2020 thor vegas replacement chassis battery ??

[Scubawise]

Hi
Entering 4th year of original chassis battery.
I have seen no issues, but the questions are:
A) What size do I need?
Can I use AGM?
C) As long as on solar or shore power both batteries read 12.8 to 13.0. Not sure of symptoms if it starts to fail?
Being pro active.

My local shop said they will install any battery I bring them.
Thanks camping buddies

 

[SGilbert]

Wait until they see where the chassis battery is!
Sure, an AGM will work, and last longer, but is the price difference worth the extra life? Only you can answer that.
FWIW, I'm going to install a new chassis battery this spring. Original is 2018. Still works well, but don't want to risk it. It'll be a Sam's Club Energizer wet cell.
At same time, I'll install a remote battery terminal kit to where I can attach a trickle or starter battery pack.

 

[Scubawise]

Wait until they see where the chassis battery is!
Sure, an AGM will work, and last longer, but is the price difference worth the extra life? Only you can answer that.
FWIW, I'm going to install a new chassis battery this spring. Original is 2018. Still works well, but don't want to risk it. It'll be a Sam's Club Energizer wet cell.
At same time, I'll install a remote battery terminal kit to where I can attach a trickle or starter battery pack.

I will look for my size and check Sam's Club Energizer wet cell since the OG battery was LFA.

My bim charges the chassis from coach

 

[SGilbert]

Which of the 100's is LFA?
https://www.acronymfinder.com/LFA.html

 

[DavidEM]

I think he meant FLA, flooded cell lead acid.

David

 

[SGilbert]

I think he meant FLA, flooded cell lead acid.
David

 

[Big-Foot-THOR]

I just replaced my 750AH Motorcraft in our 2017 Vegas to a 750AH AGM battery from Walmart as Walmart is nationwide and easy to get warranty service if needed. What a PITB it was to R&R that battery. The battery literally has to stand up on one end to pull it through the hole you cut in the top of the dash..
I felt better about standing the AGM on end than I did the FLA battery..

 

[Scubawise]

I just replaced my 750AH Motorcraft in our 2017 Vegas to a 750AH AGM battery from Walmart as Walmart is nationwide and easy to get warranty service if needed. What a PITB it was to R&R that battery. The battery literally has to stand up on one end to pull it through the hole you cut in the top of the dash..
I felt better about standing the AGM on end than I did the FLA battery..

Thx noted. When we got our Vegas, I had my Ace 30 year tech open the dash cut a larger hole and place a removable metal door there. Hopefully it works

Also thor said on a Vegas turn the front wheels fully left to the drivers side and get it from underneath

 

[16ACE27]

I just replaced my 750AH Motorcraft in our 2017 Vegas to a 750AH AGM battery from Walmart as Walmart is nationwide and easy to get warranty service if needed. What a PITB it was to R&R that battery. The battery literally has to stand up on one end to pull it through the hole you cut in the top of the dash..
I felt better about standing the AGM on end than I did the FLA battery..

 

[Big-Foot-THOR]

Thx noted. When we got our Vegas, I had my Ace 30 year tech open the dash cut a larger hole and place a removable metal door there. Hopefully it works

Also thor said on a Vegas turn the front wheels fully left to the drivers side and get it from underneath

I had heard that too, but in looking under there, the only way to do it is to unbolt the battery bracket and part of that bracket goes all the way across the front of the core support. Also, I would not be surprised if you had to discharge the HVAC System as part of that operation..
You might get the battery out of an E450 van that way, but I seriously doubt you’d make that work on our motorhomes..

 

[ducksface]

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ODY...mPyCfgaAtAtEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1

Buy the above in the appropriate size.
Buy only the above.
Any other will be a failure at a time you don't want.
While you're in there add the jumping lugs under your hood.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004HGTXUQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

There isn't a reason in the world to go halfway on this job.

And(the op is using a shop for install, but for all others)
There's a little keeper wedge at the bottom of that battery. You'll need an 8mm(probably) socket attached to a thin extension to reach it. And I mean ATTACHED. super glue it to the extension. Super glue breaks bond with a bit of heat when the job is over.

For other folk: I have pictures of what I used to repair/hinge the dash-hole when you're buttoning up.

Honest, you don't want in there ever again.

And

Order some dynamat sound deadener and get crazy with it while you're in there.

And
No, a flooded battery won't come out of the wheel well without major trauma. It's 100 times easier to go through the dash. The battery keeper is on the back side between the frame and the battery. The contortions needed to reach it through the wheel well are all but unexplainable. Thr dash-hole is a 15 minute 3asy change if you're prepared.

And
Buy a $4 battery lifter strap unless you're a real hoss(I am) and can lift 50ish pounds 6feet or so with your fingertips

And
I moved my battery elsewhere. If you're truly handy, there's lots of room right behind your passenger headlight. A bit of bracket fabrication and it's an easy change.


Don't half-ass this by having a battery budget or playing the
'It is as good as....'
game.

 

[DavidEM]

I am confused. Post #7 shows a pic of the OEM Ford battery Big-Foot removed and although the battery top is dirty, it seems to show it as a G65 Next to it is an Eversource AGM 65 battery, presumably also a G65. B-F says it fits.

