Carthago continuously on EHU or not? (1 Viewer)

Dec 23, 2014
2,169
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South Somerset
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34,546
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Carthago C-Line I 50
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Since 2009
The van is fitted with a CBE 516 charger, two 85 amp AGM leisure batteries and of course the vehicle battery. With previous vans I have always left it plugged in and charging when it is "resting" on our drive. They all had Sargent power supplies and no harm came to the batteries but with this CBE I can't decide whether to do the same as the instructions are not clear to me.
 
Feb 18, 2009
573
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Guisborough North Yorkshi
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5,677
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Malibu T410
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Since August 2008
Hi Dorset Driver
We have the CBE panel on our van and leave it plugged in all the time - if you are on a site you would have it plugged in all the time aswell?
 
OP
OP
Dorset Diver
Dec 23, 2014
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@SteveandSue. Thanks for your reply. I agree with your logic and have been leaving it plugged up I just don't want to damage the batteries.

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jonandshell

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Dec 12, 2010
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The CBE charger will maintain your batteries perfectly.
However, it might be worth disconnecting the EHU lead and taking off the front cover of the charger.
Inside is a Gel/PB switch. It needs to be switched to gel to best suit your batteries.
 
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Robert Clark

Deleted User
I've got a Carthago Chic and would be happy to leave on EHU permanently. We don't need to as we have solar panels

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OP
OP
Dorset Diver
Dec 23, 2014
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We also have a 140w SP but I like to leave the heating set to 5C to prevent freezing which means leaving the EHU connected.
 
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Robert Clark

Deleted User
We also have a 140w SP but I like to leave the heating set to 5C to prevent freezing which means leaving the EHU connected.
I drain ours down between trips in the winter - and refill just before we go away, with the heating on 20, so everything is toasty before we head off.
Different strokes for different folks I guess
 

Judge Mental

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Sep 2, 2009
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I drain ours down between trips in the winter - and refill just before we go away, with the heating on 20, so everything is toasty before we head off.
Different strokes for different folks I guess
Really? Have never left heating on in a van in 25 years......

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Techno

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The CBE charger will maintain your batteries perfectly.
However, it might be worth disconnecting the EHU lead and taking off the front cover of the charger.
Inside is a Gel/PB switch. It needs to be switched to gel to best suit your batteries.
(y) page 2 English page 5
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Dorset Diver
Dec 23, 2014
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Carthago C-Line I 50
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In Somerset it is quite unusual for the temperature to drop very low so the frost setting rare kicks in. As for heating the van prior to arrival at site we have an engine heat exchanger that works well.

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Lenny HB

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Oct 18, 2007
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Slightly OT you have AGM batteries but you charger is not suitable for AGM, if you rely on your batteries you would be wise to change them for either wet cell batteries or gel's. I speak from experience having recently had a pair of AGM's fail after 18 months.
Might be worth contacting CBE to see if there is a mod available for the charger.
 
OP
OP
Dorset Diver
Dec 23, 2014
2,169
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South Somerset
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Carthago C-Line I 50
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Since 2009
Slightly OT you have AGM batteries but you charger is not suitable for AGM, if you rely on your batteries you would be wise to change them for either wet cell batteries or gel's. I speak from experience having recently had a pair of AGM's fail after 18 months.
Might be worth contacting CBE to see if there is a mod available for the charger.
Lenny, was it established without doubt that it was your charger that caused your AGM's to fail? I ask as it seems strange that Carthago would put them in as original equipment if the charger was not suitable.
 

Techno

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All the information on the WWW says to treat AGM's as sealed lead acid or maintenance free as the required charging voltages are pretty much alike.
https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/charging-articles/how-do-i-pick-a-battery-charger.html

Flooded:

This is the traditional engine start, tractor and deep cycle style battery. The liquid electrolyte is free to move in the cell compartment. The user has access to the individual cells and can add distilled water as the battery dries out. Popular uses are engine starting and deep cycle designs.

Typical absorption voltage range 14.4 to 14.9 volts, typical float voltage range 13.1 to 13.4 volts.

- See more at: https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/art...k-a-battery-charger.html#sthash.alJcch3R.dpuf

AGM:

The Absorbed Glass Matt construction allows the electrolyte to be suspended in close proximity with the plates active material. In theory, this enhances both the discharge and recharge efficiency. Actually, the AGM batteries are a variant of Sealed VRLA batteries, just a more advanced design. Popular usage includes high performance engine starting, power sports, deep cycle, solar and storage battery.

Typical absorption voltage range 14.4 to 15.0 volts, typical float voltage range 13.2 to 13.8 volts.

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Lenny HB

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Oct 18, 2007
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Lenny, was it established without doubt that it was your charger that caused your AGM's to fail? I ask as it seems strange that Carthago would put them in as original equipment if the charger was not suitable.
Most German manufacturers have been doing it for a few years, if you look on the German forums loads of posts of Banner & Varta AGM's failing due to incorrect charging. Hymer have been fitting AGM's since around 2012 and have only just started to fit a suitable charger.
IMO AGM's are a waste of time in a Motorhome, when I got my new van the AGM's didn't appear to perform very well. I have now replaced them with Gel's the difference in performance was very noticeable.
 

awg

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I park our Carthago I149 at a local farm with all water drained and power switched off at the panel. I bring it home very 6 weeks for an overnight on EHU before taking it back to the farm. Stopped using it in early December and planning to start again next weekend so I only brought it home twice over the winter.
 

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