Lithium in a Carthago

Pappy

Pappy

Joined
Dec 7, 2017
Posts
391
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Location
Sherwood Forest, Notts
Funster No
51,592
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 2017. Before had caravan, folding camper and various tents.
When I purchased my Carthago Compactline from Travelworld I upgraded to a Lithium battery. When not on hookup this switches off randomly. Travelworld are now telling me that lithium batteries are not compatible with Carthago and I will have to go back to an AGM battery. Comments appreciated.
 
No problems with the factory fit lithium batteries on my Hymer, in fact It’s one of its best features and would want the same if I change it, don’t see why Carthage should be any different
 
If your MPPT controller and on board charger is set at 13.4 it should be compatible with your Lithium battery.
 
Pappy said:
When I purchased my Carthago Compactline from Travelworld I upgraded to a Lithium battery. When not on hookup this switches off randomly. Travelworld are now telling me that lithium batteries are not compatible with Carthago and I will have to go back to an AGM battery. Comments appreciated.
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Doubrette has a Cathargo and installed a Lithium Battery from KS Energy after a Funster recommendation. Mark showed me his installation, which had functioned problem free, so I followed suit [being a technical numpty I drove to KS Energy for the installation], so TW might be straying into the area of a terminological inexactitude ...

Steve

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Carthago's come with Gel Batteries not AGM, they are much better in terms of depth of discharge and longevity.

With a bit of savvy, there is no reason why a Carthago or any other MH should not be able to use Lithium Batteries.
Once the correct charging regime is either set up, or an appropriate charger is installed in the van for Lithiums.
Lithium's need a heavy charge of 14.2/14.6 volts and as much current as can be chucked into them, but they do not like being float charged from what I have read. The Lithium Battery is controlled by a BMS, this can be built into the battery in some cases, its this device that switches off the battery to protect it from over discharge, or over charge.

I dont understand why your battery was switching off, this would indicate that the lithium was drained down to its max of near 10% Depth of Discharge, where was the van being stored?, was it stored on mains EHU?, if not are there any solar panels keeping it topped up?, Provided you store the van with a means of keeping the Lithium charged up you shouldn't have any problems, but that's true of all battery types, they all need to be maintained, especially in the cold months.

I think TW are just not interested in offering any help at this time, well they will have to clue up soon, as more and more 2022 and beyond vans will come with lithium batteries, and will need setting up & monitoring in the correct way.
Others will follow up with more advice on this, I am sure, especially those who have built & installed their own Lithium based systems.
Best Wishes.
LES
 
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Pappy said:
When I purchased my Carthago Compactline from Travelworld I upgraded to a Lithium battery. When not on hookup this switches off randomly. Travelworld are now telling me that lithium batteries are not compatible with Carthago and I will have to go back to an AGM battery. Comments appreciated.
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We’ve done loads
 
Was it delivered with the Lithium battery and did you pay extra for it? Or did you upgrade yourself?
If the former time to tell them to get thier arse into gear and sort it. A little chat with trading standards may be on the cards.
If the second then a number of questions
What electical system parts have you eg EBL or CBE Smart Alternator and B2B. As much info as you can give including are there Lithium profiles or switches. this may be in manuals somewhere.
There are others here i'm sure who can help with the right details.
 
Fitted a KS Energy lithium in mine. Just a drop-in. Leave the charger on the lithium setting if you are using it. I've turned mine off and just use the Solar to charge it, plus alternator when on the road. Ordered a second battery this morning to cope with OH's insatiable demands!!
 
I have 200A/h of Lithium retro - fitted to a 2016 Burstner which was originally supplied with a 90amp Lead Aciid battery, absolutely no problems whatsoever. I believe the Shaulter electric 'Control System' is common to both makes of vehicle.

I would get the the 'installation' checked by an independent electrician, dare I saymore qualified, before following the Dealers advice.

Robert
 
I fitted 2 Sterling 100amp lithiums in mine, a B2B charger, 220 watts of PV and have had no problems. You should have a CBE system and they should have snipped resistor R37. I also have the mains charger turned off permanently,
 
Pappy said:
They are refunding the cost of the lithium, over £1k, and installing a varta 95Ah AMG battery free of charge.
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Why? Carthago have never used AGM. About the worst possible battery for leisure use.
Do you get to keep the Lithium?
If not tell them to get stuffed.

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Pappy said:
When I purchased my Carthago Compactline from Travelworld I upgraded to a Lithium battery. When not on hookup this switches off randomly. Travelworld are now telling me that lithium batteries are not compatible with Carthago and I will have to go back to an AGM battery. Comments appreciated.
Click to expand...
Strange that Carthago offer lithium as an option on new vans.
We have had an upgrade to lithium and it all works fine…..as have many other Carthago owners.

Richard
 
Lenny HB said:
Why? Carthago have never used AGM. About the worst possible battery for leisure use.
Do you get to keep the Lithium?
If not tell them to get stuffed.
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I'm losing the will to live on this! Is an AGM battery that bad? What do I lose by not having Gel? I apologise for my ignorance.
 
Pappy said:
Is an AGM battery that bad?
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Yes.

Pappy said:
What do I lose by not having Gel?
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A battery that works.

I really don't understand why they would want to fit an AGM Carthago standard fit has always and still is Gel.

They are just fobbing you off, don't accept it, get them to sort out the Lithium.
 
Lenny HB said:
Yes.


A battery that works.

I really don't understand why they would want to fit an AGM Carthago standard fit has always and still is Gel.

They are just fobbing you off, don't accept it, get them to sort out the Lithium.
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It may be because they don't sell Gel batteries in their shop, just AGM and Lithium.
 
Get them to put a gel in as that's what it would have had from Carthago. Once it's all sorted go to someone who knows what they are doing and get a lithium put in and the flog the gel.
 
Pappy said:
I'm losing the will to live on this! Is an AGM battery that bad? What do I lose by not having Gel? I apologise for my ignorance.
Click to expand...
Let's put it this way, I'd much rather have the Lithium retained and working as it should. I certainly wouldn't want an AGM in it's place, but if I couldn't have the Lithium, Gel preferably, or quality Lead Acid LFD/EFD would be my next choice.

Providing there is a means to correctly charge the Lithium, I can't see why it can't remain.

I am inclined to agree with Just smiffy, with his post above........................cos I am a right cynical so and so when it comes to dealers...............especially TW and Broonfools. :(

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 

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