Ducksface in the post above says use a G31 Osyssey. G31s and G65s have significantly different dimensions. But presumably both fit.

Could someone explain how?

And somewhere I read that Ford switched to AGMs for the Godzilla engine which are incorporated into Thor Axis/Vegas starting in about 2021.

True?

David

 

[ducksface]

'...in the appropriate size.'

 

[DavidEM]

'...in the appropriate size.'

GMAFB!

You have a 2018 Axis right! What is the appropriate size for it. A G31, a G65, or ???

David

 

[SGilbert]

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ODY...mPyCfgaAtAtEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1

Why NAPA, when you could save around $150 through Amazon?
https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Batt...mzn1.fos.18630bbb-fcbb-42f8-9767-857e17e03685

But, I can get top of the line AGMs at Sam's Club far cheaper yet.

 

[ducksface]

Damnation!
Buy that brand battery of whatever size fits, wherever, however, whomever best suits you.
The link was the first pic on Google.
There was no hand holding of this depth considered to be necessary.
Check YOUR vehicle for battery size then shop around.

This intercourse is why I don't post much any more.
If Dakar racers use it, I use it.
You go ahead and Sam's club or dollar store and don't consider that potentially looking at your own battery is the definitive, as you like.

I offer true experience, pictures, how-to, alternative, accesories, added value while that hatch is open, brand names, links...and some of you want to value price and have specific size knowledge when NO ONE knows who's done what in your battery compartment or if there's a sams club near you or a membership had.

 

[SGilbert]

Damnation!
Buy that brand battery of whatever size fits, wherever, however, whomever best suits you.
The link was the first pic on Google.
There was no hand holding of this depth considered to be necessary.
Check YOUR vehicle for battery size then shop around.

This intercourse is why I don't post much any more.
If Dakar racers use it, I use it.
You go ahead and Sam's club or dollar store as you like.

Hey, calm down.
In your post, you said "BUY THIS". All I said was the same brand is $150 cheaper on Amazon (Group size doesn't matter very much at all for price)

No one is out to "get" you. Relax!

 

[Big-Foot-THOR]

I am confused. Post #7 shows a pic of the OEM Ford battery Big-Foot removed and although the battery top is dirty, it seems to show it as a G65 Next to it is an Eversource AGM 65 battery, presumably also a G65. B-F says it fits.

Ducksface in the post above says use a G31 Osyssey. G31s and G65s have significantly different dimensions. But presumably both fit.

Could someone explain how?

And somewhere I read that Ford switched to AGMs for the Godzilla engine which are incorporated into Thor Axis/Vegas starting in about 2021.

True?

David

I can’t speak about what Duck has done (other than he has done more cool mods on his Thor than any 5 other people)..
The battery I removed was a BXT-65-750 (Group 65 as I was told) and replaced it with the same group (65) that I took out.
One thing to note is that the battery I took out had **NO** retainer to lock it in place. I didn’t see a spot for one. I believe the AGM battery was within 1/8” in measurements to the Motorcraft battery I removed. The Motorcraft battery had a 2/18 date code on it. My unit is a 2017 that I purchased in 2019.
Both batteries had good straps on them, so I didn’t need to purchase one.

 

[Scubawise]

I had heard that too, but in looking under there, the only way to do it is to unbolt the battery bracket and part of that bracket goes all the way across the front of the core support. Also, I would not be surprised if you had to discharge the HVAC System as part of that operation..
You might get the battery out of an E450 van that way, but I seriously doubt you’d make that work on our motorhomes..

To your point. Dash seems easier

 

[Scubawise]

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ODY...mPyCfgaAtAtEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1

Buy the above in the appropriate size.
Buy only the above.
Any other will be a failure at a time you don't want.
While you're in there add the jumping lugs under your hood.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004HGTXUQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

There isn't a reason in the world to go halfway on this job.

And(the op is using a shop for install, but for all others)
There's a little keeper wedge at the bottom of that battery. You'll need an 8mm(probably) socket attached to a thin extension to reach it. And I mean ATTACHED. super glue it to the extension. Super glue breaks bond with a bit of heat when the job is over.

For other folk: I have pictures of what I used to repair/hinge the dash-hole when you're buttoning up.

Honest, you don't want in there ever again.

And

Order some dynamat sound deadener and get crazy with it while you're in there.

And
No, a flooded battery won't come out of the wheel well without major trauma. It's 100 times easier to go through the dash. The battery keeper is on the back side between the frame and the battery. The contortions needed to reach it through the wheel well are all but unexplainable. Thr dash-hole is a 15 minute 3asy change if you're prepared.

And
Buy a $4 battery lifter strap unless you're a real hoss(I am) and can lift 50ish pounds 6feet or so with your fingertips

And
I moved my battery elsewhere. If you're truly handy, there's lots of room right behind your passenger headlight. A bit of bracket fabrication and it's an easy change.


Don't half-ass this by having a battery budget or playing the
'It is as good as....'
game.

Thx Duck I made notes. Will check my size needed and 100% AGM. My local shop will do