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03-04-2017, 07:04 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 35.2
State: Colorado
Posts: 11
THOR #2742
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Thor factory installed batteries
Can anyone comment on the quality of the factory installed batteries on Thor Motorhome products? Poor, fair, good, excellent quality? How many years should one expect them to last? Many thanks in advance.
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03-04-2017, 07:19 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 22E
State: West Virginia
Posts: 115
THOR #3119
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Many people have claimed they got defective or very poor service from the Harris Batteries that come from the factory. Others have blamed the converter/charger installed by Thor for the short battery life. Harris has not helped its cause by denying warranty coverage of the battery, saying that the charger was the reason. I dont think the Harris battery is bad and mine is 2.5 years old and I have not had any problems but I would not buy another one because they refuse to stand behind their product with no proof just blanket statements. They dont have a test report they can point to and group all claims in the same charger basket.
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03-04-2017, 08:20 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
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mine have worked fine for 3 years.... no issues, just EQUALIZE them periodically
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the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
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03-04-2017, 09:49 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Travato
State: Florida
Posts: 2,475
THOR #1765
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Search for "Harris battery" and I'll bet you'll see a ton of threads. People have bee having problems wit them sinc the Vegas first dam out in 2014. I replaced mine after a couple of years and my Sears have been better. I just replaced the charger/converter in my Axis npbecause it would not go on high charge or sustain charge.
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03-05-2017, 01:25 AM
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#5
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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My Harris battery worked for about a season. I was able to nurse it for about 6 months after that; finally had to get rid of it because it wouldn't hold any semblance of charge.
Even my cheap replacement performs better than the Harris battery ever did.
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03-05-2017, 01:34 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Florida
Posts: 1,241
THOR #1249
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Jamie, were you able to replace your eng. battery thru the wheel well or thru the passenger side dash?
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Former owner of 2015 Thor Vegas 24.1 in Ocala
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03-05-2017, 02:04 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Florida
Posts: 613
THOR #4366
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The unknown batteries that are in our Axis are marginal at best. I get better results from when I use either the solar system or automotive style smart charger for charging them.
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2016 Axis 24.1 E-450 6 spd tranny
300 watts portable solar.
200 watts solar on the roof.
Wrangler JK dinghy
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03-05-2017, 02:12 AM
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#8
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by mcr1010
Jamie, were you able to replace your eng. battery thru the wheel well or thru the passenger side dash?
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Didn't replace the engine battery, replaced the house battery. Can't really see the chassis battery but I believe it is a Motorcraft battery and not a Harris one.
House battery was easy: just lift out of the step well.
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03-05-2017, 02:33 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.3
State: California
Posts: 443
THOR #2526
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Crap - replaced before one year.
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2016 Thor Axis 25.3 w/ 2011 2dr Wrangler in tow
Demco tow bar with Patriot braking
Bigfoot Automatic Levelers.
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03-05-2017, 03:38 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Travato
State: Florida
Posts: 2,475
THOR #1765
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest
The unknown batteries that are in our Axis are marginal at best. I get better results from when I use either the solar system or automotive style smart charger for charging them.
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That may be because your converter/charger is not working correctly, as mine was not. I replaced mine and the batteries work a lot better if they are charged correctly.
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03-05-2017, 10:19 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 37GT
State: Florida
Posts: 809
THOR #5246
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With almost 3 years on the used Thor we purchased our OEM 6-V batteries are working great. I initially was checking them every month for water levels and they barely used any and seem to hold a charge very well.
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Full Time in 2017 Newmar Ventana 4369
pulling a 24' enclosed (Mini Cooper/Harley/Kayak)
(traded 2014 Thor Challenger)
US Army 70-73 Retired LEO
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03-05-2017, 12:31 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
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Harris batteries aren't the best and their warranty is useless. If you have a battery problem Harris will say it's the charger and will refuse to replace it!
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03-05-2017, 02:34 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Florida
Posts: 613
THOR #4366
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oneilkeys
That may be because your converter/charger is not working correctly, as mine was not. I replaced mine and the batteries work a lot better if they are charged correctly.
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That is why I don't use the WFCO, they are junk although this one works better then most as I have seen it at 14.2 volts and 10 amps for about 20 minutes.
Once the batteries are charged the WFCO seems to be a fair trickle charger.
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2016 Axis 24.1 E-450 6 spd tranny
300 watts portable solar.
200 watts solar on the roof.
Wrangler JK dinghy
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03-05-2017, 03:30 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
State: Florida
Posts: 148
THOR #6491
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TurnerFam
mine have worked fine for 3 years.... no issues, just EQUALIZE them periodically
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What does hat mean equalize the battery's. how do u do that?
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03-05-2017, 05:25 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
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on my Magnum remote panel, I press and hold the CHARGER button until the screen changes to EQUALIZE...
it basically 'overcharges' the batteries for about 4 hours, then goes automatically back to normal charge mode.
You will hear the batteries 'boiling' while this is happening, which is normal. Check and make sure you have the correct water level before starting, and check again after it's finished.
Of course, you can only do this if you are on 50a Shore Power...
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03-05-2017, 06:03 PM
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#16
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,767
THOR #1469
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Setups may be different between coach models and not all coaches have the ability to equalize the batteries without modification or replacement of the converter/charger.
The Palazzo has a Magnum charger while most of us have a WFCO converter/charger.
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Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
FMCA - F432054
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03-05-2017, 06:55 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: California
Posts: 258
THOR #3186
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Quote:
Originally Posted by allan cooper
can anyone comment on the quality of the factory installed batteries on thor motorhome products? Poor, fair, good, excellent quality? How many years should one expect them to last? Many thanks in advance.
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crap!
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03-05-2017, 07:09 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Travato
State: Florida
Posts: 2,475
THOR #1765
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest
That is why I don't use the WFCO, they are junk although this one works better then most as I have seen it at 14.2 volts and 10 amps for about 20 minutes.
Once the batteries are charged the WFCO seems to be a fair trickle charger.
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Mine would not charge above 13.6v and never went down to 13.1. Unless I am mistaken, the WFCOs will not equalize your batteries either. Mine never did.
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03-05-2017, 10:10 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37LX
State: Maryland
Posts: 109
THOR #3920
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Just my $.02 here.
I never used the standard batteries. I was told by Thor reps to change out the factory batteries before taking delivery. Thor says they just use cheap batteries that will work, but aren't the best. It as recommended to buy higher end 6V batteries, preferably 4. I upgraded mine once the RV arrived at the dealer before taking possession.
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2017 Thor Challenger 37LX, Westward interior, Riverside paint job. Upgraded to 4 battery setup, Splendide 2100XC Washer/Dryer combo, Progressive Industries HW50 EMS, Heavy Duty Steering stabilizer, and TST TPMS 6+4 setup for tow vehicle . Member FMCA
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03-06-2017, 12:53 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.2
State: Idaho
Posts: 533
THOR #1944
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Allan Cooper
Can anyone comment on the quality of the factory installed batteries on Thor Motorhome products? Poor, fair, good, excellent quality? How many years should one expect them to last? Many thanks in advance.
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The factory batteries have the deck stacked against them. They are typically exposed to poor conditions in assembly to the brutality of a sales lot. Deep discharge is hard on them and even just once can substantially diminish capacity/life.
To get maximum life out of a FLA marine deep cycle battery, cycle only to about 50% and keep the cells properly filled. They can sometimes provide 5-6yrs of use.
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Axis 24.2 "was" tug'n a JK
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