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Old 02-26-2017, 11:44 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Tennessee
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THOR #3372
Replacing the engine battery on Axis/Vegas 24.1

Has anyone taken the engine battery out of their 24.1 ? If so, how did you take it out ? Also, do you have two black ( approximately 4 inches in diameter ) flexible air ducts that are routed over/above the top of your engine battery ? They route fresh air into the engine compartment from the grill area.One of those ducts on my Axis 24.1 has gagged down over the past 14 months and apparently shorted out the engine battery and ruined the 12 volt power system. Those ducts have a wire running around them inside. If the black plastic gets rubbed off, big problems !! It melted part of the duct. I don't know how it was able to do this because there is a red plastic flap protector that covers the positive terminal of the battery. Hope to learn more once I get my coach back from CW. They have had it 3 weeks on Tuesday Feb 28, 2016. Takes time to get parts from Thor.

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Old 02-27-2017, 12:24 AM   #2
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From the inside passenger seat remove the desktop assembly. Then cut out the board on the lines provided and remove that piece. Battery is directly below.
I then took a piece of 1/8" pressboard and laid it in and replaced the desktop assembly. Total time less than 30 minutes
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Old 02-27-2017, 12:29 AM   #3
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Firstly you should call Thor: It usually doesn't take long to get parts from Thor. CW is notorious for bad service (including not putting in the parts order when they tell you to).

Here is a thread on the battery replacement (its for Axis' sister coach: Vegas): http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f4/...ment-5903.html
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Old 02-27-2017, 01:30 AM   #4
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THOR #17645
Nomad

Once you have desk top removed you will see that this is great storage space for seldom used items
I learned this last year when I could not get my battery out
Made a latch on inside and got Tupperware containers I store parts I know I will need some day
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Old 02-18-2020, 01:06 AM   #5
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THOR #18116
Easy Acess to Engine Battery

I Have a 2017 Thor Axis now for 2 Yrs. One of the first things I did to it was to make it easy to get to the engine battery for service. I put in a 16x14 hatch outside. It cost about $52.00. easy for me to do because I'm a self helper and if I can do it So can you. I just could not bring myself to cutting into the Dash. Besides, Battery is still hard to reach from up there. Just did not make any since to me. Clear Gorilla Glue was used for sealing the hatch. Now just 5 Minutes to replace battery.
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Old 02-18-2020, 01:18 AM   #6
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Great mod.. I wish you had posted this before I changed out the battery in my 2016 Axis last summer. But... Thor routed out the hole in the dash which is underneath the desk. It took 5 minutes to finish the cut and it is covered by the desk. DW has a hissy fit every time I drill or cut into the outside fiberglass on our boats or RVs. I can’t imagine her reaction when I cut a large hole in the side. It looks great and sure makes it easier to maintain the battery as well. Thanks for sharing.
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Old 02-18-2020, 01:23 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by idajoe View Post
I Have a 2017 Thor Axis now for 2 Yrs. One of the first things I did to it was to make it easy to get to the engine battery for service. I put in a 16x14 hatch outside. It cost about $52.00. easy for me to do because I'm a self helper and if I can do it So can you. I just could not bring myself to cutting into the Dash. Besides, Battery is still hard to reach from up there. Just did not make any since to me. Clear Gorilla Glue was used for sealing the hatch. Now just 5 Minutes to replace battery.
That's a really nice mod.
Please go to the link in my signature and tell us more about it.
I'm moving my battery to the front of the right wheel and I have other plans for where the battery currently is(I'm going to drop a combination safe in there) ... But you're swaying me...

Where did you buy the door kit?

