Upgrade Dilemma

[Seamelody]

Hi there. Seamelody.
It’s air suspension also approved via VW. Also self levelling so no requirement for levellers

Home | VB-Airsuspension

As a leading company undergoing rapid growth, we want people all across the globe to benefit from our premium suspension applications and airsuspension systems.

www.vbairsuspension.co.uk

Thanks - really like the merc Hymer BTW


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[Wondering Star]

£4500 was at SAP Doncaster, only rear conversation, would imagine additional 2k for front.

 

[Jester]

£4500 was at SAP Doncaster, only rear conversation, would imagine additional 2k for front.

That’s what I was thinking.

 

[smudge07]

We changed to a Hymer Grand Canyon s in September 2020 and can recommend the van and supplying dealer Campersales.
No problems with the Sprinter only one small issue with the interior that being the failure of the sink tap.
We travel as a family of four, payload has been increased from 3500 to 4050 kg, I have also replaced the two AGM batteries with Lithium to enable us to off grid. Presently in the Lakes and it looks like the batteries will last the four nights with practically no solar gain.
One thing about the Sprinter is that it's very softly sprung and if loaded on undulating roads can wallow, I plan to fit a VB full air suspension to the rear replacing the standard leaf springs.

Sorry again for the thread hijack but any advice of batteries to upgrade too. 4 nights off grid in winter is exactly what we need. We are up in the highlands and hope to make the most of off season mini trips. I tried to get Hymer to change our spec to their lithium set up but no joy. Did you get campersales to fit the solar panels - and if so happy with their work. I have a few quote to have panels installed by recommended installers 6 month wait!!!

 

[Wondering Star]

Hi, the company I used and can highly recommend is RoadPro in Daventry. Our van came with the additional AGM battery, even with that and 20O watts of solar it was to be honest rubbish, ok if you plan to use EHU but after two days with no solar input battery was failing.
Our van has a compressor fridge and diesel heating (both brilliant) which can be heavy on battery power.
RoadPro are not cheap, a small company with an excellent reputation.
They fitted two 100 Ah lion batteries, a small NDS inverter, modified wiring and fitted a Votronic control panel.
Cost was just under 3k, but I believe battery costs have fallen since I purchased, so would imagine a cost of 2k with no inverter.
Don't be fooled in to just dropping in lithium as a straight replacement Hymer use a different set up to most, from what I can remember my vehicle came with three separate battery chargers and did need considerable modification.
In total 8 hrs of labour, including fitting inverter.
The end result transformed how we use the van, our last night tonight in the Lakes and battery still showing 26 %, five days, four nights camping.
I did run the engine for 10/15 minutes when refilling with water which replenished with additional 5% charge. Major advantage of lithium is rapid recharge when running the engine compared to AGM or similar.
As for solar panels, Campersales had mine fitted by a sublet contractor, work fine but next time I would use Roadpro which I suspect are better quality.
One item I will fit in the future is a
Ablemail AMT12-2 Trickle Charger battery monitor to supply and maintain the starter battery.
One if the few battery masters that can work with lithium and AGM starter battery. Not available when I installed.
Most Sprinters with the latest tech struggle to maintain starter battery charge for much more than two wks if not in use, tech never really shuts down, things like electronic handbrake constantly monitoring.
You may have a wait with Roadpro, and they will only answer your initial request by email, this is basically to stop them answering technical question form free loaders. As a small company they only have time to assist there own customers.
They do provide a loan car/ or allow you to park over night
Hope this helps.

​

 

[speedialer]

Appears that a few of us migrating to the Hymer Grand Canyon S. We just ordered ours after two successive Oceans. Really interesting as well the comments on GCS suspension upgrades. What online forums are all you following for Hymer GCS/Sprinters ? Cheers.

