Dead Chassis Battery

[Hawk4x4wv]

Hello, I have a MB24 2023 model Quantum. Every time I go camping or even if the RV is just parked in my driveway, the battery will die. I take it out during the winter. I am curious if any one else has this problem and what is the fix. I live in Alaska and where I live there are no authorized repair facilities. Thanks, Scott

 

[16ACE27]

Need more info. How do you go "camping"?
Are you plugged into SP or just relying on the batteries?
Same question for parked in driveway.
Which battery are you talking about?
The house battery(s) or the chassis battery? Or both?
Status of Master Power switch when plugged into SP?

And; how old are your batteries?

Unfortunately, the chassis battery on Sprinter chassis MHs commonly runs down in a few days when not on a battery maintainer and the converter does not charge the Sprinter chassis battery.

 

[Mark54]

Hello, I have a MB24 2023 model Quantum. Every time I go camping or even if the RV is just parked in my driveway, the battery will die. I take it out during the winter. I am curious if any one else has this problem and what is the fix. I live in Alaska and where I live there are no authorized repair facilities. Thanks, Scott

Keep a 2-5A trickle charger on the chassis battery any time you are parked and not using. I live in VT and keep one on mine ALL the time I am home.
I have no 'bi-directional" charging, no BIM or BIRD, or even DCDC converter.
Total shortsightedness by Thor.
I also installed a 2A Noco with ring lugs, inside on my e-start solenoid so I can engage via inverter when plugged into shoreline as mine dies even when plugged in if longer than 3 days.
I'm not familiar with the MB chassis battery location- hopefully it's easier access than the Promaster, which is under the driver's feet.
If it dies more than a few times and is below 11.3V, then be sure to get it checked by garage tech or parts place that can test.
Best way to find out where the solenoid might be (or BIM, BIRD...) is get a wiring schematic from Thor owner's resources- need VIN to sign up, then when you find it- print it all out and make a binder to go inside RV for future reference. My Tellaro has neither BIM or BIRD so they just decided to save that money for some idiot reason. My 2021 20AT had a BIM, but not my 2022 20L. Just a year later...
As for "repair facilities"- doesn't matter if you live next door to one- you need to learn on your own, b/c they won't know anyway... I swore an oath to never see dealer again- totally clueless. I do all my own repairs.
Pics are from 2022 Tellaro 20L- just for reference. I doubt the MB24 is at all like this, but you can get the idea anyways.

 

[Lt Keefer]

You must have a lot of parasitic draw on your chassis.

 

[Hawk4x4wv]

Need more info. How do you go "camping"?
Are you plugged into SP or just relying on the batteries?
Same question for parked in driveway.
Which battery are you talking about?
The house battery(s) or the chassis battery? Or both?
Status of Master Power switch when plugged into SP?

And; how old are your batteries?

Unfortunately, the chassis battery on Sprinter chassis MHs commonly runs down in a few days when not on a battery maintainer and the converter does not charge the Sprinter chassis battery.

So, I rarely get to go camping but we never shore power. It is the Chassis battery.

 

[Hawk4x4wv]

Keep a 2-5A trickle charger on the chassis battery any time you are parked and not using. I live in VT and keep one on mine ALL the time I am home.
I have no 'bi-directional" charging, no BIM or BIRD, or even DCDC converter.
Total shortsightedness by Thor.
I also installed a 2A Noco with ring lugs, inside on my e-start solenoid so I can engage via inverter when plugged into shoreline as mine dies even when plugged in if longer than 3 days.
I'm not familiar with the MB chassis battery location- hopefully it's easier access than the Promaster, which is under the driver's feet.
If it dies more than a few times and is below 11.3V, then be sure to get it checked by garage tech or parts place that can test.
Best way to find out where the solenoid might be (or BIM, BIRD...) is get a wiring schematic from Thor owner's resources- need VIN to sign up, then when you find it- print it all out and make a binder to go inside RV for future reference. My Tellaro has neither BIM or BIRD so they just decided to save that money for some idiot reason. My 2021 20AT had a BIM, but not my 2022 20L. Just a year later...
As for "repair facilities"- doesn't matter if you live next door to one- you need to learn on your own, b/c they won't know anyway... I swore an oath to never see dealer again- totally clueless. I do all my own repairs.
Pics are from 2022 Tellaro 20L- just for reference. I doubt the MB24 is at all like this, but you can get the idea anyways.

Same here the battery is in the cab between seats. Thanks, will look into it.

 

[Pholden44]

When parked for a few days, you also can disconnect the chassis battery easily. Check your manual, but the disconnect is located behind a pull out section near the gas pedal. Most also suggest taking out the #31 fuse for longer periods of nonuse.

 

[Mark54]

When parked for a few days, you also can disconnect the chassis battery easily. Check your manual, but the disconnect is located behind a pull out section near the gas pedal. Most also suggest taking out the #31 fuse for longer periods of nonuse.

Just be sure it's 100% charged before disconnecting. lead-acid batteries need to be fully charged for winter or other storage. Anything less, and they can freeze in cold temps.

 

[TL1961]

Sprinters have a heating pad on the DEF tank that kicks in when it's less than 11 degrees outside. This may be part of your problem.

 

[ducksface]

This only requires any handyman to install.
You'll never have a problem again.

 

[Slink59]

Hello, I have a MB24 2023 model Quantum. Every time I go camping or even if the RV is just parked in my driveway, the battery will die. I take it out during the winter. I am curious if any one else has this problem and what is the fix. I live in Alaska and where I live there are no authorized repair facilities. Thanks, Scott

I just ran into the same problem with my Thor Sanctuary 19P - on a Mercedes Sprinter van chassis. I replaced the 3+ year old battery and had the Mercedes dealer attach a factory made trickle charger. Since I keep the RV plugged in at home, I am able to plug the trickle charger into an outlet within the RV, so no extension cord to the outside. As directed by the dealer, I tested the connections inside the RV and outside. Both worked fine. The battery is located under the driver's seat, so I paid the cost to have THEM do it right with the right parts and the new chassis battery maintains its charge. Now I don't have to drive it weekly at a high speed just to charge the battery! No more sleepless nights worried about whether it'll start! Hope this helps. Good luck and happy traveling!

 

[ducksface]

Or toss this on the dash if your rv lives outside.
And/or
Hf sells a usable trickle charger for $11.

 

[Jubilee Life]

I removed my BIM and installed a cut off switch between the chasis and house batteries. The alternator will control the charge when I turn the switch on while driving and the converter will control charge when I'm plugged in or on generator. I also use factory recommended lead acid batteries. The cut off switch was well worth my peace of mind, since I installed it my chasis battery has never died.