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Old 08-30-2019, 10:25 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37ND
State: Texas
Posts: 8
THOR #13522
House Battery Replacement

A little help please? You RV maintenance veterans, feel free to chuckle...

I bought two new GC2 6 volt batteries to replace my house batteries "in kind". When installing the new ones, i got a hell of a spark when i tired to install the final cable connecting the Pos from Battery #1 to the Neg of Battery #2.

I know I am replacing the cables where they came from.

Before disconnecting, I shut off the Xantrex battery charger, I opened the in-line circuit breaker on the cable going to the battery, and I even shut down the shore power. I had no sparks when disconnecting.

completely different experience replacing the cables on the new batteries however!

What did i miss?

thanks in advance!

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Old 08-30-2019, 10:27 PM   #2
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THOR #8860
Is this kind of how you've got it wired?

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1567204054
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Old 08-30-2019, 10:33 PM   #3
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THOR #13522
Yes, I think.

There are 2 leads coming to the terminal marked as "to ground" and 2 leads coming to the terminal marked as "to 12+ V" i can't tell where they go, just that they are being reconnected exactly to the new batteries as they were to the old batteries.

The spark came when I tried to install the jumper between the two batteries
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Old 08-30-2019, 10:34 PM   #4
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THOR #2631
Well you wire the two new 6vdc batteries in series to replace one old 12vdc battery. You don't say if you had two 12vdc batteries in parallel or configuration you are replacing. The attached shows a "generic" 12vdc coach wired with two series connected 6vdc batteries. Hope this helps.
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Old 08-30-2019, 10:50 PM   #5
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THOR #13522
many thanks Javelin!

This diagram helps TREMENDOUSLY. I was replacing 2 6 VDC batteries with 2 6 VDC.

Studying it makes me want to double check something about the cable coming to the house batteries that has the in-line circuit breaker:

Should this be connected to a positive terminal on the battery or a negative terminal?

Thanks again!
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Old 08-30-2019, 11:43 PM   #6
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THOR #4735
I get a good 'spark' when I make the final connection on mine too, but I connect everything else first, then the RED POSITIVE main wire last.
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Old 08-31-2019, 02:04 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pelican Perch Man View Post
many thanks Javelin!

This diagram helps TREMENDOUSLY. I was replacing 2 6 VDC batteries with 2 6 VDC.

Studying it makes me want to double check something about the cable coming to the house batteries that has the in-line circuit breaker:

Should this be connected to a positive terminal on the battery or a negative terminal?

Thanks again!

Typically the breakers (or fuses) are supplied from the +ve battery post (or via +ve cabling) supplying the positive battery feed/connection to the coach. But I don’t know your coach......so carefully verify your connections and ensure you don't accidentally short + to chassis.

No chuckling from anyone here because batteries can be very dangerous in terms of high currents which can vaporize a metal watch band, wrench or ring in seconds with resulting burns to the person wearing/using them; Not to mention possible damage to sensitive coach electrical items if batteries are hooked up incorrectly. It is a good thing to buy yourself a basic multimeter and learn how to use it to help identify your electrical polarities; voltages; continuity etc.
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Old 08-31-2019, 12:55 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TurnerFam View Post
I get a good 'spark' when I make the final connection on mine too, but I connect everything else first, then the RED POSITIVE main wire last.
I have disconnect switches on both grounds, and they also like to "complain": when I reconnect them.
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