|
11-17-2017, 05:35 PM
|
#1
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Illinois
Posts: 95
THOR #7230
|
Class C winterize/ batteries
For those in cold climates only. During the winter months when your class C is sitting in storage do you leave the batteries in or take them out. This is for people that do not have a way to plug in at the storage facility.
I want to be able to start up the coach say once a month. So do I take them home and bring them back each time? Or do I just leave them installed?
This is my first winter with a Class C
__________________
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 05:40 PM
|
#2
|
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
|
On my Axis (a Class C in A's clothing) I have to leave the chassis battery in as I would have to dismantle part of the dash to get it out.
I put battery disconnects on both and leave them in the coach. In addition, I occasionally visit, connect the batteries, and run both the engine and genny to get them both up to operating temp (and to re-charge the batteries). Then disconnect both batteries before I leave.
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 06:15 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
|
Leave the batteries in...
Important to understand if your disconnects are 'complete' - or to add disconnects or find/address the drain.
My 2 rigs - the disconnects have been 'complete' - and when winter storing in Michigan I always left the batteries in... (current rig doesn't have a chassis disconnect - and still does fine for months).
A good/charged battery has no issues with freezing (at any temp the continental US will see)... A dead battery will freeze/crack - so do want to be sure all loads are off.
__________________
Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
|
|
|
11-17-2017, 08:21 PM
|
#4
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Illinois
Posts: 95
THOR #7230
|
Thanks
__________________
|
|
|
11-19-2017, 06:21 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Michigan
Posts: 542
THOR #9522
|
On this subject, is there a good battery monitor I can add to see what's going in or coming out of the batteries? Best I have right now built in is the inverter control panel. I get a good reading on the battery voltage if I'm on battery with use on and the fridge off. Or on shore power with use off since the converter is not charging.
be nice to know what the charge or discharge currents are???
Pete
PS. Generator started much easier if when I primed it .
__________________
Pete and Carolynn Foss from Oxford, MI
2018 Four Winds 31W
1999 Aero Cub F-21 trailer
1977 Tioga 24 foot RV
|
|
|
11-19-2017, 10:45 PM
|
#6
|
Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,396
THOR #7035
|
Pete,
This is what I installed in my ACE. Only issue is; unless you attach the shunt sensing wires through a DPDT switch you can either read current in, or current out. The switch allows you to see the current in both directions.
__________________
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
|
|
|
11-20-2017, 12:12 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 25.2
State: Oregon
Posts: 272
THOR #6934
|
I have always removed the coach batteries and left the Chassis battery in. It usually gets below Zero many times per year here. I put the coach batteries in a warm dry place. Then stop by and run the MH at least once a month.
Although it has a battery switch, it is my understanding that the Alarms, Fire, Propane,CO, are around the Switch. and I know the demand water heater is, because it will fire for self protection even if it is in store position.
Doing this has worked well for me. I store inside but no heat.
__________________
|
|
|
11-20-2017, 11:52 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Michigan
Posts: 542
THOR #9522
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tfryman
Pete,
This is what I installed in my ACE. Only issue is; unless you attach the shunt sensing wires through a DPDT switch you can either read current in, or current out. The switch allows you to see the current in both directions.
|
Hi Ted Did you forget a link or photo?
__________________
Pete and Carolynn Foss from Oxford, MI
2018 Four Winds 31W
1999 Aero Cub F-21 trailer
1977 Tioga 24 foot RV
|
|
|
12-04-2017, 12:59 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Michigan
Posts: 542
THOR #9522
|
Is it safe to charge coach batteries with an external charger? I was thinking of running mine down and measuring what went back is as a test of battery quality (or lack thereof).
