THOR CLASS A Owner'S Manual Download

Page: 79 / 124

E L E C T R I C A L S Y S T E M

T H O R M O T O R C O A C H | M A D E T O F I T

Storing the Batteries

To prevent aux-

iliary battery

discharge when

your motorhome

is not connected to

an external power

source, turn OFF

the Master Battery

Disconnect Switch.

During long-term

storage, it is import-

ant to check battery

voltage at least every two weeks and to recharge them as

needed. Use a storage charging method recommended by

the battery manufacturer (trickle charger or other device).

Refer to Winter Storage, Maintenance Section of this man-

ual. If you remove the batteries from your motorhome,

protect them from accidental shorting and keep them in a

cool, dry, well ventilated area.

Battery Charging

It is important to keep the auxiliary battery(ies) in a condi-

tion of full or near-full charge. Doing so will ensure you will

have enough stored 12 volt DC energy when needed. Battery

charging is accomplished by:

• Automatic charging through the converter or inverter

(shore power or generator);

• With the vehicle engine running, auxiliary battery(ies)

are charged via the chassis alternator (when Master

Battery Disconnect Switch is ON);

• Auxiliary battery charging via solar charging sys-

tem (equipped as standard, optional, or customer

installed).

Take time to turn off all lights or other 12 volt accessories

when not in use. Connect the motorhome to a 120 volt AC

external source or run the generator whenever possible.

Doing so will keep the auxiliary battery charged.

When connected to a 120 volt AC power source (shore pow-

er or generator power), battery charging is accomplished

by the converter (in some motorhomes, the inverter). If the

battery condition is below its full charge, the charger will

begin recharging the auxiliary battery at a rate that reflects

the level of discharge. When the battery is fully charged,

the charger drops its charging level back to a maintenance

or trickle level to keep the battery fully charged.

Typical Class C motorhome auxiliary
battery location is under the entrance step

The auxiliary batteries are a deep-cycle type and are capable

of being deeply discharged and rebound to full capacity

when recharged. Due to their large energy storage capacity,

the auxiliary battery(ies) may take up to 24 hours to com-

pletely recharge.

If for any reason, you recharge a auxiliary battery with a

charger or power source other than what was supplied as

part of the motorhome’s original electrical system, make

sure to follow all battery maintenance and safety instruc-

tions from the battery and battery charger manufacturers.

NOTE:

• Use the monitor panel to check the auxiliary bat-

tery’s state of charge. A fully charged lead-acid
battery will read 12.7 volts DC and 1.265 specific
gravity at 80°F (32°C). A lead-acid battery is con-
sidered discharged at 11.8 volts DC by electrical
standards.

• When voltage drops below these levels, perma-

nent damage may occur. Due to their large energy
storage capacity and depending on the rate of de-
pletion, it may take up to 24 hours for a lead-acid
battery to fully recharge.

• When connected to a 120 VAC power source, the

converter (with some installations, the inverter) will
trickle charge the auxiliary battery(ies).

• If you replace the originally equipped auxiliary

battery(ies) with a different type, and you have a
multiplex system, you will need to enter the battery
type on the ‘Inverter/Charge Settings’ menu. Refer
to your multiplex systems manual.