ARV video about used vans inspection for resale, including batteries

[booster]

I ran across this when I was searching to see if I could find out what battery system ARV is currently using.

It is very interesting and gives some insights.

It surprised me about the battery testing because based on past ARV information and what davydd has said, I thought they had always done those things.

They also where replacing all the tanks in the van shown with updated ones. One of the tanks in the van had been rubbing on the driveshaft, it appears.

ARV video link

 

[GeorgeRad]

Good idea to replace the tank, a hole due to driveshaft rubbing could be disastrous, like s__t hit the driveshaft (fan). Another question would be why the tank swell to that extent, I would assume ARV designed a sufficient clearance.

 

[booster]

I would have to go back to see for sure, but do remember some comments earlier about tank replacements in the used vans, and the did for sure say the new tank was an upgraded one.

Even ARV can make mistakes as they are human.

 

[Winston-ClassB]

I ran across this when I was searching to see if I could find out what battery system ARV is currently using.
ARV video link

Too bad they didn't summarize their findings. Would also be curious what their "acceptable" threshold is. And, finally - - in view of our own experiences - - whether they test 'beyond' mere capacity, specifically, whether they test for loss of high current capacity due to increased internal resistance.

PS: Did you discover what batteries ARV is currently using?

 

[booster]

My guess is that the original test would be against the 80% or original capacity when new standard.

They state that the warranty on the used ones is at 80% of TESTED capacity so could easily be at near 65% of original when new capacity.

I haven't had time to do more searching, but still don't know what cells they are currently using, assuming they are building the battery bank themselves as pix normally show. davydd's van did come with bought 12v batteries, though, IIRC.

 

[booster]

Summary would be good so we could see the actual ages of passed and no passed banks, plus the very, very important cycles run and depth of discharge averages.

It is starting to look like well designed lithium setups are going to be similar in life to top quality, good installation, AGMS. 8 years with a probable range of +/- 3 to 4 years.

 

[Doneworking]

booster wrote "davydd's van did come with bought 12v batteries, though, IIRC."

I always learned a lot from davydd but haven't seen a post from him in months?

 

[Boxster1971]

My guess is that the original test would be against the 80% or original capacity when new standard.

They state that the warranty on the used ones is at 80% of TESTED capacity so could easily be at near 65% of original when new capacity.

I haven't had time to do more searching, but still don't know what cells they are currently using, assuming they are building the battery bank themselves as pix normally show. davydd's van did come with bought 12v batteries, though, IIRC.

Advanced RV has used several approaches to lithium batteries over the years. Their initial lithium batteries prior to 2017 were built up from individual GBS prismatic cells. This video from 2015 explains why they chose lithium.

GBS Prismatic cells:

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www.gbslithiumbattery.com

This ARV video provides even more details on the advantages of lithium.

They tried the Volta 48V battery in 2017 for a few years as reported in this video:

Ultimately they switched to building their own battery packs using the Valance 12V battery U-CHARGE XP SERIES from Lithion.

U-Charge XP Lithium Ion Battery Series | Lithion Battery Inc.

The U-Charge XP lithium ion battery series is a family of 12V, 18V, 24V and 36V lithium battery modules.

www.lithionbattery.com

They did build them in 12, 24 and 48 volt packs. About two years ago they switched to only build 48V systems. The 170 Sprinters get a custom-built battery box mounted under the van behind the rear axel in place of the spare tire much like the Volta battery pack. The 144 Sprinters and their "B Box" models on the Sprinter cab chassis get custom made battery packs at various spots inside the van.