Thor Forums

[Greg84]

Originally Posted by Beacher

Have you checked the house batteries at their terminals with a multimeter? Are they dead?

If the batteries themselves show signs of life, you have a switching problem.

You're going to want to check the automatic battery interconnect. And there is also a breaker switch in your battery compartment.

If the batteries were dead, you have a parasitic discharge problem.

0.8v showing on the multimeter. They're dead, Jim! I'm going to check for parasitic draw once the batteries are re-charged.

Originally Posted by Oneilkeys

I have not seen a "store" switch yet that totally disconnects the house batteries from everything. There always seems to be some parasitic load. I have found that if I leave my coach for more than a couple of weeks, I need to disconnect the batteries or use a solar panel or other "trickle" charge device.

I've stored it for several months with the chassis battery mechanically disconnected and the house batteries disconnected via the rocker switch in some pretty significant cold weather last year without any issues. I like the idea of a solar panel charger to trickle charge the batteries when not in use. Unfortunately, the storage lot we use has no power available for an electric trickle charger or to keep it plugged in.

Originally Posted by gmc

Was the use/store switch in 'use' position? Otherwise won't charge the coach batteries..

Hmmm...not sure what this is. The Tuscany XTE has a manual disconnect in the chassis battery compartment. You twist it to the off position, if it is in the off position it will not charge or start the coach. There is no (at least I cannot find one) similar device for the house batteries. I did run the generator which kicked on the power control panel to power the propane heating system, so I'm pretty sure the house batteries were being charged.

If the switch was left in 'use', it certainly would have drained the batteries.

I'm starting to wonder if I did not disconnect the house battery via the rocker switch, last time I was in it and left the radio turned on, with the volume off.


Typically yes... The jump switch Jamie mentioned can help if those are low.. But may not if really dead.

I was looking for this earlier, could not find it. I'm pretty sure I have the jumper switch, but darned if I could not find it. I'll look for it again when I pick the RV up.


I'd expect the leveled to be on chassis batteries.

Researched the Lippert Manual and the lights flashing on the leveler control panel indicate low battery (<10v, yep...that's me!). But as you mention, I also thought the leveler ran off the chassis batteries, I know the engine must be running to power hydraulic pumps. I wonder if the chassis battery powers the hydraulic pumps and the house batteries the control panel/module? The chassis batteries are fine and show a charge of 12v to 13v. Edit: based on Dave's post below this doesn't seem very likely - two different power sources that is.

8 volt is dead. 0.8 is very dead..

To reiterate my unoriginal comment from above "They're dead, Jim!" D'oh!

I would disconnect the coach batteries from the coach and each other and use an automotive charger to see if they will take a charge...Thanks, this is my fallback.

If they are that low and froze - they may not recharge.

I did some research on frozen auto batteries (google...what did we do before the internet?) Based on information from Interstate Batteries, a fully charged battery can resist freezing down to -76 degrees. A discharged battery can freeze at 32 degrees. If the battery freezes and the case did not crack (I have no cracks) and the plates did not touch, the battery can be recharged and still function.

I hope this is my case, if not this could be an expensive newbie lesson. Ouch!

With coach batteries disconnected, the jump switch may start the generator if needed.

Thanks all for the quick replies. I'll post on what the issue was and final solution once I get it resolved.