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Boxster1971 · 09-04-2023, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kroderman

I have a new 2024 AI 4WD. I have to say, I am actually a little surprised that we have had if for a couple of months now and put over 2K on it and not a single issue (knock on wood) but I am sure my time is coming.

Great - thanks for additional info. What do you think of the new 2023 Sprinter AWD system with OM654 4-cylinder diesel and 9G-Tronic transmission?

I didn’t really want the AWD, but that is all Airstream is offering for the 2024 Interstate 19’s. What kind of fuel mileage are you getting?

kroderman · 09-05-2023, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

Great - thanks for additional info. What do you think of the new 2023 Sprinter AWD system with OM654 4-cylinder diesel and 9G-Tronic transmission?

I didn’t really want the AWD, but that is all Airstream is offering for the 2024 Interstate 19’s. What kind of fuel mileage are you getting?

When I originally placed the order in April, the dealer told me it would be a 2024 so I asked if it would be the AWD chassis and they didn't seem to know anything about the switch to the AWD which was a little surprising.

It wasn't until a few weeks later they called me to tell me it would be an AWD with an October or November delivery. Then a week or so later they called to tell me they had a customer backed out of a deal of one that was already under construction that was spec'ed out the same as mine and it would technically be a 2024 but would be on one of the last 2022 chassis Airstream had in stock so it would be the 6 cyl 4WD. Since we live in a mountainous area and I wanted the FWD to begin with, I jumped at it and we took delivery a few weeks ago so mine in a 2024 Airstream on a 2022 4WD chassis. The only way you can tell it is a 2024 model is they "upgraded" the TV to a smart TV so it is a little meaningless, just looks newer on the title.

I would have been fine with the AWD chassis but I was a little concerned that knowing Airstream, it might mean they needed to tweak a few things when they make the switch, especially where the E1 package is concerned so I didn't want to be one of the first AWDs they released so it worked out fine.

As I said, we live in a mountainous area so there is a lot of up and down mountains around here but I seem to be averaging about 15.5mpg with the 6 cyl. I am very interested to see the real-world MPG of the AWD 4cyl.

Boxster1971 · 09-05-2023, 06:25 PM

Thanks for clarification - I misread your post of “2024 AI 4WD” as 2024 AI AWD. Understand now that you have a 2022 Sprinter with what MB calls 4x4.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kroderman

When I originally placed the order in April, the dealer told me it would be a 2024 so I asked if it would be the AWD chassis and they didn't seem to know anything about the switch to the AWD which was a little surprising.

It wasn't until a few weeks later they called me to tell me it would be an AWD with an October or November delivery. Then a week or so later they called to tell me they had a customer backed out of a deal of one that was already under construction that was spec'ed out the same as mine and it would technically be a 2024 but would be on one of the last 2022 chassis Airstream had in stock so it would be the 6 cyl 4WD. Since we live in a mountainous area and I wanted the FWD to begin with, I jumped at it and we took delivery a few weeks ago so mine in a 2024 Airstream on a 2022 4WD chassis. The only way you can tell it is a 2024 model is they "upgraded" the TV to a smart TV so it is a little meaningless, just looks newer on the title.

I would have been fine with the AWD chassis but I was a little concerned that knowing Airstream, it might mean they needed to tweak a few things when they make the switch, especially where the E1 package is concerned so I didn't want to be one of the first AWDs they released so it worked out fine.

As I said, we live in a mountainous area so there is a lot of up and down mountains around here but I seem to be averaging about 15.5mpg with the 6 cyl. I am very interested to see the real-world MPG of the AWD 4cyl.

symonty · 09-13-2023, 11:25 AM

Thx the setting is hidden and only comes on when you are plugged in.

bythewayb · 11-17-2023, 10:38 PM

I purchased the Airstream Interstate 24GT E1 last month and have enjoyed it for the first month. Back to service to replace a fuse that reads out the coach battery voltage (delivered that way) so we lost 2 weeks of use. Then back to service as the Volta system's power transfer switch failed thus disabling all power to everything, including the solar charging MPPT system. Bummer since we will not be able to use it until replaced nor able to use it for this year's Thanksgiving week.

The Mercedes coach has been flawless, no defects found.

CRCMD · 11-18-2023, 05:18 AM

I was again at the factory a few months ago. Talked to techs who work on the electrical issues.. They don’t know how to work on the E1. Airstream calls on a Volta tech to fix issues. The E1 comes as an enclosed electrical box. Imagine trying to get a tech at an authorized dealership to address an E1 problem. Probably gonna wait a long time. What is that old saying: When hell freezes over?
Better off to install your own “E1” features. Look at my prior posts. Besides batteries, alternator and other upgrades, I have also added a Webasto diesel heater. That works great! Uses very little diesel fuel and electricity and puts out a very large amount of heat.

bythewayb · 11-20-2023, 10:28 AM

My Volta system recently went 100% belly-up and not only did I lose all AC shore and inverter power but the Volta-integrated solar panel controller is also non-functional. The shore/inverter power transfer switch is integrated into the Volta inverter-charger unit.

