Four Batteries?

bushmg · 06-27-2018, 07:49 PM

Howdy!

I have a 2017 Thor Four Winds 31L that I bought used. The brochure states that it comes with a tray for 4 house batteries, but mine only has 2. I am thinking about going with solar and 4 batteries, but I don't see how or where they would fit. Does anyone else have a 4-battery setup that can help me out?

Thanks!
Mike

AA5XF

99dart · 06-27-2018, 08:45 PM

I have a Quantum WS31 (same as a 31W). It had two batteries, but has a tray that fits four. The other two tuck up under & behind the step. I would measure the height clearance carefully. If you get the idea to switch to 4-6 volt batteries I hope you are good at fabricating! I installed 4 in mine, not for the faint of heart.

Bob Denman · 06-27-2018, 10:07 PM

If you've got the room, the skills, and the inclination: please be sure to take lots of pictures for us!
Good luck!

bushmg · 06-27-2018, 10:42 PM

Thank you 99dart. My two 12-volt batteries fit in the tray under and behind the step, and BTW, it is a PAIN to get them out and replace them! You have to unscrew and remove the hinged step in order to get the clearance to lift them out. Anyway, where would the other 2 batteries go? I guess I could use the nearest storage compartment, but it would have to be reinforced. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

jpmihalk · 06-27-2018, 11:43 PM

Our Hurricane had a battery compartment with a tray that holds 4 batteries, 3 side by side and a fourth longways behind and next to the buss. We also installed solar to help keep the batteries charged when boondocking/tailgating. Our batteries are AGMs (not traditional sealed lead acid) which can be mounted on their sides... just food for thought.

kwplot34 · 06-28-2018, 06:23 AM

I also have the 31L and have 2 12V batteries under the step, tight fit. I believe if you want 4 batteries you have to go with 6V bateeries because there is no way 4 12v batteries will fit in the tray.

jabrabu · 06-28-2018, 12:12 PM

I have a 31E and looking from the top you see the 2 batteries and it doesn't look as if there is room for more. But if you look underneath, the battery box extends under the coach so you can fit 2 more batteries inboard. Once installed it would be nearly impossible to access those additional 2 batteries for maintenance, so you probably want to use AGM or some other zero-maintenance batteries.

Peterrrr · 07-01-2018, 10:45 AM

I have a 31Y model where the tray as others have stated allows for the addition of two more batteries. I added a third battery only. Bought it at Home Depot and the battery matches the two which came with the motorhome. They are Excide Nautilus 31MDC Deep Cycle Marine batteries. Adding the third battery is very challenging. I do not believe you could add a fourth battery with the amount of clearance you have. I had to add the cables to the additional battery then slide it to the back then add the original battery in and then connect the cables. Maintenance , checking of the water levels is impossible without removing the cables and one of the batteries and then sliding the additional battery to the front. Even adding an automatic watering system is next to impossible with the clearance available. When these batteries die, as others have stated, I will replace them with maintenance free AGMs.

99dart · 07-01-2018, 02:30 PM

As everyone else chimed in, the second pair of batteries slide back behind the first two. I installed Interstate GC2 6v with the Flow rite quick fill system. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B001FCAX...a_rscomp_aapi1

99dart · 07-01-2018, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushmg

Thank you 99dart. My two 12-volt batteries fit in the tray under and behind the step, and BTW, it is a PAIN to get them out and replace them! You have to unscrew and remove the hinged step in order to get the clearance to lift them out. Anyway, where would the other 2 batteries go? I guess I could use the nearest storage compartment, but it would have to be reinforced. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

I would look up under the motorhome to see what you have for a tray. If it appears to be able to fit 4 batteries, do some measuring, then look at battery dimensions.
This AGM from Apex appears to be about an inch shorter than the wet cells I installed. That would be a game changer had I found these earlier! https://www.apexbattery.com/universa...gel-seale.html

99dart · 07-01-2018, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

If you've got the room, the skills, and the inclination: please be sure to take lots of pictures for us!
Good luck!

Hi Bob, I didn't take a bunch of pictures there isn't much to see! LOL But, here is what it looks like before/after dropping the 4th battery in place. The last picture is a main wiring cable that was badly pinched between the battery box assembly and the frame. I used a 90 degree air grinder w/a cut off wheel to cut away the offending steel.

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