|
|
11-16-2017, 06:51 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: California
Posts: 8
THOR #1647
|
One or two batteries
Hi , I own a Thor axis 2014 wanted to know if adding other battery will be worth the money. Only dry camp two weeks out of the year. Been ok with one.
__________________
|
|
|
11-16-2017, 06:56 PM
|
#2
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
Always opt for two...
Unless you can find room for four!
Seriously: do you find yourself wanting more power while you're off the grid?
Only you can make this decision...
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
11-16-2017, 08:24 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 27K
State: California
Posts: 623
THOR #2544
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by lomendo
Hi , I own a Thor axis 2014 wanted to know if adding other battery will be worth the money. Only dry camp two weeks out of the year. Been ok with one.
|
I always like to have more than I need but if you are okay with one, why spend the money. Keep in mind that every time you draw a battery below about half charge you are lessening the life of the battery.
__________________
This post is opinion based on experience.
2015 Hurricane 27K
2013 Sea Ray 220SD
|
|
|
11-16-2017, 11:04 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 25.2
State: Oregon
Posts: 272
THOR #6934
|
My Vegas has 2 and I was planning on adding more, but so far no problems, so I will wait until the need appears.
__________________
|
|
|
11-16-2017, 11:07 PM
|
#5
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
What do we want??
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 12:55 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 25.2
State: Missouri
Posts: 1,038
THOR #4687
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Whirnot
My Vegas has 2 and I was planning on adding more, but so far no problems, so I will wait until the need appears.
|
How long are you running yours before recharging (Genny, shore or alternator)?
Have two thinking of adding two more myself
__________________
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 02:50 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by brucev
I always like to have more than I need but if you are okay with one, why spend the money. Keep in mind that every time you draw a battery below about half charge you are lessening the life of the battery.
|
Battery life is lessen every time it's discharged, whether 25%, 50%, or 75%. Obviously the battery's life measured in cycles is reduced much faster as the depth of discharge is increased. I'm just saying the 50% number is just one data point that was selected as a good rule of thumb, but there is nothing magical about it.
What's interesting to consider is the economic value of having more batteries in order to discharge them less so they last more cycles. It turns out based on battery manufacturers' data that it doesn't really make that huge a difference over a wide range of depth of discharge.
Having said this, if it was me and my existing battery was getting the job done, I'd leave it alone until it dies. At that time I would replace it with two batteries to gain capacity. I would not add a new battery in parallel to the existing one that may be a few years old.
The OP didn't state if the battery was bad at present, but if that's the case, I'd go with two new matching ones.
__________________
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 03:08 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: S.O.B.
State: California
Posts: 1,368
THOR #3483
|
Then again... there is nothing much economical about a RV to begin with.... I just spent the $$$ having my two wet cell batteries, pieces of worthless crap that Thor installed, replaced with AGM 6 volt batteries instead. I now don't have to keep it plugged in to the shore power at home and just hit the "store" button.
__________________
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 12:12 PM
|
#9
|
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
|
You know, back in '14 when the Axis/Vegas line first came out we had to make do with only one crappy Harris battery and we liked it. Drove uphill both ways too.
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 12:34 PM
|
#10
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: thor 22FE
State: Georgia
Posts: 80
THOR #3371
|
only reason i added a 2nd was that starter boost switch. if something happens to drain my chassis battery i want the extra boost to get me started.
patrick
__________________
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 02:08 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: S.O.B.
State: California
Posts: 1,368
THOR #3483
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek
You know, back in '14 when the Axis/Vegas line first came out we had to make do with only one crappy Harris battery and we liked it. Drove uphill both ways too.
|
I understand Jamie.... Face it, lots of us just like to tweak these rigs...
__________________
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 03:54 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
|
I agree motorhomes and RVs are an expensive luxury, but that doesn't justify throwing money at every problem. The urge to upgrade is usually also limited by wanting to obtain value for the investment, otherwise we'd all be buying 20 kilowatt-hour lithium banks.
__________________
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 03:56 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Brand: Redwood
Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
Posts: 1,766
THOR #3610
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by axis earl
Then again... there is nothing much economical about a RV to begin with.... I just spent the $$$ having my two wet cell batteries, pieces of worthless crap that Thor installed, replaced with AGM 6 volt batteries instead. I now don't have to keep it plugged in to the shore power at home and just hit the "store" button.
|
There are numerous parasitic draws on your rv even with the switch in store mode that will discharge your $$$ 6 volts as well. The only 100% disconnect is to disconnect the ground cable from the coach frame.
__________________
Fulltimed 10+ years
Sold '13 Thor Redwood 36 FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 03:58 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Brand: Redwood
Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
Posts: 1,766
THOR #3610
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by axis earl
Then again... there is nothing much economical about a RV to begin with.... I just spent the $$$ having my two wet cell batteries, pieces of worthless crap that Thor installed, replaced with AGM 6 volt batteries instead. I now don't have to keep it plugged in to the shore power at home and just hit the "store" button.
|
There are numerous parasitic draws on your rv even with the switch in store mode that will discharge your $$$ 6 volts as well. The only 100% disconnect is to disconnect the ground cable from the coach frame or a manual disconnect on the ground cable.
__________________
Fulltimed 10+ years
Sold '13 Thor Redwood 36 FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 04:00 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Brand: Redwood
Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
Posts: 1,766
THOR #3610
|
Sorry for the double post, big fingers, small memory.
__________________
Fulltimed 10+ years
Sold '13 Thor Redwood 36 FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 04:16 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 24TX (Formerly)
State: California
Posts: 1,459
THOR #5821
|
One battery is ok, two are better, four better still, and six would probably be ideal, but they take space, and are heavy. We went from four house batteries in our former DP to two in the Gemini, didn't know any came with only one, which seems to me to be not enough.
__________________
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 04:20 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 24TX (Formerly)
State: California
Posts: 1,459
THOR #5821
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by axis earl
Then again... there is nothing much economical about a RV to begin with.... I just spent the $$$ having my two wet cell batteries, pieces of worthless crap that Thor installed, replaced with AGM 6 volt batteries instead. I now don't have to keep it plugged in to the shore power at home and just hit the "store" button.
|
If it were me, I would always opt to keep it plugged in. The converter will keep them fully charged and float the batteries when they reach the fully charged state. Much better for any battery to keep it as close to fully charged as possible, as long as you are using a 'smart' charger and do not overcharge.
__________________
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 04:25 PM
|
#18
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek
You know, back in '14 when the Axis/Vegas line first came out we had to make do with only one crappy Harris battery and we liked it. Drove uphill both ways too.
|
In the snow; right??
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 04:33 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
|
Depends on so much more than number of batteries, doesn't it?
Furnace blower is a big user overnight, but the size of furnace may be smaller in smaller rig. And/or furnace may not run as often in smaller rig. TVs are also very different. Some I have use over 100 watts (measured) and others less than 50 watts. LED lights use little power compared to some.
Just saying these differences may be greater than 1 vs 2 batteries. And then there is battery size itself, condition, etc...
I'd go with what works. It's hard to argue with success.
__________________
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 04:54 PM
|
#20
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
I agree: do what you can to reduce your power usage, and see how that works out for you first.
But I'm still not going to bed without my evening cup of tea (microwaved!)
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|