What else have you done?
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Old 02-18-2020, 01:30 AM   #8
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I was a lobster fisherman in key west for 20 yrs and had a number of boats. Cutting into fiber glass was a needed and easy thing to do for me. What ever made my job easer and safer on my 43 FT Tories, was done. Thanks for your kind words.
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Old 02-18-2020, 02:01 AM   #9
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I’ve lived in Key Largo for 30 years and cut into many of my power and sal boats too. But always with trepidation.
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Old 02-18-2020, 02:14 AM   #10
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Spare tire on back bumper, sling for radio/back up camera plug in harness. I've done a number of up grades.
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Old 02-18-2020, 02:18 AM   #11
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Somebody's gotta say it. You can't bring yourself to cut into the precut plywood under the flip desk in the dash, but have no problem cutting a hole in the fiberglass side? If opposites attract, you and I would get along fine!

Thanks for sharing and including pictures.
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Old 02-18-2020, 02:49 AM   #12
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THOR #13932
I cut out under the desk just for the practice and to avail myself in an emergency battery replacement.

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/sh...8&postcount=73
The metal plate in the link is available at any hardware store.
I think paid $1.50 for two.
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Old 02-18-2020, 03:12 AM   #13
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I also do love the outdoor battery Mod! The only mod I would personally make to that mod is, have the door swing down. I will also say again when you live up North and it is 2 degrees and windy. Changing the battery thru the dash is a great job. Furnace Heat on, Tv on, Cold Beer on the dash sure beats freezing outside. Actually changing the battery thru the dash is REAL SIMPLE. I would suggest buying a $6.00 battery lift strap.
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Old 02-18-2020, 11:59 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oneilkeys View Post
Great mod.. I wish you had posted this before I changed out the battery in my 2016 Axis last summer. But... Thor routed out the hole in the dash which is underneath the desk. It took 5 minutes to finish the cut and it is covered by the desk. DW has a hissy fit every time I drill or cut into the outside fiberglass on our boats or RVs. I can’t imagine her reaction when I cut a large hole in the side. It looks great and sure makes it easier to maintain the battery as well. Thanks for sharing.
Ok, just to help me over my childhood fear of wet batteries, since there is no battery handle on the chassis battery, how do you raise the battery out and through the dash hole?

I know it probably isn't as "difficult" as my mind is making it....

(Definitely replacing with AGM in there)
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Old 02-19-2020, 12:19 AM   #15
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https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Battery+handle&ref=is_s

This is how to get a battery out painlessly and easily and fearlessly.
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Old 02-19-2020, 12:22 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by revjeffrey View Post
I would suggest buying a $6.00 battery lift strap.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mo_Mike View Post
Ok, just to help me over my childhood fear of wet batteries, since there is no battery handle on the chassis battery, how do you raise the battery out and through the dash hole?

I know it probably isn't as "difficult" as my mind is making it....

(Definitely replacing with AGM in there)
Look up
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Old 02-19-2020, 02:34 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 16ACE27 View Post
Look up
That’s how I did it. Or more correctly, how I had my son lift the old battery out and the new one in. Slowly and carefully.
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Old 02-19-2020, 03:01 PM   #18
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I fondly remember a one armed mechanic (WWII) in Los Osos that used a 1/2x10" galv nipple with an elbow that he'd slide on a terminal. He made it look so easy.
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Old 07-16-2020, 12:12 AM   #19
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THOR #19635
Question Replacement Chassis Battery

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mo_Mike View Post
Ok, just to help me over my childhood fear of wet batteries, since there is no battery handle on the chassis battery, how do you raise the battery out and through the dash hole?

I know it probably isn't as "difficult" as my mind is making it....

(Definitely replacing with AGM in there)

Curious what model AGM battery you would recommend. Our chassis battery is dead (<0.5V) and I think I need to replace it rather than trying to charge it. I'm hoping it just was an EOL failure and nothing is wrong electrically. This will be our first time having to access the battery via the dash. We have a 2016 Thor Vegas 24.1.

I don't know much about truck batteries, so any specific recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
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Old 07-16-2020, 03:06 AM   #20
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I thought that I read somewhere that you can turn the wheel tight and get the battery out that way or take the wheel off... don't know if that works though and I'm monitoring the responses.
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