 

[smudge07]

Hi, the company I used and can highly recommend is RoadPro in Daventry. Our van came with the additional AGM battery, even with that and 20O watts of solar it was to be honest rubbish, ok if you plan to use EHU but after two days with no solar input battery was failing.
Our van has a compressor fridge and diesel heating (both brilliant) which can be heavy on battery power.
RoadPro are not cheap, a small company with an excellent reputation.
They fitted two 100 Ah lion batteries, a small NDS inverter, modified wiring and fitted a Votronic control panel.
Cost was just under 3k, but I believe battery costs have fallen since I purchased, so would imagine a cost of 2k with no inverter.
Don't be fooled in to just dropping in lithium as a straight replacement Hymer use a different set up to most, from what I can remember my vehicle came with three separate battery chargers and did need considerable modification.
In total 8 hrs of labour, including fitting inverter.
The end result transformed how we use the van, our last night tonight in the Lakes and battery still showing 26 %, five days, four nights camping.
I did run the engine for 10/15 minutes when refilling with water which replenished with additional 5% charge. Major advantage of lithium is rapid recharge when running the engine compared to AGM or similar.
As for solar panels, Campersales had mine fitted by a sublet contractor, work fine but next time I would use Roadpro which I suspect are better quality.
One item I will fit in the future is a
Ablemail AMT12-2 Trickle Charger battery monitor to supply and maintain the starter battery.
One if the few battery masters that can work with lithium and AGM starter battery. Not available when I installed.
Most Sprinters with the latest tech struggle to maintain starter battery charge for much more than two wks if not in use, tech never really shuts down, things like electronic handbrake constantly monitoring.
You may have a wait with Roadpro, and they will only answer your initial request by email, this is basically to stop them answering technical question form free loaders. As a small company they only have time to assist there own customers.
They do provide a loan car/ or allow you to park over night
Hope this helps.

​

Thank you so much for all of this - amazing to get that much time off grid - it one of the reasons for buying the van. Going to have to save up for suspension and batteries - which to do first…
I really want some black rhino wheels and owl ladder and tyre carrier even although I can’t stand in the roof
Safe travels home - thanks a lot again.

 

[smudge07]

Appears that a few of us migrating to the Hymer Grand Canyon S. We just ordered ours after two successive Oceans. Really interesting as well the comments on GCS suspension upgrades. What online forums are all you following for Hymer GCS/Sprinters ? Cheers.

Good question - sprinter source for me - good Modification thread for an American revel - a few simple fixes like pockets on the dash rather thank holes..
I have haven’t found any specific Hymer forums that have much GCS info..?

 

[LRGS253]

No one mentions the Adria Twin. These look pretty good to me and quite compact.

 

[speedialer]

Good question - sprinter source for me - good Modification thread for an American revel - a few simple fixes like pockets on the dash rather thank holes..
I have haven’t found any specific Hymer forums that have much GCS info..?

Will check that out. The only thing I found specically for the GCS is a facebook group

 

[gvick]

If I was ever going to change from my Cali
It would be a Hymer Ayers Rock (non pop top) or for serious longer term travels a Hymer b544 (second hand one around 35k).

However I do t think you can beat Cali for being my main vehicle daily driver as well as my camper x

 

[soulstyledevon]

Hi, the company I used and can highly recommend is RoadPro in Daventry. Our van came with the additional AGM battery, even with that and 20O watts of solar it was to be honest rubbish, ok if you plan to use EHU but after two days with no solar input battery was failing.
Our van has a compressor fridge and diesel heating (both brilliant) which can be heavy on battery power.
RoadPro are not cheap, a small company with an excellent reputation.
They fitted two 100 Ah lion batteries, a small NDS inverter, modified wiring and fitted a Votronic control panel.
Cost was just under 3k, but I believe battery costs have fallen since I purchased, so would imagine a cost of 2k with no inverter.
Don't be fooled in to just dropping in lithium as a straight replacement Hymer use a different set up to most, from what I can remember my vehicle came with three separate battery chargers and did need considerable modification.
In total 8 hrs of labour, including fitting inverter.
The end result transformed how we use the van, our last night tonight in the Lakes and battery still showing 26 %, five days, four nights camping.
I did run the engine for 10/15 minutes when refilling with water which replenished with additional 5% charge. Major advantage of lithium is rapid recharge when running the engine compared to AGM or similar.
As for solar panels, Campersales had mine fitted by a sublet contractor, work fine but next time I would use Roadpro which I suspect are better quality.
One item I will fit in the future is a
Ablemail AMT12-2 Trickle Charger battery monitor to supply and maintain the starter battery.
One if the few battery masters that can work with lithium and AGM starter battery. Not available when I installed.
Most Sprinters with the latest tech struggle to maintain starter battery charge for much more than two wks if not in use, tech never really shuts down, things like electronic handbrake constantly monitoring.
You may have a wait with Roadpro, and they will only answer your initial request by email, this is basically to stop them answering technical question form free loaders. As a small company they only have time to assist there own customers.
They do provide a loan car/ or allow you to park over night
Hope this helps.

