Identifying Two Lithium Batteries in a 2017 Axion

[JeffGalan]

I have two lithium battery switches in my Axion but only one switch lights up? But looks like there’s two? Because I see the red/black cables? Dunno.

Any ideas ? Thx

 

[JohnP-ClassB]

Those are 200 Ah lithium batteries made by KS2. They are H series. Try running the engine and then see if the blue light comes on. Sometimes you need to press the reset switch, but don't hold it for more than a couple of seconds. The H series batteries are pretty old now, and it's possible that they are failing. I just replaced both of my H batteries with Epoch 300 Ah batteries. I placed them inside the KS2 boxes. The switches are no longer used. I recently posted the steps on the Hymer Aktiv owners Facebook group. I'd encourage you to contact Edge Vanworks in Livermore, CA or Northeast RV in Beavertown, PA. Both of them are experts on the Hymer/Roadtrek battery systems. It would be worth the drive to have them check out your van and get its electrical system working correctly. Most of the Hymers, Carados, and Roadtreks were wired incorrectly at the factory.

 

[JeffGalan]

Hi. Thank you much for the reply. So each one is 200 so total of 400? It’s a 2017 so probably they are failing but I get a 13.6 on that volt meter thing on the panel. Maybe decent but I’ll try the reset today now that I know I have two.

The idiot dealer told me I have one lithium and he pointed to the inverter telling me that’s the lithium battery. LOL. I’m like. NO That’s the inverter.

I did read of the electrical issues in this Carado I got. I kinda wished I didn’t get it now but they dropped the price low because it wasn’t selling. I wonder why? Hmm.

I also don’t like that Alde thing and didn’t know how it worked until I bought it. My fault.

I will look on FB your post. Livermore CA would be the closest for me.

Thank you again.


Edit

Also wanted to ask you.

Is there also AGM battery in this? Because when I turn on that battery switch I see a different reading of volts then flip on lithium and it’s different. Thx.

 

[D&C ERV2]

If your reset switches are working turn them both off and look at voltage. If you still have 13.6 it has an AGM connected to the system if no voltage you don't. then hit reset one at a time to see if they come on while watching voltage. If it comes on turn it off and try the other one while looking at voltage to determine state off charge for each.
It's been said that these systems used an AGM as a kicker to operate the relays inside the case. My unit has an under-hood AGM connected to the house system, and I have rebuilt my batteries because of the relays not working and a dead cell in one. While I had the system you are dealing with, I figured out that holding the reset button on would force the battery to charge even with a bad relay. I finished a trip using a toothpick to hold the reset for charging and discharging. Don't recommend this as a permanent fix because you don't want to overcharge but you can use in an emergency

 

[JeffGalan]

Thank you for the reply. Appreciate it.

Yea I see the 13.6 with both switches off.

Then I turn the left one on but no blue light. The right one has the blue light and voltage went to 13.2.

I will try holding that reset button down as you said.

I’m able to run the ac on roof with the one lithium and inverter on for 40 mins (that’s all I tested it to) and it went to 12.5 and stayed at that. Two solar panels above.

I guess since there’s two lithiums underneath there, one is dead from never charging in guessing based on what you said about the relay. I’ll look for that toothpick lol.

Thx for the reply.

 

[D&C ERV2]

The reason you're seeing the voltage drop is because the AGM is charging or equalizing to the one connected Lithium. What happens to the voltage if you hold the reset button on the left switch without the right switch on?

 

[JeffGalan]

Ok thank you.

Nothing. I just went in it to test that. Turned on battery switch to show 13.7. Then the dead one I turned on, no blue light and held reset and nothing. No change in voltage. It’s totally dead or not connected or something else.

The right one is blue light and voltage charges. But the left is dead. And there’s two underneath it as shown in the pic above.

I don’t know why one would die and the other is normal I suppose.

Also when I drive I don’t see any change in voltages at all so I have no clue if that’s connected or even charging.

What a mess. Wish I never got this Carado.

Even though I got it cheap my old RT was problem free for the most part.

 

[D&C ERV2]

If there is a UHG (Alternator) for the house system and you have the right one on you should see a voltage increase after driving for a while or there is a problem with the right one as well. If your inverter is also a charger you could plug it in and expect the same results without driving. Sorry I can't be more help because I don't know the components of your system.

 

[JeffGalan]

I don’t think there’s a UG in this though when I went underneath I saw what I thought was one under the passenger front side with a case on it. I identified the location from other posts but could be something else. I didn’t see any serpentine belt so likely it’s not.

You have been GREAT in helping. Thanks much.

Problem with these rvs is not many have them, they aren’t so popular really like RT. I even asked on the FB Hymer page and nothing. But thank you. I appreciate your responses and have a blessed weekend.

 

[JohnP-ClassB]

Hi. Thank you much for the reply. So each one is 200 so total of 400? It’s a 2017 so probably they are failing but I get a 13.6 on that volt meter thing on the panel. Maybe decent but I’ll try the reset today now that I know I have two.

The idiot dealer told me I have one lithium and he pointed to the inverter telling me that’s the lithium battery. LOL. I’m like. NO That’s the inverter.

I did read of the electrical issues in this Carado I got. I kinda wished I didn’t get it now but they dropped the price low because it wasn’t selling. I wonder why? Hmm.

I also don’t like that Alde thing and didn’t know how it worked until I bought it. My fault.

I will look on FB your post. Livermore CA would be the closest for me.

Thank you again.


Edit

Also wanted to ask you.

Is there also AGM battery in this? Because when I turn on that battery switch I see a different reading of volts then flip on lithium and it’s different. Thx.

