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Old 07-21-2020, 02:36 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 34B
State: California
Posts: 22
THOR #19439
Chassis battery dead! It's a CONSPIRACY!

2008 Four Winds Hurricane 34B.

Been at a campground for 4 days since last started the engine. I noticed the blue light on our 12volt cigarette lighter adapter-splitter was out. I've been charging things from it becaus the 4x USB ports are convenint and the dashcam runs off of it 24/7. The chassis battery went dead somewhere aroud noon today because that's when the dashcam last recorded.

The engine fired right up using the AUX START from the coach batteries. I let it run for about 30 minutes while I took the opportunity to fill up on water and dump the grey tank. I pulled it back into spot and checked to see that it had charged... yup, engine fired right up normally.

Statement: I thought when plugged into shore power, the chassis battery was being charged, and I've been in the habit of clicking both the CHASSIS and COACH switches on the BATTERY STORAGE CONTROL PANEL to CONNECT when camped beause why not? The light for the chassis battery indicating "connected" stays lit at all times, and I remember the dealer telling me (I bought it used) that the switch may have been bypassed and doesn't function anyways.

Statement: I remember reading a thread about some critical 12volt failure mode in some older Thor's that would cause the entire 12volt system to shut off while driving and killing all power to the entire motorhome, including the engine... and one of the fixes was to bypass the chassis battery disconnect. AS far as I can tell, the green LED on the chassis disconnect switch stays lit at all times, and I can't hear any tell-tale click/thunk/thud of a breaker or solenoid doing it's thing. The coach battery switch definitely thunks and the sound comes from the area where the coach batteries are located... but that little green LED doesn't not come on.

QUESTION #1: How can I verify if my chassis battery disconnect works or has been bypassed?

QUESTION #2: Should my chassis battery be charging on shore power and/or with the generator running?

QUESTION #3: Does the 12volt lighter socket on the dash run directly off the chassis battery, and if not being charged, I simply drained it over a few days with the dashcam and charging phones? Would the possible bypassed disconnect switch have any affect on this?

QUESTION #4: What do the green LED's indicate on the BATTERY STORAGE CONTROL PANEL?

OH YEAH!!! Almost forgot thanks to the crew for answering all my question in my into thread... decided it was time to make some new threads instead of clogging that one with all your good information that nobody will find.

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Old 07-21-2020, 01:05 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31D
State: Virginia
Posts: 137
THOR #5638
QUESTION #1: How can I verify if my chassis battery disconnect works or has been bypassed?
ANSWER #1: Activate the chassis disconnect and try and start the engine. If the engine starts the disconnect doesn't disconnect.

QUESTION #2: Should my chassis battery be charging on shore power and/or with the generator running?
ANSWER #2: I believe it should as my 2006 Hurricane 31D will. If your coach has an Intellitec Battery Control Center use the attached PDF to verify it is cross connecting both battery banks correctly. If your coach has something else then use the doc as a guide to the theory of operation of the disconnect and charging circuit.

QUESTION #3: Does the 12volt lighter socket on the dash run directly off the chassis battery, and if not being charged, I simply drained it over a few days with the dashcam and charging phones? Would the possible bypassed disconnect switch have any affect on this?
ANSWER #3: Not sure. The dash power points on my coach are powered from the house batteries as is the dash radio also. The only thing on the chassis not chassis related are the entry steps.

QUESTION #4: What do the green LED's indicate on the BATTERY STORAGE CONTROL PANEL?
ANSWER #4: The lights, if correctly wire and not altered by a prior owner, indicate the associated DC bus has power and not necessarily that the batteries have been disconnected. For example if the coach is on shore power or generator and the AC to DC converter is operating the led for the house will be lite even if you physically remove the batteries.

If everything is working as it should, or at least how my coach works, keep the batteries connected except when you are storing the coach and do not have shore power available. A disconnected battery will not be charged by the house side AC to DC converter/charger.

The images are my battery control center. The actual disconnect and aux start solenoids are behind the circuit board. Had to replace the chassis disconnect 9 years ago.
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2006 Hurricane 31D built on a 2006 Ford F53
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Old 07-22-2020, 01:58 AM   #3
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 34B
State: California
Posts: 22
THOR #19439
SWEET, very thorough explanations... I'll be putting all that knowledge to the test tomorrow when it's not raining. I'll be back with more data, but hopefully no more questions. Thanks for the "quote" answer style you used to reply... super helpful for me to follow along!
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