Can zero maintainance batteries be used as house batteries

[fhenn]

Harris Battery?? there is a thread here on the problems they have had with Harris

[junior30]

Yes Harris batteries. I will check out the other thread. Thanks.

[DocMike]

Junior,

Go to the Maintenance and Repair section, then thread "Final Report: Harris Batteries & WFCO Charger/Converter" for my tale of woe with my dealings...be prepared, there will be nothing but finger pointing, a new term "Sulfate Dead" resulting with the owner (me) left holding the bag.

Good Luck.

Doc

[Yosemitebob]

It is funny how the WFCO charger works for all other batteries except Harris. I had Harris Batteries when I picked up my coach, but I already knew their reputation, I told them to change out the batteries right now or the deal its off. My wife said she couldn't believe how stern I was at that moment. Guess they caught it too, as they changed them out no question as to why even.

[Dan9841]

I am picking up my coach on Saturday. Hopefully they don't have these batteries in the 2016 ACE.

West,

If you read this post please confirm or deny.

I might have to get them to change the batteries too

[Yosemitebob]

People keep saying how Thor is still using Harris batteries, my guess is they bought a large supply and will use them until they are exhausted.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Yosemitebob

People keep saying how Thor is still using Harris batteries, my guess is they bought a large supply and will use them until they are exhausted.

Until the word gets out and people make the dealers change the batteries as a condition of sale they will keep being used in motor homes (not just Thor) because they are cheap (in more ways than one). Since the dealers own the coaches on their lots they will have to absorb the cost or convince Thor that they need to change suppliers.

[junior30]

I called my dealer and before I finished talking said your batteries are bad. So he definitely knew about the issue. His response was when you bring it in we will take care of it.

[Yosemitebob]

Dave, I hope your right, but it is a small item that the dealers will just pass on to the customer that is buying the product. Dealers know now, they are just ready to change them if requested or demanded to do so.

[DocMike]

All,

That is the value of open Forums like this.

Keep sharing the good, the bad and the ugly.

Doc

[Oneilkeys]

For what is is worth, I had problems with my Harris batteries for the first year I had my Vegas 24.1, bit the bullet and bought two 29's from Walmart before our trip to Alaska and have had zero problems since.

[petef]

I had / did the same on my 27K. Harris batteries suck

Originally Posted by Oneilkeys

For what is is worth, I had problems with my Harris batteries for the first year I had my Vegas 24.1, bit the bullet and bought two 29's from Walmart before our trip to Alaska and have had zero problems since.

[ETS]

When we picked up our new VEGAS 24.1 4/2015 the house batteries were dead. CW did a quick charge. Drove the unit home and noticed that the battery charge lights had dropped to less than a half. Called Harris and was told to remove batteries and charge them. Did that, reinstalled and indicator lights showed fully charged. I checked daily and observed the battery indicators lights slowly moving to the discharged level while I had 30 maqp service to the unit and converter was on. Called THOR - discovered that the USE/Store solenoid was not staying engaged. THOR said that the solenoid must be engaged before any type of charge gets to the house batteries.
After running down wiring and replacing solenoid I still have the problem. What I discovered is that the USE/Store switch has to stay engaged for the solenoid to stay engaged. So for now I jam a pen top into the switch to keep it and the solenoid engaged. I am not to crazy, this was a recommendation from THOR. It has been that way since April and the batteries have maintained a charge.

I am taking it in for some other work after the winter. All and all we are very pleased with our RUV. We had had boats prior to the RUV and are pretty accustomed to having to figure stuff out on our own.

[DocMike]

FINAL CHAPTER: One and all, after working my battery problem with Thor, Harris (flat out denied warranty coverage), WFCO (our product -the converter- is fine) and CW of Statesville it is finally over after 10+ months.

I took the address given on another thread on this forum and wrote a very detailed letter (with all the documentation I had) to the CEO, President and Director Thor Industries Inc. a Mr. Robert Martin.

This past Friday I received a call at home from Thor, they left a message and I returned the call today. A very polite young lady listened to me and assured me a check was to be sent out this month.

Thanks to all with support, technical assistance, ideas and - of course - the address .
Doc

[srolfe]

All my batteries on my 2014 Vegas were dead within 6 months of buying my unit. I replaced them and have not had any problems since, and yes, the originals were Harris batteries. If this were a fault of equipment installed by Thor, I would think that the same problems would appear after replacing the original batteries. Unless Thor somehow mishandled the Harris batteries and damaged them before installation. What I find hard to believe is that they are still installing them, what happened?, did they buy a 5 year supply of cheap batteries?

[DocMike]

Srolfe,

Good question, either cheap or easily damaged batteries!! With damage that can happen BEFORE the purchase of Unit as I have had no more problems once I replaced the Harris Batteries and have provided appropriate care/handeling of the new batteries.

Doc

[BAHEMI]

I read About these batteries on this website before I took possession and made the dealer change all three they put brand new interstate batteries in thank you Thor forum

[BAHEMI]

So if you blow out all the water do you really need to winterize ? Just saying . I used to do that to my cabin cruiser and never had a issue and it gets cold here in WA ST .

[BAHEMI]

Originally Posted by BAHEMI

I read About these batteries on this website before I took possession and made the dealer change all three they put brand new interstate batteries in thank you Thor forum

Originally Posted by dstankov

Temps here are knocking on the freezing door already and I have a trip to Charleston, SC being planned for December.

Heat blankets - My Forest River Class C had what they refer to as the "Artic Pack" which were thermostatically controlled 12VDC heat blankets around the tanks. I also had a furnace duct in the compartment that housed the whole house water filter and pump. When I had the "Artic" switch on the blankets came on when the temp dropped to 34 degrees and kept the tanks at that temp. The filter and pump was not warmed unless I had the furnace on.

Now a system that has worked good for me over the past few years is at this time I will connect my air compressor to the city water connection on the coach and with the compressor set to 35 PSI I will blow out the water lines by opening the faucets in the coach one-by-one until all water is blown out. Prior to doing this I will drain the fresh water tank, remove the whole house filter element and drain the hot water tank. I will also disconnect the water line for the refrigerator's ice maker.

After my last trip of the year, normally December or January, I will then do the complete winterization to include anti-freeze.

So if you blow out all the water do you really need to winterize ? Just saying . I used to do that to my cabin cruiser and never had a issue and it gets cold here in WA ST .

[samven]

I think if you blow out the lines you will be fine. I add the RV antifreeze to the drains so that they dont freeze or go dry and let black or grey tank gasses back into the RV. And yes I do clean them before storage but since I cant actually see inside them I feel better safe than sorry.
As a side note to the battery problems mentioned above, I bought a 6w coleman solar panel and have it mounted at an angle to a saw horse. I put it out facing south and connected to the house batteries. It wont really charge them but it does keep them hot, I dont like leaving the RV plugged in all the time. Too much chance of something going wrong when I am not around.