​

£3k…???

Jesus wept. It would take a lot of campsite dodging to ever break even on that…?

 

[Wondering Star]

Smudge07, I agree about the Black Rhinos, they are cool.
I did look at Owl kit and tried to purchase a tyre carrier but for various reason there was no supply.
I also looked at a Iglhaut but the export tariff was so expensive, eventually purchased from French off road specialist N4 though a Cambridge company 4x4 Works.
Excellent carrier and well finished.
Also on my wish list is Sentinel driving lights by lazer.
As for Lithium costs, a quality lithium battery has a much higher recharge recycle rate, for every replacement of your lithium battery you would have fitted five AGMs.
Long term lithium is more cost effective, its not for everyone however if you want to off grid between Oct-Mar in the UK its a solution.
Fitting an inverter is not necessary but gives more choice of electrical appliances that can be used.

​

 

[soulstyledevon]

How much power do you have now, with the lithium upgrade…?

 

[Wondering Star]

200Ah, but remember lithium can be used to very low levels of charge without battery damage, where AGM's should only be discharged to a recommended 50%.
Effectively you have twice the available power, and most importantly for me able to accept a high rapid charge.
The Smart alternator on the Mercedes can pump in 50/60 amps on tickover, so even when out of power a short journey will soon give you useable batteries.
My next issue to solve is the engine starter battery, an AGM battery and to my mind inadequate.
The van has an electric assisted sliding door, after five days of being opened numerous time its was the starter battery that gave me concern, flashing up a low battery indicator.
I see more mods looming?

 

[smudge07]

Hi, the company I used and can highly recommend is RoadPro in Daventry. Our van came with the additional AGM battery, even with that and 20O watts of solar it was to be honest rubbish, ok if you plan to use EHU but after two days with no solar input battery was failing.
Our van has a compressor fridge and diesel heating (both brilliant) which can be heavy on battery power.
RoadPro are not cheap, a small company with an excellent reputation.
They fitted two 100 Ah lion batteries, a small NDS inverter, modified wiring and fitted a Votronic control panel.
Cost was just under 3k, but I believe battery costs have fallen since I purchased, so would imagine a cost of 2k with no inverter.
Don't be fooled in to just dropping in lithium as a straight replacement Hymer use a different set up to most, from what I can remember my vehicle came with three separate battery chargers and did need considerable modification.
In total 8 hrs of labour, including fitting inverter.
The end result transformed how we use the van, our last night tonight in the Lakes and battery still showing 26 %, five days, four nights camping.
I did run the engine for 10/15 minutes when refilling with water which replenished with additional 5% charge. Major advantage of lithium is rapid recharge when running the engine compared to AGM or similar.
As for solar panels, Campersales had mine fitted by a sublet contractor, work fine but next time I would use Roadpro which I suspect are better quality.
One item I will fit in the future is a
Ablemail AMT12-2 Trickle Charger battery monitor to supply and maintain the starter battery.
One if the few battery masters that can work with lithium and AGM starter battery. Not available when I installed.
Most Sprinters with the latest tech struggle to maintain starter battery charge for much more than two wks if not in use, tech never really shuts down, things like electronic handbrake constantly monitoring.
You may have a wait with Roadpro, and they will only answer your initial request by email, this is basically to stop them answering technical question form free loaders. As a small company they only have time to assist there own customers.
They do provide a loan car/ or allow you to park over night
Hope this helps.

