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07-23-2018, 01:38 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Texas
Posts: 14
THOR #6110
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Chassis battery won't stay charged
2017 Challenger
Plugged in to 50A and for the second time in 3 months my engine battery is dead as a doornail. I replaced it a couple months ago because it wouldn't hold a charge. As soon as I put it in the MH started right up.
7 weeks later even the horn won't honk. Nada.
Pretty sure I had switch in "Store" position but can't be positive.
What's goin on here and how do I fix this?
Thx
__________________
David & Suzanne
2017 Challenger 37YT
Jeep Rubicon 4Dr Toad
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07-23-2018, 02:09 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
Posts: 4,180
THOR #6411
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If you are plugged into shore power, the engineers that designed your electrical system ASSUMED you are using your coach; therefore, the store/use switch would always be in the USE position. The batteries (house and coach) will not charge if the store/use switch is in the STORE position. The only time you should turn the store /use switch to STORE is when the coach is NOT connected to shore power and you don't plan on using the coach for a couple days or more. Thus, to charge the chassis battery the engine must be running or the store/use switch must be in the USE position.
__________________
Jim & Roy Davis
2016 Hurricane 31S
1961 Rampside in tow
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07-23-2018, 02:22 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,359
THOR #7035
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I agree with Beau on putting the USE/STORE switch in USE if the coach is plugged in.
I'm not so sure the chassis battery isn't supposed to charge when plugged in regardless of the position of the USE/STORE switch as that switch (relay) just disconnects the house batteries from the DC buss. If the voltage on the DC buss is high enough above the chassis battery voltage, shouldn't the cross-connect engage and charge the chassis battery?
I'd be looking at that cross-connect relay. Start by engaging the emergency start switch and see if it switches position.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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07-23-2018, 02:30 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Texas
Posts: 14
THOR #6110
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Thanks.
Im a slow learner so be patient.......
I don't savvy how it drained the chassis battery if:
a. It was in "Store" position and should not have had any drain; or,
b. It was in "Use" position and was on 50A shore power
I'm horribly inept when it comes to electrical stuff. Like the worst.
__________________
David & Suzanne
2017 Challenger 37YT
Jeep Rubicon 4Dr Toad
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07-23-2018, 02:39 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,359
THOR #7035
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Well that's the second part of the mystery.
1. Why wasn't it kept charged regardless of the USE/STORE switch position?
2. What could be draining it?
Your dash radio does have a constant 12 VDC line to maintain memory settings that goes to the chassis battery. I'm not sure what other constant 12 VDC load would come off the chassis battery.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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07-23-2018, 02:54 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
Posts: 4,180
THOR #6411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tfryman
Well that's the second part of the mystery.
1. Why wasn't it kept charged regardless of the USE/STORE switch position?
2. What could be draining it?
Your dash radio does have a constant 12 VDC line to maintain memory settings that goes to the chassis battery. I'm not sure what other constant 12 VDC load would come off the chassis battery.
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The entire front cap is powered by the chassis battery through the 100 amp circuit breaker under the hood by the chassis battery. The fuse panel down by the drivers left foot distributes that electricity. Things like mirror heat,mirror controls, fans, map lights, windshield wipers power to the jacks controller, ect. all come of the chassis battery. The only exceptions are the Ford supplied items, the chassis A/C, the radio and the 12 volt receptacles which are supplied by the Ford power distribution center..
__________________
Jim & Roy Davis
2016 Hurricane 31S
1961 Rampside in tow
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07-23-2018, 02:59 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,359
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beau388
The entire front cap is powered by the chassis battery through the 100 amp circuit breaker under the hood by the chassis battery. The fuse panel down by the drivers left foot distributes that electricity. Things like mirror heat,mirror controls, fans, map lights, windshield wipers power to the jacks controller, ect. all come of the chassis battery. The only exceptions are the Ford supplied items, the chassis A/C, the radio and the 12 volt receptacles which are supplied by the Ford power distribution center..
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But the question isn't what is powered by the chassis battery; the question is: What is continually powered by the chassis battery when the ignition is off that could be draining the chassis battery?
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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07-23-2018, 03:34 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Florida
Posts: 613
THOR #4366
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tfryman
But the question isn't what is powered by the chassis battery; the question is: What is continually powered by the chassis battery when the ignition is off that could be draining the chassis battery?
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This is a hard question to answer since it varies from model to model and within a model line.
The computer(s) that Ford install for the engine are powered all the time for sure. on our Axis the camera splitter is powered all the time.
