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08-12-2017, 08:55 PM
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#1
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Maryland
Posts: 43
THOR #1961
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Maintain Engine Battery over the winter
In our Axis 24.1, the engine battery went dead over the winter, and I would like a solution for that problem.
Has anyone used a solar charger panel placed on the inside of the vehicle on the front dash and plugged it into one of the 'cigarette' lighter on the vertical surface of dashboard? I suppose I could use a 120V charger and connect it to the battery but am concerned that it might get wet over the winter with dire results.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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08-12-2017, 09:06 PM
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#2
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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Put a battery disconnect on it and leave it disconnected. Been working for me now for two seasons.
I visit the camper about once a week or so (yeah I miss it if I don't--it can go longer like a month or so), connect the batteries (yeah I have disconnects on all the batteries) and fire everything up. Let everything run long enough to get to operating temperature (which can take some time in frigid February), shut it all down, disconnect all the batteries and button everything back up again.
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08-12-2017, 10:21 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 29.0
State: Colorado
Posts: 219
THOR #2581
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I use a batteryminder plug it in and forget about it. That said I still start my unit every few weeks as well as the generator and let it fully warm up for all the other reasons.
It pulls a lot of juice out of the battery to start it and unless you let it run for awhile you can lose more than you gain. Batteryminder will keep it fully charged all the time but don't forget to check the power going to the batteryminder once in awhile.
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No more wasted time.
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08-12-2017, 11:14 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 24TX (Formerly)
State: California
Posts: 1,459
THOR #5821
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If you have access to 110 volts where you store, just use a battery maintainer, be sure you use an intelligent charger that knows to go into float mode when the battery is fully charged. If you have no power access you will have to visit it periodically during the winter and run it long enough to keep things charged up. Not a good idea to let batteries go completely dead. Another possibility, use a rechargeable power station and plug your battery charger into that, then take it home every month or so to recharge it.
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08-12-2017, 11:25 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 29.0
State: Colorado
Posts: 219
THOR #2581
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SailingVehicle
I suppose I could use a 120V charger and connect it to the battery but am concerned that it might get wet over the winter with dire results.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Laco
If you have access to 110 volts
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No more wasted time.
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08-12-2017, 11:35 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
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If you're plugged in to 120 and the use/store switch is in the use position the onboard charger should keep your batteries up.
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08-12-2017, 11:52 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 29.0
State: Colorado
Posts: 219
THOR #2581
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperD
If you're plugged in to 120 and the use/store switch is in the use position the onboard charger should keep your batteries up.
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The engine battery?
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No more wasted time.
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08-13-2017, 12:30 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Halibut214
The engine battery?
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You would have to ask either Thor, dealer, or someone with an ACE, but on our coach yes, engine too.
If your coach does charge the battery and you add another charger it can cause a problem because of sensing and the chargers fight each other.
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08-13-2017, 01:38 AM
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#9
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Maryland
Posts: 43
THOR #1961
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Even the engine battery?
Thanks
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08-13-2017, 01:41 AM
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#10
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Maryland
Posts: 43
THOR #1961
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Oops, should have read all the comments.
No one seems to have used a solar panel charger to keep the battery fully charged.
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08-13-2017, 02:14 AM
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#11
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SailingVehicle
Oops, should have read all the comments.
No one seems to have used a solar panel charger to keep the battery fully charged.
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If you are storing it over winter the solar panel may get covered with snow and thus reduce its effectiveness (regardless of where it is: roof, sitting outside, or even on the dash inside the front window). Necessitating you visiting and cleaning it off. A battery maintainer would be more reliable--provided your 120V is pretty reliable.
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08-13-2017, 03:23 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: SOB 2014 Meridian 36M
State: Washington
Posts: 981
THOR #7205
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I have been using one of these "Genius" smart chargers with great results. I just disconnect the Negative cable from the battery or coach batteries. Then attach the chargers. I just check the 120v source to make sure the GFCI hasn't tripped.
https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G3500-Ul...004LX3AS6?th=1
If you don't have access to 120v, I would disconnect the battery cables. I haven't tried a solar charger.
