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07-31-2018, 10:13 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Palazzo 33.2
State: Georgia
Posts: 269
THOR #8078
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Advice on Routine Battery Maintenance
I have the Original Thor batteries in my 2014 Palazzo 33.2. The primary load stress is keeping the fridge going while traveling or stopping in areas without shore power. They still hold a charge reasonably well. I check the fluid level periodically. My questions are 1 - easiest way to add top-off water; 2 - advice on any recommend periodic "supercharging" procedure; 3 - life expectancy for these OEM batteries.
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07-31-2018, 10:30 PM
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#2
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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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1. I just pull mine, and top them off with an eyedropper.
2. I wouldn't worry about "supercharging" them: you've found a way to make them last!
3. I've heard of folks killing the OEM batteries in less than a year.. and I've heard of them lasting up to five years.
Yours are definitely lasting longer than a lot of them!
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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08-01-2018, 12:37 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: SOB 2014 Meridian 36M
State: Washington
Posts: 981
THOR #7205
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rudyhehn
I have the Original Thor batteries in my 2014 Palazzo 33.2. The primary load stress is keeping the fridge going while traveling or stopping in areas without shore power. They still hold a charge reasonably well. I check the fluid level periodically. My questions are 1 - easiest way to add top-off water; 2 - advice on any recommend periodic "supercharging" procedure; 3 - life expectancy for these OEM batteries.
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I like the Flow rite qwik fill systems. I have the low profile model for the tight clearance I have. https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-MP2.../dp/B001FCAXZO
I don't know anything about a super-charge.
And, life expectancy... you are on borrowed time! ;O
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Pat & Becky & now Katie
Wenatchee, WA
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08-01-2018, 10:54 AM
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#4
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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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Just like the rest of us...I think they are preparing for retirement. Four years is above average and waiting for total failure will end up catching you in the middle of nowhere. Any auto parts store that sells batteries or a NAPA can perform a load test on them for you. That's the best indication or current state.
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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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08-01-2018, 11:46 AM
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#5
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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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Yup! Change them when it's convenient for you: not when Murphy's Law bites you on the bottom.
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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08-01-2018, 02:11 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Georgia
Posts: 844
THOR #1123
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I’ve had my OEM Harris batteries 4 years as of this past mid July and they’re still behaving like new, but after reading these post, I’m getting a little antsy. Big trip planned for all of October. Not ready to tackle the dreaded chassis battery change out just yet. Might just change the house batteries and keep fingers crossed.
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08-01-2018, 02:22 PM
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#7
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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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I was in the battery business for years...years ago. Not a lot has changed with the technology. A good load test is still the best medicine for overall condition and can save lots of money with premature replacement. Charge them up full and zap them with a load tester. It will not lie. Many people think their batteries are bad/going bad but it could be caused by many other conditions. They replace them only to find out it was something else. Load testing was the only method we used when evaluating condition of returned batteries for warranty replacement...or not.
__________________
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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08-01-2018, 02:29 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Georgia
Posts: 844
THOR #1123
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton
I was in the battery business for years...years ago. Not a lot has changed with the technology. A good load test is still the best medicine for overall condition and can save lots of money with premature replacement. Charge them up full and zap them with a load tester. It will not lie. Many people think their batteries are bad/going bad but it could be caused by many other conditions. They replace them only to find out it was something else. Load testing was the only method we used when evaluating condition of returned batteries for warranty replacement...or not.
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Thanks for the advice. Will do that prior to trip.
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08-02-2018, 04:09 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Tuscany XTE 36MQ
State: Louisiana
Posts: 129
THOR #4843
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One item of note - You stated they are loaded by the refrigerator while driving. This should not occur. If you are running off the batteries while driving you have a problem with your Bird or more likely your Trombetta relay. Your alternator should power and keep batteries charged while driving.
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08-02-2018, 04:39 PM
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#10
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.4
State: Texas
Posts: 69
THOR #11738
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Battery Queston
2018 Thor ACE, does it have 6 or 12 volt house batteries? Looks like a pain to change em.
Thanks
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08-02-2018, 05:03 PM
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#11
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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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If you think that changing them looks like a pain: imagine how much fun it's going to be, when you've got no choice in the matter!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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08-02-2018, 05:41 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chammock
2018 Thor ACE, does it have 6 or 12 volt house batteries? Looks like a pain to change em.
Thanks
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At the risk of generalizing and having someone say theirs is different...
Typically Thor gas MHs - including Ace - will come with 12v batteries... One or Two depending on model.
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Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
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08-02-2018, 05:45 PM
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#13
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.4
State: Texas
Posts: 69
THOR #11738
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Yep, mine has two in the compartment with the hydraulics
Thanks a bunch
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08-02-2018, 05:48 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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Mine were packed away under the stairs...
There was almost no free space around them, and you couldn't get underneath the steps to loosen their tethers.
But Old Age and Treachery prevailed!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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08-02-2018, 05:51 PM
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#15
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.4
State: Texas
Posts: 69
THOR #11738
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I have plenty of old age and treachery but short on grey matter
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08-02-2018, 06:02 PM
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#16
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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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__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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08-02-2018, 06:18 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
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an old fashion ketchup squirt bottle works well, ours rarely needs any water, and are holding up fine after 4 years, 84,000 miles, and many, many overnights off-grid
the few times I’ve felt the batteries not performing as expected, I equalized them, and all is well : )
__________________
the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
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08-02-2018, 06:32 PM
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#18
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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's a good idea!
Question: Do you take any special precautions in order to insure that they're clean enough to not mess up the distilled water?
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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08-02-2018, 09:46 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Palazzo 33.2
State: Georgia
Posts: 269
THOR #8078
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How do you equalize the batteries, and does that prolong the battery life?
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08-02-2018, 10:23 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
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to equalize(refer to your Magnum ME-RC Manual)
- plug into shore power
- when the Charger is in Absorb mode, press and hold the CHARGER button until the screen changes to EQUALIZING
- it will ‘overcharge’ the battery bank for 4 hours, then it will go back into regular Charge mode when complete
__________________
the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
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