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Old 05-02-2018, 12:41 PM   #1
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THOR #2601
Vegas/Axis Battery Disconnect Switch

When my 2015 Vegas is in storage I go down about every 2 months and run the generator and top off the house battery charge. I've noticed that after about 2 months storage the battery charge indication on the monitor lights will be at 2/3. So even with the USE/STORE switch in STORE there is a very low drain on the house batteries.

We are moving back to PA and I'll be storing the RV at the Mechanicsburg Navy Depot in unheated indoor storage. We'll be living far enough away from Mechanicsburg that I won't be able to top off the batteries every 2 months by running the generator. I want to install a battery disconnect switch like many other owners have done; however, I don't see much space under the step where the batteries are located to mount a switch.

If any of you who have made this mod can post a picture of where you've mounted the switch and if you have a link to the kind of switch you installed I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

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Old 05-02-2018, 12:44 PM   #2
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THOR #1150
I installed a marine type switch on the panel to the left of the battery (next to the breaker in mine), however I only have 1 house battery.
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Old 05-02-2018, 12:48 PM   #3
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Thanks Jamie, but my problem is I have 2 batteries and that is what is eating up the space making difficult to find a spot to mount the switch. If you have a picture of where you mounted the switch I can see if I have comparable space.
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Old 05-02-2018, 01:06 PM   #4
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THOR #2601
This. shows how much space I have
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Old 05-02-2018, 01:08 PM   #5
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Unfortunately I don't have a pic--kind of tight there to snap a photo.

When standing outside the RV and looking into the door/step area I put it on the left "wall" of the battery compartment.

Edit: Yeah I installed it in that "empty" spot on your 2nd photo between the breaker and that terminal (although I think I only have the breaker). Although I think mine is on the other side of the compartment.

Something like this guy (Amazon).

Edit 2: You could always simply trip the breaker and use that as your disconnect.
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Old 05-02-2018, 01:09 PM   #6
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Ed .. we store our Axis for the winter in an enclosed. unheated pole barn. Ron checks it a couple times during the 5-6months it is in stored. He does not charge the batteries during the storage time...we are in KS .. this winter we had extreme cold most of the winter...we notify the fellow where we store the Axis a couple days before we go to take it out of storage..he charges the Chassis battery and we are ready to go. The House batteries take a charge quickly and we are good to go ... we got the Axis our about 3 weeks ago...all was good. water checked, etc.

I know...this goes against all the opinions everyone has regarding batteries..but, it has worked for Ron. In addition...when our Axis sits for extended length of time, it is in Store mode.

AND...this is with the much maligned original batteries which came in the RV!!

K
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Old 05-02-2018, 02:10 PM   #7
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The use store switch only kills power to the DC dist. panel. Looking at the way ours is wired a battery disconnect switch between the house batteries and the 50 amp breaker does nothing to help.
Batteries naturally discharge at about 1 to 2 % per month and temperature will have some effect from slowing the chemical reaction.
Before putting in a battery cutoff switch lift and tape the positive lead going to the 50 amp breaker and see if that makes a difference.
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Old 05-02-2018, 02:48 PM   #8
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With the lack of space I'm seriously considering Jamie's suggestion to just trip the breaker. I was reluctant to do that because I didn't know how well the breaker would take tripping and re-engaging.
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Old 05-02-2018, 03:36 PM   #9
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I just installed this yesterday. Had to grind the thickness of connection down a bit. It just fits under the step.
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Old 05-02-2018, 04:07 PM   #10
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I have been tripping the breaker for 3 years since my use/store switch has never worked since I bought the Axis used. I too am concerned about whether the breaker will stand up to this type use long-term.

If I put in a battery disconnect switch, what gauge wires are the batteries using since I will need to get some more?

I also am thinking about putting in a two-battery switch so I can isolate one of the batteries if it goes bad on a trip.

I have quite a bit of room even with two batteries.

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The clips are from the dual battery tender that I keep on both the coach and chassis batteries.
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Old 05-02-2018, 04:15 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roadhog View Post
I have been tripping the breaker for 3 years since my use/store switch has never worked since I bought the Axis used. I too am concerned about whether the breaker will stand up to this type use long-term.

If I put in a battery disconnect switch, what gauge wires are the batteries using since I will need to get some more?

I also am thinking about putting in a two-battery switch so I can isolate one of the batteries if it goes bad on a trip.

I have quite a bit of room even with two batteries.

Attachment 10043

Attachment 10044

The clips are from the dual battery tender that I keep on both the coach and chassis batteries.
I ordered these last year when I did the 4-6 volt install. For got to say these are nice flexible leads that bend easily. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Old 05-11-2018, 07:42 PM   #12
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Battery switch

Why not just disconnect each of the batteries positive terminal if you are only going to do this every 2 months? Leave the wrench next to the batteries. Wrap the wire terminals in plastic bags.
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Old 06-18-2019, 10:35 PM   #13
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THOR #14401
Hello, can anyone tell me where the battery disconnect switch is located on a 2018 Thor Vegas RUV 24.1? Please help...
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Old 06-18-2019, 11:39 PM   #14
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It's the USE/STORE switch just inside the door to the left. It is the switch next to the awning switch.
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