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08-13-2017, 03:26 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: SOB 2014 Meridian 36M
State: Washington
Posts: 981
THOR #7205
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SailingVehicle
I suppose I could use a 120V charger and connect it to the battery but am concerned that it might get wet over the winter with dire results.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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Oh, as far as the electrical connections getting wet. I make sure the connections are up under the MH. Use a zip-tie or lay then on top of a tire to keep them dry.
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08-13-2017, 09:58 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2013 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,184
THOR #908
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I haven't used one, but I did look at them.
I have a disconnect switch on all my batteries, first thing I do when I park it for storage is disconnect tyem. Try to have them as fully charged as I can.
I'm in the South so not dealing with low winter temperatures really, but I've gone up to maybe around 3 months or so with no problem.
I have a smalle battery minder about like this one
022-0150-DL-WH
on my boat battery that sits very long periods of time between uses. Has worked for a number of years now. Before getting this, I replaced way too many batteries in boats and pupoups.
That same company makes solar trickle chargers.
My take...... if you are going longer than say a couple months in storage and can't do a plug in trickle charger, I wouldn't hesitate to do one of these little solar ones.
Even when disconnected, these batteries will loose roughly 10% per month....so assuming you start with 100% you've only got maybe 4-5 months. Now start less than full, and don't disconnect all the parasitic loads, then you're asking for a damaged battery. Solar can't hurt!
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08-14-2017, 10:27 AM
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#15
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Member
State: Alaska
Posts: 51
THOR #6879
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I just go start the RV up about once a month. Turn on generator. But our main plan is to find a place warmer than Michigan for winter storage.
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08-14-2017, 05:49 PM
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#16
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Maryland
Posts: 43
THOR #1961
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Good plan and good luck!
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08-14-2017, 06:30 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 24TX (Formerly)
State: California
Posts: 1,459
THOR #5821
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 99dart
I have been using one of these "Genius" smart chargers with great results. I just disconnect the Negative cable from the battery or coach batteries. Then attach the chargers. I just check the 120v source to make sure the GFCI hasn't tripped.
https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G3500-Ul...004LX3AS6?th=1
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I have used that Genius smart charger for 3 or 4 years, had one permanently installed on my former DP to keep the chassis batteries up whenever it was plugged in. Still use it, but now only occasionally as the chassis battery is completely isolated on the Mercedes chassis, and stays fully charged for months. I carry it with me, just in case, though. Had a problem with one, and NOCO immediately replaced it.
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08-15-2017, 01:24 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
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Solar isn't going to hurt - but as mentioned - relies on the sun hitting the panel... and snow can affect that in Maryland...
If your rig is NOT plugged in:
When I was in the north - had no issue going 6 weeks or more with no power - battery disconnect in 'store'... On both my rigs (2000 and 2014) - the disconnects have been 'complete'. (Actually 2014 rig in backyard in in FL now - and hasn't been plugged in for 4+ weeks - checked batteries yesterday - and all was fine.)
If your disconnect doesn't really disconnect everything - then you can have an issue - but would normally affect the coach battery - not chassis... There you have a choice of chasing the loads to fix - or adding a manual disconnect.
If your rig is plugged in - and use switch is in 'Use' - it should be charging BOTH the coach and chassis - if it isn't - read Ed's manual section on the BIRD and BCC - figure out which your unit has and what is broke...
I used a battery minder on the 'non-toad' I left behind in MI for 3+ month snowbird trips in past winters... Have never used it on the RV.
__________________
Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
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08-15-2017, 10:39 PM
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#19
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor ACE 30.2 Bunkhouse
State: Nevada
Posts: 30
THOR #5275
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I have a goal zero maintainer in my Ace. The maintainer keeps the chassis battery. Put it on the dash and plug into the dash.
The house batteries are charged via the rooftop solar panel. I attached a screenshot from their website.
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08-17-2017, 03:24 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Florida
Posts: 613
THOR #4366
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We just let the solar system I installed handle it.
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2016 Axis 24.1 E-450 6 spd tranny
300 watts portable solar.
200 watts solar on the roof.
Wrangler JK dinghy
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