__________________
Pete and Carolynn Foss from Oxford, MI
2018 Four Winds 31W
1999 Aero Cub F-21 trailer
1977 Tioga 24 foot RV
|
|
|
12-04-2017, 01:24 PM
|
#10
|
Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,396
THOR #7035
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by petefoss
Hi Ted Did you forget a link or photo?
|
I must have. Here it is:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
__________________
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
|
|
|
12-04-2017, 01:28 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Michigan
Posts: 542
THOR #9522
|
Thanks
__________________
Pete and Carolynn Foss from Oxford, MI
2018 Four Winds 31W
1999 Aero Cub F-21 trailer
1977 Tioga 24 foot RV
|
|
|
12-04-2017, 04:12 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: SOB 2014 Meridian 36M
State: Washington
Posts: 981
THOR #7205
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by petefoss
Is it safe to charge coach batteries with an external charger? I was thinking of running mine down and measuring what went back is as a test of battery quality (or lack thereof).
|
If you disconnect from shore power it is safe to charge the house batteries. You don't want to overcharge/overheat the batteries. I have been using one of these cheap, idiot proof battery testers for years. It shows me if the battery in question is good or bad without taking the word of a money hungry repairman.
https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-BT...ry+draw+tester
__________________
Pat & Becky & now Katie
Wenatchee, WA
|
|
|
12-04-2017, 05:16 PM
|
#13
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
Get yourself a Deltran Battery Tender, and you'll be good to go!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
12-04-2017, 05:16 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by petefoss
Is it safe to charge coach batteries with an external charger? I was thinking of running mine down and measuring what went back is as a test of battery quality (or lack thereof).
|
As stated, disconnect from shore power - and I would have coach in STORE (my disconnect is complete - no parasitic load)...
If your batteries are fortunate enough to have a label - see what discharge they are rated at... Typically house batteries are more deep cycle rather than starting - so CCA means little.
Of course deep discharge even for a deep cycle isn't recommended... Pick a safe cutoff voltage for the discharge (sounds typical from our R/C stuff...)
__________________
Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
|
|
|
12-04-2017, 05:18 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Michigan
Posts: 542
THOR #9522
|
I've got a good 2-15 amp smart charger already. As an electric model airplane flyer (like GMC) I've been maintaining 12V deep cycle source batteries for many years.
__________________
Pete and Carolynn Foss from Oxford, MI
2018 Four Winds 31W
1999 Aero Cub F-21 trailer
1977 Tioga 24 foot RV
|
|
|
02-19-2020, 04:02 PM
|
#16
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Indiana
Posts: 63
THOR #17892
|
Ted, I'll wiring in the same meter with 100A shunt. You mention wiring the shunt-sensing wires through a DPDT switch so that you can see current in both directions. Should I just split the leads from the meter into two leads each, and then attach the lead sets in a mirror image to each of the double pole sets?
Thanks in advance
Dave
__________________
|
|
|
02-19-2020, 04:32 PM
|
#17
|
Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,396
THOR #7035
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jdb
Ted, I'll wiring in the same meter with 100A shunt. You mention wiring the shunt-sensing wires through a DPDT switch so that you can see current in both directions. Should I just split the leads from the meter into two leads each, and then attach the lead sets in a mirror image to each of the double pole sets?
Thanks in advance
Dave
|
Here you go:
Substitute Meter for Motor
Substitute Shunt for 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
|
|
|
02-19-2020, 04:35 PM
|
#18
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Indiana
Posts: 63
THOR #17892
|
Thanks Ted!
__________________
|
|
|
02-20-2020, 12:50 AM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 25.2
State: Missouri
Posts: 1,038
THOR #4687
|
This is what I am using, mainly since it uses the flow through sensor..
This monitor will measure charging as well as discharging on the battery(s)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B4CWKRJ
__________________
2016 25.2 VEGAS with 2017 Jeep Wrangler AND Two Dogs; Norwegian Elkhound & Morkie (The RV is actually the Dog's)
|
|
|
02-20-2020, 12:57 AM
|
#20
|
Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,396
THOR #7035
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mo_Mike
|
Yeah, they didn't have that model when I installed mine. That is a much better purchase. So much so I may just upgrade to it.
__________________
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
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|