Thor 2024 Freedom Traveler A32 House Batteries?

[David_Reaves]

I just purchased a new motorhome, a 2024 Freedom Traveler A32 (which I'm told is essentially the same as the ACE 32B). I've already checked the Resource Center material and the batteries aren't listed. I've also sent an email to wsupport@tmcrv.com asking for the build sheet or at least the battery specs. Unfortunately, my batteries appear to be completely unlabeled.

I would like to have the amp hour ratings for the installed batteries so I can use an external bluetooth monitor. It should allow me to keep the batteries in better condition. Coincidentally, I discovered on the Serial Number Data Card that my installed converter is lithium enabled. So, after these batteries die I WILL be upgrading to LiFePO4 batteries. I know that these are 12V lead-acid batteries since there are 6 fill holes per battery AND they are wired in parallel.

Now, with all the background out of the way, does anyone happen to know what batteries were probably installed in my motorhome? Thank you.

David R

[macdaddy1111]

Originally Posted by David_Reaves

I just purchased a new motorhome, a 2024 Freedom Traveler A32 (which I'm told is essentially the same as the ACE 32B). I've already checked the Resource Center material and the batteries aren't listed. I've also sent an email to wsupport@tmcrv.com asking for the build sheet or at least the battery specs. Unfortunately, my batteries appear to be completely unlabeled.

I would like to have the amp hour ratings for the installed batteries so I can use an external bluetooth monitor. It should allow me to keep the batteries in better condition. Coincidentally, I discovered on the Serial Number Data Card that my installed converter is lithium enabled. So, after these batteries die I WILL be upgrading to LiFePO4 batteries. I know that these are 12V lead-acid batteries since there are 6 fill holes per battery AND they are wired in parallel.

Now, with all the background out of the way, does anyone happen to know what batteries were probably installed in my motorhome? Thank you.

David R

The cheapest ones they get in bulk!

Bluetooth shunt will tell you all the data you want.

[David_Reaves]

Originally Posted by macdaddy1111

The cheapest ones they get in bulk!

Bluetooth shunt will tell you all the data you want.

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, to get capacity/state of charge I need to know the amp hours of the batteries. My shunt shows current in or out and the voltage but without the amp hours I don't know how long they'll last. I can approximate remaining life with the 12V discharge curve, but that isn't necessarily all that accurate.

[DavidEM]

I suspect that most new RV batteries are installed by the dealer, so they could be anything. Most likely Group 27s which have an approximate amp hour rating of 75 Ahs each.

Realize that when you change to Li batteries you need to think about how you limit the load on your chassis alternator. Replacing your existing battery management system with a Precision Circuits Li-BIM 225 is one way.

David

[macdaddy1111]

Guess you need better shunt. victron 500 amp shunt is 130 dollars.

It will tell u everything.

[David_Reaves]

Originally Posted by macdaddy1111

Guess you need better shunt. victron 500 amp shunt is 130 dollars.

It will tell u everything.

That's the shunt I have. Page 10, section 4.1 of the manual is titled "Essential Settings". They include the battery capacity (amp hours), charged voltage value, and state of charge (synchonize when 100% charged). That's why I'm looking for the amp hour capacity. Without the correct capacity neither the remaining percent charge or time remaining estimate are accurate.

.

[David_Reaves]

Originally Posted by DavidEM

Realize that when you change to Li batteries you need to think about how you limit the load on your chassis alternator.

Thanks! It's been a while since I had a drivable recreational vehicle-- since before lithium batteries existed (commercially). I didn't even think about the alternator. Definitely something I'll have to research.

David R

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by macdaddy1111

Guess you need better shunt. victron 500 amp shunt is 130 dollars.

It will tell u everything.

A "better shunt" makes no difference unless it is programmed with correct parameters. A shunt simply measures the power that's passed through in either direction. The integrated software does the calculations and passes the data to the display.

In order to calculate and display the correct amp hours remaining at any given state of charge, the battery bank must first be FULLY charged... then the software needs to be told the battery bank total amp hours at 100% SOC.

This is true of the Victron shunt and a multitude of others. The shunt I installed was $35... and performs exactly like the Victron... except without the Bluetooth capability.

[David_Reaves]

Originally Posted by DavidEM

I suspect that most new RV batteries are installed by the dealer, so they could be anything. Most likely Group 27s which have an approximate amp hour rating of 75 Ahs each.

David

I got the the battery portion of the build sheet from Thor today. You were correct about group 27 batteries. However, the reserve capacity was given as 155 minutes. So the amp hour number is roughly 65, not 75 (or 100 as I'd hoped.) At least now I can configure my monitor so I get meaningful usage numbers. Thanks for your help.

[DavidEM]

Since your reserve capacity is 155 minutes that means it took that long at 25 amps to go dead. But amp hour ratings are based on discharging the battery over a 20 hour period and a battery can put out more amp hours at a lower discharge rate.

So I suspect you do have 75 amp hour batteries.

And FWIW, any battery that only gives you reserve capacity and not the 20 hr amp hour rating is very unlikely to be a true deep cycle battery. That means they won’t last as long.

David