Modding the Hymer ML-t 580 4x4

I haven’t noticed any problems with Xtura’s SB but the mercedes UX does stay on even the wipers stay on for a long time after the engine has stopped.

The only way I’ve found to turn the system off properly is to lock and unlock the whole thing. Is there a better way? The off button below the screen is slightly more faff than that :-)
 
Hettie's Crew said:
Not Hymer but do you put the MBUX into standby or Off to save the starter battery. I’m new to this Mercedes thing having had a Fiat Ducato for 11 years but I’ve discovered the MBUX uses power when parked up and together with my alarm/tracker can soon discharge the vehicle battery. My 2025 only has Off as an option but earlier ones have Standby.
Click to expand...
Strangely, my Sep25 CO doesnt have a Standby Option but I know of another CO built similar time does. I presumed the Off option just shutdown the MBUX in same way as turning off the ignition and locking the van?
 
amountainhigh said:
Strangely, my Sep25 CO doesnt have a Standby Option but I know of another CO built similar time does. I presumed the Off option just shutdown the MBUX in same way as turning off the ignition and locking the van?
Click to expand...
I’ve been choosing the System Off option and noticed a positive difference in battery depletion. When I start up next time I have to press the Home button on the steering wheel to restart the system. I’ve only done it twice so far but the battery has appeared to benefit.
I have Lithium leisure battery with Solar, Moving Intelligence alarm/tracker and I’ve connected in a Battery Master at the B2B.
The MI alarm tracker shows the battery state on the app, so I was initially sat at home watching it go down, the battery master improved it, then turning off the MBUX improved it further.
 
layne said:
Hi Abgs. For installation of the Battery Master, is there a +ve connection for the starter battery in the side locker where the leisure/smart batteries are? Or do you have to run a wire to the starter battery at the front?
Click to expand...
The Battery Master is wired to the B2B as you have access to Starter Battery + and Habitation Battery +, see Orange arrow.

And for a recap ...
  1. Schaudt WA121545 B2B 70 Amp
  2. Schaudt LAS 1218 BUS Mains Battery Charger 20 Amp
  3. Schaudt LAS 1218 BUS Mains Battery Charger 20 Amp
  4. Schaudt LAS 1218 BUS Mains Battery Charger 20 Amp
  5. Victron MPPT - 2 x 100 Watt Roof Panels
  6. Victron MPPT - 150 Watt Roof Panel
  7. Vctron MPPT - 200 Watt Plug in Flexi Solar Panel
  8. Bus Bar and master / main 12v fuses.
  9. BOS battery S Lithium Battery 80 Amp
  10. BOS battery S Lithium Battery 80 Amp
  11. BOS battery S Lithium Battery 80 Amp
  12. BOS battery S Lithium Battery 80 Amp
Screenshot 2026-01-26 at 19.34.10.webp
 
Abgs said:
The Battery Master is wired to the B2B as you have access to Starter Battery + and Habitation Battery +, see Orange arrow.

And for a recap ...
  1. Schaudt WA121545 B2B 70 Amp
  2. Schaudt LAS 1218 BUS Mains Battery Charger 20 Amp
  3. Schaudt LAS 1218 BUS Mains Battery Charger 20 Amp
  4. Schaudt LAS 1218 BUS Mains Battery Charger 20 Amp
  5. Victron MPPT - 2 x 100 Watt Roof Panels
  6. Victron MPPT - 150 Watt Roof Panel
  7. Vctron MPPT - 200 Watt Plug in Flexi Solar Panel
  8. Bus Bar and master / main 12v fuses.
  9. BOS battery S Lithium Battery 80 Amp
  10. BOS battery S Lithium Battery 80 Amp
  11. BOS battery S Lithium Battery 80 Amp
  12. BOS battery S Lithium Battery 80 Amp
View attachment 1170309
Click to expand...
Excellent. Thanks. Looks a bit different on the crossover but in the same place 👍🏻



IMG_9465.webp
 
Hettie's Crew said:
I’ve been choosing the System Off option and noticed a positive difference in battery depletion. When I start up next time I have to press the Home button on the steering wheel to restart the system. I’ve only done it twice so far but the battery has appeared to benefit.
I have Lithium leisure battery with Solar, Moving Intelligence alarm/tracker and I’ve connected in a Battery Master at the B2B.
The MI alarm tracker shows the battery state on the app, so I was initially sat at home watching it go down, the battery master improved it, then turning off the MBUX improved it further.
Click to expand...
Interesting, I’ll give it a go and see if I notice any difference.
 
layne said:
Excellent. Thanks. Looks a bit different on the crossover but in the same place 👍🏻



View attachment 1170470
Click to expand...
Looks like I’ll end up fitting a Battery Master or similar too. Did I see a post suggesting that the battery connection at the B2B is disconnected when the engine is off?

