from car to van and back again

But I do 8000-10,000 miles over the water about 1000 in the UK and the car only does 1000.
With our narrow roads with overgrown hedgerows LHD is much easier in the UK.

 

[Lenny HB]

Our Hymer came out of the factory wired and equipped with a B2B and EHU charger which will do all that we want in a motorhome. You can't get simpler than that. Just needed that heavy AGM swapped out for lithium. Added a 300 watt inverter for the laptop and we were on our way.

Which B2B & EBL has it got?

 

[Lenny HB]

Hymer factory fitted Schaudt 121545 - I have it set for Lithium at 45amp.

Hymer factory fitted Schaudt EBL 30 - I have it set for GEL. It gives 16 amp, which is plenty overnight. (say 4pm to 9am)

The Schaudt B2B on Lithium setting gives out a constant 14.2v and doesn't shut of when the battery is charged, that why I'm not using the one that came with my van and fitting a Victron.

The EBL on Gel has an absorbtion time of 16 hours should only be an hour max for Lithium again I wouldn't use that with Lithium.

 

[Lenny HB]

I now have a Schaudt EBL 262-4. Do you know what the absorption time is for the lead acid setting? On my previous CBE set up I found the lead acid setting more suitable for Li than gel, similar voltage but much shorter absorption time.

Doesn't give it in the manual but the float voltage of 13.8v is too high for Lithium.
You could ask Udo he normally replies in an hour or two.

 

[Lenny HB]

On our Super B batteries they say that 13.8v is the typical float voltage with a max of 13.9v and a minimum of 13.6v, so far I have followed their instructions but always open to learning.

Recommendations do vary but most say 13.5v to 13.6v, better to be too low than too high.

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[Lenny HB]

Our Compactline is essentially the same as a van. 6.4m long 2.1 wide. Same as Lenny's except transverse bed and superior leather upholstery. Very comfortable lounge and massive garage. We have a 138 as opposed to the 141.

It's a tiny garage on the 138.

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny is your new Carthago Compactline on a 3.5t chassis if so what is the payload please.

Unfortunaly yes, payload over MIRO is 565kg with factory fitted extras 390kg.
No way can it be run at 3500kg.
Want to fit full air but may just fit semi air on rear, once that's done should be able to uprate to 4200kg.

 

[Lenny HB]

Both VWE and SV Tech told me the maximum they could get me on my Compactline 143, is 4000kg with rear air.

The new Ducato light chassis when specced with the 180 engine and 9 speed box comes with maxi chassis 16" wheels and brakes so can go to 4200kg.

Depends on the front springs my van is currently 2000kg on the rear and 1960kg on the front.
So with rear air taking it to 2240 I could go to 4200, with full air could go higher but would only gain on the front so no point with the rear at 2240 max.

 

[Lenny HB]

Batteries and switch panel now installed, just need to make a panel to separate it from the load area.

 

[Lenny HB]

Multiplus up and running, a bit of tidying up to do & still need to wire the new B2B & fit the solar panels.

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[Lenny HB]

Hi Lenny nice van, I’m interested to see what other mod’s you have planned. Can I asked what settings you will be using on the Ablemail battery maintainer

Not bought it yet debating to get one as if I leave the Multiplus with 12v power on it charges the starter battery. But I prefer to isolate the Multiplus when not using the van.

If I get one their standard Lithium setting should work OK where we are but in Scotland you would probably need the higher gharge rate.

 

[Lenny HB]

The solar fitted and working 350 watts (2 x 175w) to start with. I can get another 2 x 100w panels one either side of the rear rooflight if needed.

 

[Lenny HB]

Tidied up the electrics a bit, not finished yet still got the new B2B to install.
Fitted a rail so I can store table & chairs upright.

 

[Lenny HB]

This evening carpeted the floor and back wall of the garage & fitted a cargo rail on the top of back wall.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thought you might have carpeted the wall before you mounted the electrics?

Don't want electrics mounted on carpet.

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[Lenny HB]

That’s what they do in all the high end carthagos

I've had enough of Carthago dodgy electrics to last a lifetime.
Their body construction may be top notch but their electrics are crap.

 

[Lenny HB]

Would also pop a bit of silicone spray on the front "chrome" if you can. Overall though its been pretty good.

Had problems with the chrome on Hymers it's OK if you keep it waxed.

 

[Lenny HB]

Smoke and CO alarms fitted.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not being funny but shouldn't they have been included?

4th new van we have had never had them in any of them. Don't think I've seen any new vans with them in.

 

[Lenny HB]

Our humble 2021 Autotrail came new with both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors fitted. Plus a fire extinguisher. I thought it was a legal requirement / industry standard?

I never look in Brit built vans, only ever had German.

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[Lenny HB]

Weighed the van today, whoops only 300kg over.
As we were going to the Lynton Top meet decided to load the van as if it was a 6 week trip. So it was pretty much fully loaded, didn't have the washing machine or paddleboard but had a battery I was delivering & that was heavier. A lot more food on board than normal as daughter & grandkids joining us (in their tent). Full tank of water (150 Lt) about 90% fuel.

Front axle 1580kg
Rear axle 2220kg
Total 3800kg

 

[Lenny HB]

What's the load rating for your read tyres ?

116, 1250kg.

 

[Lenny HB]

but it is LHD!

Lucky you my LHD got cancelled ended up with a poxy RHD.

 

[Lenny HB]

What make/model are your 175 panels please Lenny as they look a good useful size.....?

Victron got them from RogerIvy (OffGrid) a good price with Funster discount.

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[Lenny HB]

1st night using the Lithium set up, used 108ah!!!

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