Batteries both vehicle and coach losing charge

[captmetal]

my engine alternator will charge the house batteries when driving

[Propwash]

Originally Posted by GAPonygirl

It always clicked, and I would make sure that the lights were off (to make sure it was really off), but it wasn't. In three days all batteries would go dead and we had to jump with another vehicle. The dealer had issues identifying the problem, and could not figure out what Thor had done regarding the wiring schematics. Shore power wasn't a problem, so we used it for trips but no dry camping. While driving the service manager had us stick a piece of paper under the switch on the dash that connects all of the batteries to keep them connected, so the engine would charge while we were driving.

Thanks. So far I can live with it, as I haven't had anymore problems with the batteries discharging... just so long as I carefully check to ensure the switch has actually disconnected power! It's just hard to understand why it takes two cycles of the switch each time for it to do this!

[GAPonygirl]

Originally Posted by Propwash

Thanks. So far I can live with it, as I haven't had anymore problems with the batteries discharging... just so long as I carefully check to ensure the switch has actually disconnected power! It's just hard to understand why it takes two cycles of the switch each time for it to do this!

My hubby thinks your switch may be going bad. I've had a few RVs and it always takes one push of the switch. If you are still under warranty, I would make them change it now, then out of your pocket later. And like ours, it could be more than that. Good luck, and safe travels.

[Propwash]

Originally Posted by GAPonygirl

My hubby thinks your switch may be going bad. I've had a few RVs and it always takes one push of the switch. If you are still under warranty, I would make them change it now, then out of your pocket later. And like ours, it could be more than that. Good luck, and safe travels.

Thanks much. I'll have to give Thor a call and see if they will send me a new switch. It'd be easier for me to change it myself than put it back on the road this time of year, and try to find a service center within a reasonable distance! Luckily, I have plenty of time before warranty expires...

[GAPonygirl]

Originally Posted by Propwash

Thanks much. I'll have to give Thor a call and see if they will send me a new switch. It'd be easier for me to change it myself than put it back on the road this time of year, and try to find a service center within a reasonable distance! Luckily, I have plenty of time before warranty expires...

Cool Beans!

[munrore]

Originally Posted by jsottile

No its not plugged in. Thanks for the advice

Hi jsottile, what did you do about the parasitic drain from the radio? On my 2018 Thor Siesta Sprinter the chassis battery goes dead in two weeks max when stored (no shore, switch in "store"). Now with colder weather, two weeks is down to maybe one week... Thor mentioned maybe I have a radio drain issue...

[Thehobe1]

I've seen so many battery comments so I decided to measure the battery load current on my 2017 Vegas 25.2. In the "store" mode, with the shore power disconnected, the drain current measures 8 mA. A new or good battery installed in these Thor Axis/Vegas models having two deep discharge batteries would each have 40-60AH (Amp Hour) available so the 8mA load would last for (50AHx2)/(8mA)=520 days.

This tells me that you can leave batteries in good condition (<2 years old and have not been totally discharged (<11V) during their lifetime) left in "store" mode for many weeks at a time, and I have with good results.

I, too had problems with my originally supplied batteries probably because the dealership did not keep the batteries charged when sitting on the lot (for almost a year). I replaced the batteries, available at Costco, and have not had a problem for the last year.

Leaving lead acid batteries in a discharged state for even a short period of time can severely reduce their life and fully discharging them to begin with is very bad for the life of a lead acid battery.

[tomkat334]

I didn’t have a draw problem on my Thor like I did with a past Coachman but I installed battery disconnects on the coach and engine batteries out of habit I guess. I disconnect both when storing the unit. Haven’t had a problem nor do I expect one until the batteries die from age.

[tinker3030]

I have an in-use switch that I turn on when I get into the coach. The lights work, and then turn it off when I leave. The batteries just won't seem to charge.

[JamieGeek]

Yup when you turn it off you are also disconnecting the charger.

Leave in use whenever your are plugged in (basically: the only time to put in store is when it is in storage unplugged).