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Think I found them on their website, Koni?
I'll know everything needed when I get it up on the ramp at home
Ive booked into Mercedes in Agadir for a couple of weeks time for a 20k service and I'll ask them to have a quick look underneath, theres definitely something worn out, maybe track rod ends or ball joints or something as the whole dashboard rattles now on rough surface roads but is silent on tarmac... but its been through the mill on this trip but now i know what needs upgraded to make it proper 😊
 
I think it would be these. I did consider them but the German ones seemed to be more suited to the actual weight of the MLt.

www.4x4works.co.uk

Koni Active and Special Dampers Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Series 3 W907 2WD 4WD AWD 2018-on Self Adjusting and User Adjustable Shock Absorbers Front Rear Pair Set of 4 3.5 5.0 Tonne - 4x4 Works

Heavy duty ride adjustable shocks for ultimate durable performance for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Fully adjustable 4WD, van and motorhome design. Buy now in the UK from 4x4 Works.
www.4x4works.co.uk www.4x4works.co.uk
 
Abgs said:
I think it would be these. I did consider them but the German ones seemed to be more suited to the actual weight of the MLt.

www.4x4works.co.uk

Koni Active and Special Dampers Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Series 3 W907 2WD 4WD AWD 2018-on Self Adjusting and User Adjustable Shock Absorbers Front Rear Pair Set of 4 3.5 5.0 Tonne - 4x4 Works

Heavy duty ride adjustable shocks for ultimate durable performance for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Fully adjustable 4WD, van and motorhome design. Buy now in the UK from 4x4 Works.
www.4x4works.co.uk www.4x4works.co.uk
Click to expand...
Thanks Paul
Yes when you go into that link and input your vehicle specs it brings them up over a grand £ so the tailored to suit Marquart ones might be a better choice as I think they quoted me around a grand or €1200 i can't remember 🙃
 
CaptainPaul said:
Think I found them on their website, Koni?
I'll know everything needed when I get it up on the ramp at home
Ive booked into Mercedes in Agadir for a couple of weeks time for a 20k service and I'll ask them to have a quick look underneath, theres definitely something worn out, maybe track rod ends or ball joints or something as the whole dashboard rattles now on rough surface roads but is silent on tarmac... but its been through the mill on this trip but now i know what needs upgraded to make it proper 😊
Click to expand...


You dropping those tyre pressures when leaving the tarmac?

Can make a massive difference at sucking up rough stuff. It’s the first point of contact.

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Landy Andy said:
You dropping those tyre pressures when leaving the tarmac?

Can make a massive difference at sucking up rough stuff. It’s the first point of contact.
Click to expand...
Dropping them for the sand but normal on the tarmac, trouble is you have 30km of lovely tarmac then 30km of crazy potholes, cracked surfaces and corrugation all on the same road! 🤣
think that's why Barchetta47 had to abandon it, these roads are serious on normal vehicles
 
CaptainPaul said:
Dropping them for the sand but normal on the tarmac, trouble is you have 30km of lovely tarmac then 30km of crazy potholes, cracked surfaces and corrugation all on the same road! 🤣
Click to expand...
Yes can be like that, but you won’t need UK/EU pressure even on the tarmac there so running them constantly a percentage down all the time over there would be my advice. Especially if you are running something like BFGs.
 
John and Jo said:
I wouldn't trust that towing eye to pull me out.
Click to expand...
Me neither John, hes well bogged in there
Ive ordered a wee front winch same as this which might come in handy, it'll be there for me getting home, give me something to do after ive got all my scratches & dinks sorted out 😁
48788.webp
 
amountainhigh said:
How are people finding the starter battery holds its charge (570 Crossover)? After a week at home it drops to 12.2V. Some experimentation suggest that the Hymer/Votronic solar regulator, whilst having an output to the starter battery via the EBL, seemingly ONLY pushes any output to the SB IF the leisure batteries are charged to 100%, which in practice in winter and parked-up is never! Is my experience typical? Are people fitting a Battery Master or similar to overflow some charge from leisure to SB? I’ve hooked some external panels via a separate Victron regulator when at home that is connected to the leisure batteries, but thinking of adding a switch so that I can direct the solar charge current to the SB when I need a top-up.
Click to expand...
There was a thread about this the other day . It appears that in the handbook Merc states if the vehicle is being parked up 'for an extended period' =,over two days , then the panel needs to be turned off in the settings. Otherwise battery will be flat within three days
 
On the battery subject, my mlt 580 was not factory ordered. It was well spaced other than power which has a single battery and charger. Looking at space available to minimise cable runs there are plenty of options to fill the space with larger single or double lithium batteries from a third party e.g Fogstar, victron etc and remove the bos s (smart battery 2 li) has anyone done this? Increase capacity reduce the price of installing extra modules and chargers. Positive and negative terminals are easy and common. Possibly a different charger I’m just not sure about the data cable? Has anyone else done this or looked into. We have had problems with bos battery and dealer has replaced several times we are now on our 4th!!!! so not keen on buying. more.
 
CaptainPaul said:
Me neither John, hes well bogged in there
Ive ordered a wee front winch same as this which might come in handy, it'll be there for me getting home, give me something to do after ive got all my scratches & dinks sorted out 😁View attachment 1170868
Click to expand...
Front winches are normally best for pulling out others.
Usually the best way to extract a vehicle is the reverse of the way it went in.
Which means most extractions can be done easiest rear tow ball to rear tow ball and a decent quality off road tow strap.

I had a winch on the my ex Lombard RAC Rally Landrover which I owned for nearly 15 years.
I only used it once in an emergency, and that was on the A303 one Christmas Eve when the Police asked me to pull a car out of a ditch so they could reopen the road as a tow truck was at least an hour away.
 
Oh I'll find a use for it somehow, 🤣 ive used everything else on the van on this trip some of which I didn't think I'd ever use in anger but I have including my Hymer shovel, axe, mallet & branch cutting kit, as well as my snorkel, light bar, tow bar & the rear roof ladder all have been used at some stage on this trip plus most importantly front winches are sexy 😉 🤣
 

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