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Old 06-19-2022, 09:03 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsor 29M
State: Arkansas
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THOR #17511
How to check battery water levels

Good afternoon. I have a 2021 Thor Windsport 29M. i could some assistance in checking the water level in the coach batteries.
The way they are installed in the compartment it looks like they need to be removed to check them. Any thoughts on how to do it without removal would be greatly appreciated.

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Old 06-19-2022, 09:30 PM   #2
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I installed the Flow Rite Battery Hydration System on my batteries. It makes it so easy to keep the batteries topped off. No more having to remove the caps to fill the battery cells. It is available on Amazon. You will need to make sure if you order one to get the correct system for the battery(s) you have in your coach. You also have to buy the hand pump bulb to fill the batteries. They make a single 12 volt system, dual 12 volt battery system, single or dual 6 volt battery system. The system also helps to eliminate the gassing that occurs with lead acid batteries.

Flowrite MP2000 battery system runs less than $60.00 on Amazon plus the hand pump.

Paul
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Old 06-19-2022, 09:54 PM   #3
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THOR #11781
I replaced the lead acid batteries in my 29M with AGMs. No more water, no more corrosion from off gassing. It's a cleaner, maintenance free installation.
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Old 06-19-2022, 10:14 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emallett1 View Post
Good afternoon. I have a 2021 Thor Windsport 29M. i could some assistance in checking the water level in the coach batteries.
The way they are installed in the compartment it looks like they need to be removed to check them. Any thoughts on how to do it without removal would be greatly appreciated.
So to answer your question:

If your battery compartment is similar to mine you may have to reposition some battery cables so they are not laying on top of the access caps on the batteries.
Remove the access caps.
Use a mirror and a flashlight to check the water levels.
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Old 06-19-2022, 10:27 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by paulwadley View Post
I installed the Flow Rite Battery Hydration System on my batteries. It makes it so easy to keep the batteries topped off. No more having to remove the caps to fill the battery cells. It is available on Amazon. You will need to make sure if you order one to get the correct system for the battery(s) you have in your coach. You also have to buy the hand pump bulb to fill the batteries. They make a single 12 volt system, dual 12 volt battery system, single or dual 6 volt battery system. The system also helps to eliminate the gassing that occurs with lead acid batteries.

Flowrite MP2000 battery system runs less than $60.00 on Amazon plus the hand pump.

Paul
Thank you paulwadley, I will check that out.
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Old 06-19-2022, 10:29 PM   #6
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Amazon sells wireless Bluetooth borescopes with an end light for about $18.
With this you can check the chassis battery also.
And inside the black tank
And up your dryer vent at the house....
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Old 06-19-2022, 10:30 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Lt Keefer View Post
I replaced the lead acid batteries in my 29M with AGMs. No more water, no more corrosion from off gassing. It's a cleaner, maintenance free installation.
Lt Keefer , Thank you. When these batteries are no longer working I will do that.
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Old 06-19-2022, 10:33 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by 16ACE27 View Post
So to answer your question:



If your battery compartment is similar to mine you may have to reposition some battery cables so they are not laying on top of the access caps on the batteries.

Remove the access caps.

Use a mirror and a flashlight to check the water levels.
Thanks for your response, I will see if it is possible to re-route the cables, they are definitely in the way.
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Old 06-19-2022, 10:35 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by ducksface View Post
Amazon sells wireless Bluetooth borescopes with an end light for about $18.
With this you can check the chassis battery also.
And inside the black tank
And up your dryer vent at the house....
Thanks duckface. My son in law has one I can try it with.
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Old 06-20-2022, 12:16 AM   #10
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Before you remove or relocate the battery cables, photo each one so you know where they go. I would also tag/mark them. It is easy to mix them up.


Paul
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Old 06-29-2022, 06:33 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emallett1 View Post
Good afternoon. I have a 2021 Thor Windsport 29M. i could some assistance in checking the water level in the coach batteries.
The way they are installed in the compartment it looks like they need to be removed to check them. Any thoughts on how to do it without removal would be greatly appreciated.
I Have a 2018 Windsport 29M. Same situation/problem. Given the cable placement, I found removing them is the only practical option. Even installing the remote fill systems are difficult (impossible?) given the length of the cables, there is no slack and they lay across the top of the batteries. I’ll be going AGM next time.
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Old 06-29-2022, 06:48 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulwadley View Post
I installed the Flow Rite Battery Hydration System on my batteries. It makes it so easy to keep the batteries topped off. No more having to remove the caps to fill the battery cells. It is available on Amazon. You will need to make sure if you order one to get the correct system for the battery(s) you have in your coach. You also have to buy the hand pump bulb to fill the batteries. They make a single 12 volt system, dual 12 volt battery system, single or dual 6 volt battery system. The system also helps to eliminate the gassing that occurs with lead acid batteries.

Flowrite MP2000 battery system runs less than $60.00 on Amazon plus the hand pump.

Paul
Another vote for the Flow-Rite battery watering system.. Six years of using with no complaints.
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Old 06-29-2022, 06:49 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emallett1 View Post
Good afternoon. I have a 2021 Thor Windsport 29M. i could some assistance in checking the water level in the coach batteries.
The way they are installed in the compartment it looks like they need to be removed to check them. Any thoughts on how to do it without removal would be greatly appreciated.
I had the same problem. I installed stainless steel threaded standoffs on each battery terminal to raise the cable. I only had about 3/4” but it was high enough to remove the battery caps. It’s still snug but I don’t have to remove the cables to check or add water. It works great for me.
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Old 06-29-2022, 06:50 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Lt Keefer View Post
I replaced the lead acid batteries in my 29M with AGMs. No more water, no more corrosion from off gassing. It's a cleaner, maintenance free installation.
When batteries are shot, that is what I will do. Thank you!
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Old 06-29-2022, 06:54 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by paulwadley View Post
Before you remove or relocate the battery cables, photo each one so you know where they go. I would also tag/mark them. It is easy to mix them up.


Paul
Thanks Paul, that's the first thing I did after seeing the wiring mess! I also used a label maker and marked each wire as to where they go.
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Old 06-29-2022, 06:55 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by budlevey View Post
I had the same problem. I installed stainless steel threaded standoffs on each battery terminal to raise the cable. I only had about 3/4” but it was high enough to remove the battery caps. It’s still snug but I don’t have to remove the cables to check or add water. It works great for me.
Did you install those on the threaded connections on the top of the batteries?
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Old 06-29-2022, 09:29 PM   #17
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You should also make sure they actually need water. My '21 24.1 came with AGM house batteries from the factory.
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Old 06-29-2022, 10:20 PM   #18
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Battery Filler

I have a filler that I just put in the top of the battery with the caps off and it stops flowing when it is at the proper level very simple and only cost me a few bucks about 15 years ago. I keep it topped up with distilled water and check the batteries every few months.
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Old 06-30-2022, 12:01 AM   #19
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I purchased battery caps with floats. All I have to do is look at the level of the float. When needed, I fill using this. It fills each cell perfect every time.
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Old 07-03-2022, 12:53 PM   #20
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Yes. I also used ss washers to provide additional support for the cable on the top of the stand-off.
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