​

Hi Wondering Star - I wondered if you could ask for some help re: Grand Canyon battery upgrade. I am picking the van up Monday and taking it up to Road Pro. They helpfully were able to squeeze me in on my journey home for an installation due to a cancellation. There is a problem with the batteries unfortunately due to change of design and none of the old models are available. There are others to fit but they are larger... Camper-sales are sending me a picture of where the leisure batteries are fitted - are your lion batteries in the same place as the ones they replaced and where is that in the van down the back somewhere..is there much room for a taller battery do you think? Thanks in advance - we are getting excited about our pick up next week...

 

[Wondering Star]

Hi, yes batteries in the same place.
I will be home by 1800hrs and will post pictures.

 

[smudge07]

B

Hi, yes batteries in the same place.
I will be home by 1800hrs and will post pictures.

Amazing - thank you very much!

 

[Wondering Star]

Hope this helps, situated in two cupboards under the bed on the LH side.
Height may be an issue in one cupboard, however the other has a moveable shelf. The red box is the inverter.
Having said that, the electroblock unit (blue box) is mounted on a metal plate so it should be possible to re engineer.

 

[smudge07]

Thank you so much - massively helpful. I will send pics over to Road-pro space isn't as bad as I thought. I am in a dilemma with what to do re: 1000w or 2000w inverter..... what did you go for? Should I get a single socket for the inverter or all of them - are there many plugs in the van.. Sorry for the never ending questions..

Would you mind me sending a pm so I don't clog the thread too much if I haven't already..

Thanks again.

 

[Wondering Star]

No problem happy to help.
We went for a low power inverter 600watt mainly for charging laptop and other devises.
We tend to camp quite simply, although I do hanker for a fancy coffee machine (would need more powerful inverter).
Wired to one socket fitted under seat base, laptop can be left on table when charging. Power switch is positioned next to factory fitted switches which works well for us.
Happy to be Pm'd, don't forget to post pictures of new van.

 

[HowieDog]

We have had our Ocean for nearly 4 years and can’t fault it, however I’d like some more living space and an onboard bathroom would be ideal. The downside to this is we have to go larger, so parking and accessibility to places will be compromised - assuming we change. We have looked at the Grande Ocean, but the quality of fittings and build is way short of our camper. It looked more akin to a home DIY MDF sprayed white. Although the bathroom was spot on. So it’s off my list, can anyone recommend some panel van conversions, which are of a Ocean standard ?


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We have a Hymer Blue Evolution in order. 5.4m long and pop top.

 

[smudge07]

View attachment 89863View attachment 89864No problem happy to help.
We went for a low power inverter 600watt mainly for charging laptop and other devises.
We tend to camp quite simply, although I do hanker for a fancy coffee machine (would need more powerful inverter).
Wired to one socket fitted under seat base, laptop can be left on table when charging. Power switch is positioned next to factory fitted switches which works well for us.
Happy to be Pm'd, don't forget to post pictures of new van.

Will definitely get some new van pics. Thanks again for your help - I can't seam to find the PM bit on your wondering star 'handle' not normally this much of a biff. Interesting re: inverter I think we are into simply camping too - just want to be able to charge stuff including my electric bike - a hair drier and toaster would be good maybe a kettle but you can get low wattage (1000w) versions of those...

How many plugs are there in the van - just 1 in the kitchen?

 

[Wondering Star]

Three pin plugs as follows.
Side of kitchen unit, below dinette window, above fridge and inside bathroom cabinet. USB socket bedroom side of fridge, handy for phone charging.
Mercedes cab phone charging use micro USB.

 

[smudge07]

Three pin plugs as follows.
Side of kitchen unit, below dinette window, above fridge and inside bathroom cabinet. USB socket bedroom side of fridge, handy for phone charging.
Mercedes cab phone charging use micro USB.
View attachment 89868View attachment 89869View attachment 89870View attachment 89871

Brilliant - very very helpful can’t thank you enough - I will sound like I know what I am talking about now.