New Chassis Battery install Vegas 2016, 24.1

[RetiredRoadies]

Today we had our mechanic change our Chassis Battery. This is the first time we've had to get a new battery. I watched several YouTube videos that show going through the passenger desk, by cutting through the wood underneath was the most popular of getting to the battery. However our mechanic went throught the bonnet/hood, just fine, without issues or disturbing any hoses or other engine wires, etc... Now I'm wondering why most if not all YouTube or comments on the site suggest the dashboard entry. Just wanted to share that going through the bonnet/hood works. In fact, he had it done in about 30 minutes.

 

[16ACE27]

The real question is: Why was yours different from everyone else's Axis/Vegas?

Are you the Original owner?
The Chassis battery has likely been changed before
Was a modification done at that time to make it easier to change it in the future?

You are asking a question that no one here can definitively answer without access to your RV.

 

[ducksface]

Here's picture proof of why I can't on a 2018.
Please post picture proof of how he did.

6.89"x7.9"x10.94" group48 2018 axis battery.

There is a battery keeper he couldn't reach from there if he had all day.

I don't have battery there now as I moved it to an easily accessed spot so I cant take further measurements other than the gap between the hood and the radiator.

2016 has a slightly different hood.

(The blue box is my HEPA filter for the a/c intake)

 

[RetiredRoadies]

The real question is: Why was yours different from everyone else's Axis/Vegas?

Are you the Original owner?
The Chassis battery has likely been changed before
Was a modification done at that time to make it easier to change it in the future?

You are asking a question that no one here can definitively answer without access to your RV.

We are the original owners and this is our first time needing a new battery. We did take the desk top off and opened the hole into the engine but when our Mechanic got to our house he was.able to get to it from the front. Our Vegas wasn't modified prior to purchasing off the lot. I wanted to put this out here in the event someone else might want to try changing the battery from the front hood instead of sawing the wood off under the passenger desk. That's all.

 

[RetiredRoadies]

Here's picture proof of why I can't on a 2018.
Please post picture proof of how he did.

6.89"x7.9"x10.94" group48 2018 axis battery.

There is a battery keeper he couldn't reach from there if he had all day.

I don't have battery there now as I moved it to an easily accessed spot so I cant take further measurements other than the gap between the hood and the radiator.

2016 has a slightly different hood.

(The blue box is my HEPA filter for the a/c intake)

I'll attach pictures later today.

 

[16ACE27]

2017 24.1 on a 2016 E350 chassis?

 

[RetiredRoadies]

Yes, that's correct. Here's a few pictures. It's hard to see the battery but it's under that hose in the front. All I can say is, he must of moved all the hoses. I didn't watch how he did it.

 

[ducksface]

How would he have left those hoses connected?
Did you watch him do this or did he tell you he did this?
Do you see any spot under there to pass a battery through? I don't on mine, maybe you can get a picture of a battery size space he could have passed the battery through.

It's all but impossible, and certainly impractical on a 2018 e450.
Forensically,
He didn't touch those hoses that lay on top of the battery. If that's dust, it's tell-tale dust...or sawdust....

2016 e350 may be different...but those hoses....

 

[ducksface]

https://community.goodsam.com/discussions/motorhomesforum-board/thor-vegasaxis-engine-batt-removal-thru-hood-/3112820

The above link is nothing like you said.
And it doesn't adress the hold down bolt.

I have a many hour long intimate, upside down, wrestling match relationship with that battery and compartment and also with the radiator support and ac parts.

The picture is why.
My battery is now in an entirely different place but sitting on the original battery holder/frame.

For other folk;
don't try to remove the battery by way of under the hood.

 

[RetiredRoadies]

How would he have left those hoses connected?
Did you watch him do this or did he tell you he did this?
Do you see any spot under there to pass a battery through? I don't on mine, maybe you can get a picture of a battery size space he could have passed the battery through.

It's all but impossible, and certainly impractical on a 2018 e450.
Forensically,
He didn't touch those hoses that lay on top of the battery. If that's dust, it's tell-tale dust...or sawdust....

2016 e350 may be different...but those hoses....

How would he have left those hoses connected?
Did you watch him do this or did he tell you he did this?
Do you see any spot under there to pass a battery through? I don't on mine, maybe you can get a picture of a battery size space he could have passed the battery through.

It's all but impossible, and certainly impractical on a 2018 e450.
Forensically,
He didn't touch those hoses that lay on top of the battery. If that's dust, it's tell-tale dust...or sawdust....

2016 e350 may be different...but those hoses....

Well, I'm not a mechanic and I did not watch him, but I do know he didn't go through the dashboard. I have no idea if he moved the hoses or not. They appear to come away from the inside of the hood easily, but with that said, I can't answer your questions.

 

[ducksface]

One last thing;
Is that sawdust on/near the hoses?

 

[RetiredRoadies]

Don't know, I'd have to go look again.

 

[RetiredRoadies]

I thinking the dust is from the dashboard where we had to saw thru the wood.

 

[ducksface]

Just an observation;
If he replaced the battery from somewhere other than under the desk...
How is sawdust still on top of those hoses?
We all have no doubt the hoses need disconnected from the end you're showing if the replacement came from the front.

I see a clean battery with a date sticker on it.
But I see a very dirty positive terminal.

No accusations
But
Are you dead sure he really replaced the battery?

I ask because the sawdust says he didn't touch a thing under the hood.

How are you sure he didn't use the desk hole?

Before I was asking how he did the install.
Now I'm asking if he did the install.

Something is not right about the whole thing.