There is also line from the parking break and something that looks at if the coach is in park that feeds the camera system to turn on the radio.
Batteries also self discharge about 1 to 3 percent a month.
__________________
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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07-23-2018, 03:49 PM
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#9
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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There seem to be lots of parasitic losses; that our batteries need to cope with!
About once a Month: I plug the coach in, and set the Use/Store switch to "Use"..
After it gets about a week's worth of juice: it gets unplugged, the switch gets set to "Store", AND I physically disconnect the batteries with a bayonet switch that I added.
No more batteries draining out so quickly!
http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1532360920
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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07-25-2018, 11:57 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Michigan
Posts: 542
THOR #9522
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Just a FYI but I was told by Thor directly that on my 31W class C the chassis battery is NOT charged by shore power. While it is on most class A coaches they don't set up C coaches that way. As always your situation may be different but I will add a disconnect to the chassis before winter along with one on the coach side too.
__________________
Pete and Carolynn Foss from Oxford, MI
2018 Four Winds 31W
1999 Aero Cub F-21 trailer
1977 Tioga 24 foot RV
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07-25-2018, 12:28 PM
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#11
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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 Troutkiller
Thanks.
Im a slow learner so be patient.......
I don't savvy how it drained the chassis battery if:
a. It was in "Store" position and should not have had any drain; or,
b. It was in "Use" position and was on 50A shore power
I'm horribly inept when it comes to electrical stuff. Like the worst.
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In the store position there is still considerable parasitic drain that will drain the batteries in a very short time. (varies from coach to coach and model)
I have never really figured out why the use/store switch even exists because there is still a drain on the batteries!!!
If you were plugged in and switch was in the use position your batteries should be charged, need to check your charger output.
__________________
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07-25-2018, 01:01 PM
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#12
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Here's a picture of the bayonet switch installed.
(Sorry about all of the dirt...)
http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1532523670
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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07-25-2018, 01:05 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
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Bob...I don't see any "fresh" signs in the dirt where you've checked your battery fluid levels lately. Those flat panels can be gently pried off. Let's get to it!!
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
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07-25-2018, 01:21 PM
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#14
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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That was the "Before" picture...
They're clean enough to eat off of now!
(By the way: good eyes!!)
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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07-25-2018, 01:32 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
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Worked as Marketing Manager for an oil company years ago (early retired from them) back when everything was full service and "gas stations" sold TBA...(Tires, Batteries & Accessories). Never have gotten over it. I'm the anal guy that will start critiquing your car when it hits my driveway. My kids make sure their oil is changed, tires rotated, etc., before they will come see me. I wish I could let it go!!
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
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07-25-2018, 01:33 PM
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#16
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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 petefoss
Just a FYI but I was told by Thor directly that on my 31W class C the chassis battery is NOT charged by shore power. While it is on most class A coaches they don't set up C coaches that way. As always your situation may be different but I will add a disconnect to the chassis before winter along with one on the coach side too.
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Easy enough to check with a voltmeter if Thor is correct or not.
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07-25-2018, 02:15 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Michigan
Posts: 542
THOR #9522
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True and I plan too.
__________________
Pete and Carolynn Foss from Oxford, MI
2018 Four Winds 31W
1999 Aero Cub F-21 trailer
1977 Tioga 24 foot RV
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07-25-2018, 04:05 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Florida
Posts: 613
THOR #4366
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperD
In the store position there is still considerable parasitic drain that will drain the batteries in a very short time. (varies from coach to coach and model)
I have never really figured out why the use/store switch even exists because there is still a drain on the batteries!!!
If you were plugged in and switch was in the use position your batteries should be charged, need to check your charger output.
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On our Axis the use/store switch only connects or disconnects the house batteries from the DC distribution panel. While this is typical for RV's it may not always be the case.
With our current set up and the use/store switch in store there is still a 0.1 amp draw on the house batteries 24/7. About half that is our solar system electronics. I also disable the Trombetta isolation between the cranking and house batteries to insure there is no draw that way.
__________________
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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07-25-2018, 07:08 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.4
State: Tennessee
Posts: 209
THOR #12170
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton
Bob...I don't see any "fresh" signs in the dirt where you've checked your battery fluid levels lately. Those flat panels can be gently pried off. Let's get to it!!
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How often should battery fluid levels be checked? I on other vehicles I've had, I check every three months or so.
__________________
2018 Axis 25.4
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07-25-2018, 07:12 PM
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#20
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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I'm figuring that a three Month cycle should be plenty safe enough...
After a couple of cycles: you can always stretch it out a bit...
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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