Sorry for the late reply. I think D&C answered most of your questions. Yes, you have two 200 Ah batteries for a total of 400 when both switches are on. You can use them separately or together. There is an AGM battery mounted near the rear axle. It may need to be replaced if the previous owner hasn't already. If you have two KS2 lithium batteries (which you do), then you have an underhood generator (AKA 2nd alternator). It's on the passenger side under a protective plastic shield. In addition to the UG, there is something called a Balmar. The Balmar works with the UG to charge the batteries when the engine is running. On the 2017 vans, the Balmar was mounted under the driver's side front wheel well. Most owners have relocated it to the engine compartment for easier access. The Balmar has two fuses on the wiring harness. If those have blown, the UG will not charge your batteries.

It sounds like your working H battery is in pretty good shape if it can power your A/C for 40 minutes. The Carado Axion is a great van once the electrical system is corrected. At least call Edge Vanworks to discuss your options. Since you got a good deal on the van, it probably makes sense to invest a few thousand dollars more to have the electrical system working as it should.

 

[JohnP-ClassB]

I don’t think there’s a UG in this though when I went underneath I saw what I thought was one under the passenger front side with a case on it. I identified the location from other posts but could be something else. I didn’t see any serpentine belt so likely it’s not.

You have been GREAT in helping. Thanks much.

Problem with these rvs is not many have them, they aren’t so popular really like RT. I even asked on the FB Hymer page and nothing. But thank you. I appreciate your responses and have a blessed weekend.

Check out the Hymer Aktiv Owners and Wannabees Facebook group. We have some very knowledgeable members who are experts on the Hymer electrical systems. There is also a lot of information in the files section for the group.

 

[JeffGalan]

Sorry for the late reply. I think D&C answered most of your questions. Yes, you have two 200 Ah batteries for a total of 400 when both switches are on. You can use them separately or together. There is an AGM battery mounted near the rear axle. It may need to be replaced if the previous owner hasn't already. If you have two KS2 lithium batteries (which you do), then you have an underhood generator (AKA 2nd alternator). It's on the passenger side under a protective plastic shield. In addition to the UG, there is something called a Balmar. The Balmar works with the UG to charge the batteries when the engine is running. On the 2017 vans, the Balmar was mounted under the driver's side front wheel well. Most owners have relocated it to the engine compartment for easier access. The Balmar has two fuses on the wiring harness. If those have blown, the UG will not charge your batteries.

It sounds like your working H battery is in pretty good shape if it can power your A/C for 40 minutes. The Carado Axion is a great van once the electrical system is corrected. At least call Edge Vanworks to discuss your options. Since you got a good deal on the van, it probably makes sense to invest a few thousand dollars more to have the electrical system working as it should.

Check out the Hymer Aktiv Owners and Wannabees Facebook group. We have some very knowledgeable members who are experts on the Hymer electrical systems. There is also a lot of information in the files section for the group.

Sorry for the late reply. I think D&C answered most of your questions. Yes, you have two 200 Ah batteries for a total of 400 when both switches are on. You can use them separately or together. There is an AGM battery mounted near the rear axle. It may need to be replaced if the previous owner hasn't already. If you have two KS2 lithium batteries (which you do), then you have an underhood generator (AKA 2nd alternator). It's on the passenger side under a protective plastic shield. In addition to the UG, there is something called a Balmar. The Balmar works with the UG to charge the batteries when the engine is running. On the 2017 vans, the Balmar was mounted under the driver's side front wheel well. Most owners have relocated it to the engine compartment for easier access. The Balmar has two fuses on the wiring harness. If those have blown, the UG will not charge your batteries.

It sounds like your working H battery is in pretty good shape if it can power your A/C for 40 minutes. The Carado Axion is a great van once the electrical system is corrected. At least call Edge Vanworks to discuss your options. Since you got a good deal on the van, it probably makes sense to invest a few thousand dollars more to have the electrical system working as it should.

Thanks for your reply. The dealer said no UG but they also pointed up my inverter calling it a lithium battery LOL. So I believe what you said about the UG.

I just took pix of passenger front side. I don’t know what this is. But I see a plastic shield over it and it’s low to the ground.

If it’s UG then the fuse could be blown on the Balmar as you said because nothing is charging when vehicle is on.

Here’s pix. Thx again. I will try that Livermore place on Monday.

 

[JeffGalan]

Check out the Hymer Aktiv Owners and Wannabees Facebook group. We have some very knowledgeable members who are experts on the Hymer electrical systems. There is also a lot of information in the files section for the group.

OK will do. Thank you very much. I typed in a Carado search but it’s not too active and no one responded to me but I’ll try these ones you wrote here. Thank you.

 

[JohnP-ClassB]

Thanks for your reply. The dealer said no UG but they also pointed up my inverter calling it a lithium battery LOL. So I believe what you said about the UG.

I just took pix of passenger front side. I don’t know what this is. But I see a plastic shield over it and it’s low to the ground.

If it’s UG then the fuse could be blown on the Balmar as you said because nothing is charging when vehicle is on.

Here’s pix. Thx again. I will try that Livermore place on Monday.

Yes, that's where the UG is. It has its own belt that needs to be replaced at about 50,000 miles. If the belt is missing, that would be another reason for the UG not to charge the batteries.

I'll attach some photos of where my Balmar was located when I bought my Aktiv in 2018. I've since moved it to the engine area. The original location was not good because it was difficult to access for programming and was more exposed to road dirt and salt.

 

[D&C ERV2]

So does this Carado have a separate battery for the engine?