The only way to charge the Volta 58 volt battery is via the secondary alternator with the engine running over 1500 RPM. The alternator bypasses the Volta and goes directly to the 58 volt Volta battery.

I understand that the 2024 Interstate may have gone back to the separate Victron Energy Solar Charge Controller. Solves the single point failure risk.

Boxster1971 · 11-20-2023, 07:26 PM

bythewayb - have you tried using the Victron smartphone app to communicate with the solar controller? I think all E1 systems with the Volta Power Distribution Hub (PDH) have a Victron solar controller inside the PDH.

The electrical wiring diagram you posted above has a dashed line around all the components inside the PDH.

bythewayb · 11-21-2023, 08:43 AM

I sent a message to the Volta Power Systems customer support and the engineer's response was "They will need to contact us for repair, or they can contact Airstream".

In my opinion this is terrible customer support from Volta for a $24K addition to the Airstream Interstate MH.

Back to Airstream service repair for at least another two weeks in the shop.

bythewayb · 11-21-2023, 08:56 AM

The 2023 Interstate 24GT 4x4 does not have the Victron system, it uses the solar charge controller is which is internal to the Volta Power System. The Volta iPhone app does not display solar charge percent or current, it only shows total charge watts from the Volta internal inverter/charger module.

Unfortunately this MPPT is not enabled unless the dual Volta DC-DC converters are powered on.

Boxster1971 · 11-21-2023, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kroderman

. . .
As I said, we live in a mountainous area so there is a lot of up and down mountains around here but I seem to be averaging about 15.5mpg with the 6 cyl. I am very interested to see the real-world MPG of the AWD 4cyl.

I’m getting about 23mpg over the first 6,000 miles so far. It could get better once it’s fully broken-in.

PaulSantaFe · Yesterday, 11:57 AM

We recently purchased a 2024 IE with E1. My wife is an electrical engineer, and we sold industrial batteries in our business. We'll post once we have some more experience with it. We did find that not too many people know much about the system at this point. We're keeping our fingers crossed. She does have some concerns about the type of lithium batteries used and said another type of lithium battery would have been safer.

Boxster1971 · Yesterday, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulSantaFe

We recently purchased a 2024 IE with E1. My wife is an electrical engineer, and we sold industrial batteries in our business. We'll post once we have some more experience with it. We did find that not too many people know much about the system at this point. We're keeping our fingers crossed. She does have some concerns about the type of lithium batteries used and said another type of lithium battery would have been safer.

Paul - Welcome to the forum!!

Your wife is correct - Volta chose to use the riskier Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) - Automotive Grade cells since they provide more power for their size and weight. It is one of the reasons they won't let owners open the battery pack or the Power Distribution Hub (PDH).

Others, like Lithionics use the safer Lithium-ion Iron Phosphate chemistry.
https://lithionicsbattery.com/safety/

Looking forward to hearing more about your experiences with your 2024 Interstate 19e. I have the same model and the electrical work is typically bad as it was on my 2013 Interstate.

I found one of the terminals on the primary 12VDC Circuit Breaker bus bar was "finger tight". Glad I found it early before it vibrated loose and caused problems.

I've already ripped into my Interstate 19 electrical system. Added a second 12V Victron SmartSolar MPPT controller to keep the Sprinter chassis battery charged when the van can sit in my driveway for weeks at a time. Like fellow member StogieMan I'm always making changes to my van. Photo attached shows how I removed rear panel under lounge/bed to see the Volta PHD and associated wiring.

I noticed that on my 2024 Interstate 19e the Volta PHD, that weighs 90 lbs, was not fastened to the vehicle. It was only being held in place by the heavy wires seen on side of the PHD. I contacted my dealer and they were told by Airstream that the PDH is to be held in place by hidden fasteners. Mine has none - so I made some hold down tabs to secure the PDH to the floor as seen in second attached photo. I did it myself because my dealer is over three hours away.

Gerdog · Today, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

I’m getting about 23mpg over the first 6,000 miles so far. It could get better once it’s fully broken-in.

Mike 23 mpg is incredible for a heavy van! And thats the 4 cylinder with AWD? For us the 4x4 didnt make sense for us but for others I understand the added functionality. The AWD is another story. Please keep us updated on your I19 w E1 and how the van is performing.