An Eco Pack also will be fitted as standard from September 2019, which as well as adding stop-start technology to the 120hp and 140hp engines (the 160hp and 180hp models already feature this as standard) includes an intelligent alternator and electronically controlled fuel pump to reduce fuel consumption.
I’m assuming that you are aware that the implication of this technology is that, when the vehicle is a motorhome with a leisure-battery, the ‘intelligent alternator’ will fail to charge the leisure-battery adequately when the motorhome is being driven unless something is done to permit this to happen - and the technical approach normally chosen is to fit a battery-to-battery charger (B2B).
It seems probable that, as Adria were/are fitting a B2B to their motorhome models that have automatic transmission, Adria would be doing the same with manual transmission models that now have the Eco Pack as standard.
Have you asked the vendor about this? I notice that the price-list at the end of the 2020 Adria motorhome brochure mentioned the Eco Pack and a “DC converter” (ie. a B2B) in relation to the 160bhp amd 180bhp motors, so the 2021 price-list (which an Adria dealer should have access to) MIGHT provide similar information for the other powerplants.
There has been a good deal of discussion about lithium batteries on this and other motorhome forums.
Location: MODERATOR - 2015 Rapido 640F LHD 2.3ltr 150bhp
The Schaudt WA 121525 “Booster” seems to be a popular choice for motorhome manufacturers when the base-vehicle has a smart alternator (and for retro-fitting by DIYers). Elddis refer to the Booster in Section 8.2 of their 2021 Autoquest manual
It should be stating the obvious, but even if Adria are now fitting a B2B/booster (whatever!) to all their Fiat Ducato-based models irrespective of the model’s powerplant bhp and transmission type, it needs to be asked whether or not the specification of these motorhomes is ‘lithium ready’.
Since the 2019 model-year the standard specification of the more upmarket Rapido motorhomes has included pre-wiring for one or a pair of SUPER B lithium leisure-batteries, whereas the cheaper models’ standard specification included a single wet-acid deep-cycle leisure-battery with a 2nd battery of that type as an option. I don’t know what Rapido’s stance would be if a lithium leisure-battery were retro-fitted to one of the cheaper models and there were consequential problems within the Rapido’s warranty period, but it would be sensible to keep the potential ‘warranty effect’ in mind when making any sort of significant changes to the original specification of a brand-new motorhome.
Agree with you about getting setting correct and warranty issues. If I know the exact setup then there maybe a setting to change to Lithium. All Victron controllers I have installed have been easy to change via Bluetooth.
To make things more confusing from what i have read so far the van maybe fitted with a Schaudt Electroblock EBL 211 which only has Lead-Gel or AGM settings, so this may also be an issue when charging on 240v
As soon as i get the van i will have a look and update this post
I'm pretty sure they've been standard on all Adria MHs for a few years. I went digging through them at a show a few years back and a schaudt booster was universally installed.
Location: MODERATOR - 2015 Rapido 640F LHD 2.3ltr 150bhp
motorhomer14 - 2021-04-01 2:50 PM
...To make things more confusing from what i have read so far the van maybe fitted with a Schaudt Electroblock EBL 211 which only has Lead-Gel or AGM settings, so this may also be an issue when charging on 240v...
This February 2020 MHFun forum discussion may be of interest.
