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06-09-2018, 03:26 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Quantum 31WS
State: Arizona
Posts: 121
THOR #7419
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Chassis battery
Have a 17 Quantum C. Sitting at a park 2 weeks connected to 30A shorepower. Battery switch in use position. Reading 13.2 on volt meter in float charge.
House batteries ok. Chassis battery dead when i tried to start engine. Why? Any ideas?
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06-09-2018, 11:10 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Michigan
Posts: 542
THOR #9522
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I was told directly by Thor that class C coaches don't charge the chassis battery from anything other than the alternator. I'm going to add a disconnect to mine and possibly a battery minder . You could run a battery minder off the coach outside outlet for the chassis battery.
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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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06-09-2018, 01:20 PM
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#3
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Freedom Elite 22fe
State: North Carolina
Posts: 45
THOR #11657
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I am confused why would sitting two weeks anywhere make your engine battery go dead without being on a charge. What draw does it have if your on shore power. My C sits for weeks at a time at the house and never have an issue with rig battery . My radio runs off house battery so where is the draw if the engine is shut off. Even with the house battery running what is the draw?
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06-09-2018, 01:23 PM
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#4
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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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They probably keep the chassis battery "isolated", so that you don't inadvertently run it down...
(But you can tie in the coach batteries for some help with the starting chores: should the need arise...)
If the engine is running: you also get sine charging in the coach batteries...
But the reverse isn't true?
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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06-09-2018, 01:46 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Florida
Posts: 1,241
THOR #1249
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If you have one of the infamous Harris batteries that seem to die quickly, you may want to change it for a much better name brand.
Also, add a knife switch disconnect to your neg. post to stop parasitic draw when in storage.
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Former owner of 2015 Thor Vegas 24.1 in Ocala
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06-09-2018, 01:49 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: Michigan
Posts: 542
THOR #9522
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
They probably keep the chassis battery "isolated", so that you don't inadvertently run it down...
(But you can tie in the coach batteries for some help with the starting chores: should the need arise...)
If the engine is running: you also get sine charging in the coach batteries...
But the reverse isn't true?
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Not according to Thor for their Cs. As yes, Cs no.
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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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06-09-2018, 01:53 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 274
THOR #10354
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Battery dies
Check the obvious: Headlight , parking lights, ignition key/accessories. Then check the alternator for a shorted diode (there are 3). Take the chassis battery terminal off and measure the current flowing in the ignition off position with a volt/ohm/ammeter. The battery might also be at fault with a shorted cell due to age or just failure.
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06-09-2018, 01:56 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Thor Vegas 25.2
State: Indiana
Posts: 301
THOR #7993
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I don't understand this at all. The battery in my car and F150 can sit for months and still start the vehicle. I have never had to worry about this in any of my vehicles. Why does it happen in an RV?
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06-09-2018, 02:14 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 274
THOR #10354
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jb1911
I don't understand this at all. The battery in my car and F150 can sit for months and still start the vehicle. I have never had to worry about this in any of my vehicles. Why does it happen in an RV?
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Obviously, something is wrong. This is not normal as you have stated.
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06-09-2018, 07:42 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Quantum 31WS
State: Arizona
Posts: 121
THOR #7419
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcr1010
If you have one of the infamous Harris batteries that seem to die quickly, you may want to change it for a much better name brand.
Also, add a knife switch disconnect to your neg. post to stop parasitic draw when in storage.
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It's a Ford Motorcraft battery which are usually quite reliable.
Already replaced the Harris house batteries with Trojans.
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06-09-2018, 07:56 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Florida
Posts: 1,241
THOR #1249
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You can try and track the parasitic draw down, but I would throw in the towel and put a knife switch on it and be done with it. That is what I had to do.
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Former owner of 2015 Thor Vegas 24.1 in Ocala
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06-10-2018, 01:33 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 22E
State: Illinois
Posts: 117
THOR #10965
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Is it possible that the solenoid connecting the chassis to the house battery is stuck in the closed position so the charge is being drawn down?
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FMCA Member F484487
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06-10-2018, 01:52 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Quantum 31WS
State: Arizona
Posts: 121
THOR #7419
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogie
Is it possible that the solenoid connecting the chassis to the house battery is stuck in the closed position so the charge is being drawn down?
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Is that the solenoid that comes into play wnen the emergency start switch is engaged?
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06-10-2018, 05:06 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 22E
State: Illinois
Posts: 117
THOR #10965
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Yes. On mine it also charges the house battery after the engine is running for 12 seconds.
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FMCA Member F484487
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06-10-2018, 05:23 PM
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#15
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcr1010
You can try and track the parasitic draw down, but I would throw in the towel and put a knife switch on it and be done with it. That is what I had to do.
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So did I...
http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1528651412
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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06-10-2018, 05:32 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 24TX (Formerly)
State: California
Posts: 1,459
THOR #5821
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Some vehicles, by design have a parasitic electrical drain, in some cases a computer that runs diagnostics even when the ignition is off. One of my cars came with a paragraph in the manual that says, never leave parked for more than 28 days, as the battery will be drained enough to not allow it to start. My former DP would drain both chassis batteries in two weeks, until I installed a small intelligent charger connected to the chassis batteries, that would power up when ever the generator ran or it was plugged into shore power.
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