Palazzo Owners

[photoguy1313]

Originally Posted by Berlin Kid

It would appear that specs call for a 40 degree Celsius sensor (140 degrees F) and they are instead using a 40 degree F sensors. No wonder they run constantly. Mine is sitting in my driveway and the fan is constantly ON. Suspect that someone in purchasing goofed.

Having a 2013 33.2, mine didn't come with a fan, but I would sure like to have one. After installing one, I'll be investigating a method to trigger the fan when the internal fan on the inverter/converter comes on - seems that would be a good time to be getting rid of excess heat in the compartment.

[User1011]

Originally Posted by photoguy1313

Having a 2013 33.2, mine didn't come with a fan, but I would sure like to have one. After installing one, I'll be investigating a method to trigger the fan when the internal fan on the inverter/converter comes on - seems that would be a good time to be getting rid of excess heat in the compartment.

We experienced a problem with the inverter reaching a temperature that shut it down. No power and a "fault" came up on the panel in the coach above the entry door. At the time we did not know what the 'fault' was or why we had no power. Called and spoke with a Thor tech. After the Thor tech could not solve the problem over the phone, his advice was for us to take the coach to our dealer.

Fast forward ---- The mechanic at the dealer called Magnum direct and walked them through the 'fix'. The Magnum inverter had shut down due to overheating (we had no fan in the compartment). The reset button on the inverter was the 'fix'.

Thor sent us a fan (no charge) for us to install. So just a heads up to the Palazzo owners that do not have a fan and/or experience excessive temperature in the inverter bay as this can shut the inverter down.

[Butte64]

Since I have not used the Palazzo much and since it is such a PITA to open all the coach batteries I have not been servicing them regularly. So I was shocked today to see there was so little water I couldn't do a hydrometer check. Not that I could find my hydrometer. Or my inspection mirrors. Or a few other important things to make the job go faster and do it properly.

I had some distilled water but some was not enough, had to go get more.

So here are some suggestions for those who have not done it yet or have not installed a battery watering system.
- Don't wait a year to do it for the first time
- Give yourself plenty of time. It is not easy and if you are not accustomed to working with batteries in enclosed spaces you want to take your time.
- Since the cables have to be disconnected to open the cells, draw a diagram of how they are connected. Then take a picture with your cell phone or other digital camera. Verify the diagram against your picture.
- Have a pad or other protection to kneel on since you will be on your knees a long time
- Have a non-conductive cover to put over the front batteries while you reach in over them to those at the rear.
- Have at least a gallon of distilled water, a small container to pour from, and a small clean funnel
- You really need an inspection mirror to work on those at the rear. Good thing I found mine. And a flashlight.
- A 9/16" wrench is much better than an adjustable
- Disconnect cables connecting to the coach first.
- Do not overfill the cells
- Double check all connections before connecting back to RV when done
- Be careful!

Let me know anything significant I missed.

[Berlin Kid]

Dead Bolt

My 2014 Palazzo 33.1 has a single key/lock for the entry door. The brochure lists this as also having a keyed dead bolt. Do you have a deadbolt lock on your unit?

[ChallengerRN]

Originally Posted by Berlin Kid

Dead Bolt

My 2014 Palazzo 33.1 has a single key/lock for the entry door. The brochure lists this as also having a keyed dead bolt. Do you have a deadbolt lock on your unit?

Mine is a 2013 but I have two different keys I can lock it with. On the inside mine has two little red levers to lock door. I have a black key that is plastic covered for for one lock & a gold key for the other lock. So on the outside there are two separated locks.

[Berlin Kid]

Originally Posted by ChallengerRN

Mine is a 2013 but I have two different keys I can lock it with. On the inside mine has two little red levers to lock door. I have a black key that is plastic covered for for one lock & a gold key for the other lock. So on the outside there are two separated locks.

Looks like I will have to put that on my list. Thanks

[gmadams]

Originally Posted by Butte64

Since I have not used the Palazzo much and since it is such a PITA to open all the coach batteries I have not been servicing them regularly. So I was shocked today to see there was so little water I couldn't do a hydrometer check. Not that I could find my hydrometer. Or my inspection mirrors. Or a few other important things to make the job go faster and do it properly.

I had some distilled water but some was not enough, had to go get more.

So here are some suggestions for those who have not done it yet or have not installed a battery watering system.
- Don't wait a year to do it for the first time
- Give yourself plenty of time. It is not easy and if you are not accustomed to working with batteries in enclosed spaces you want to take your time.
- Since the cables have to be disconnected to open the cells, draw a diagram of how they are connected. Then take a picture with your cell phone or other digital camera. Verify the diagram against your picture.
- Have a pad or other protection to kneel on since you will be on your knees a long time
- Have a non-conductive cover to put over the front batteries while you reach in over them to those at the rear.
- Have at least a gallon of distilled water, a small container to pour from, and a small clean funnel
- You really need an inspection mirror to work on those at the rear. Good thing I found mine. And a flashlight.
- A 9/16" wrench is much better than an adjustable
- Disconnect cables connecting to the coach first.
- Do not overfill the cells
- Double check all connections before connecting back to RV when done
- Be careful!

Let me know anything significant I missed.

Jerry,

You have pointed out why I went with installing a box on slides for my batteries.

I use a water bottle like this one to fill my batteries. It doesn't overfill the cell.

[ChallengerRN]

Originally Posted by Butte64

Since I have not used the Palazzo much and since it is such a PITA to open all the coach batteries I have not been servicing them regularly. So I was shocked today to see there was so little water I couldn't do a hydrometer check. Not that I could find my hydrometer. Or my inspection mirrors. Or a few other important things to make the job go faster and do it properly.

I had some distilled water but some was not enough, had to go get more.

So here are some suggestions for those who have not done it yet or have not installed a battery watering system.
- Don't wait a year to do it for the first time
- Give yourself plenty of time. It is not easy and if you are not accustomed to working with batteries in enclosed spaces you want to take your time.
- Since the cables have to be disconnected to open the cells, draw a diagram of how they are connected. Then take a picture with your cell phone or other digital camera. Verify the diagram against your picture.
- Have a pad or other protection to kneel on since you will be on your knees a long time
- Have a non-conductive cover to put over the front batteries while you reach in over them to those at the rear.
- Have at least a gallon of distilled water, a small container to pour from, and a small clean funnel
- You really need an inspection mirror to work on those at the rear. Good thing I found mine. And a flashlight.
- A 9/16" wrench is much better than an adjustable
- Disconnect cables connecting to the coach first.
- Do not overfill the cells
- Double check all connections before connecting back to RV when done
- Be careful!

Let me know anything significant I missed.

Butte

I guess I'm about like you. Not paid much attention to the batteries. I did check mine yesterday after 9 months. Little bit low but not bad. What are the rest of you using to keep your doors working good. Mainly the DEF door & Battery door. They seem to be stiff to open. The two compartments collects plenty of road dust.

[Butte64]

Originally Posted by gmadams

Jerry,

You have pointed out why I went with installing a box on slides for my batteries.

I use a water bottle like this one to fill my batteries. It doesn't overfill the cell.

That looks great. Between the RV and the golf cart I spent way too much time filling batteries yesterday! Where did you get it?

[Butte64]

Originally Posted by ChallengerRN

Butte

I guess I'm about like you. Not paid much attention to the batteries. I did check mine yesterday after 9 months. Little bit low but not bad. What are the rest of you using to keep your doors working good. Mainly the DEF door & Battery door. They seem to be stiff to open. The two compartments collects plenty of road dust.

Mine are not stiff but I have used Boeshield T9 on hinges as well as on the step mechanism.

I have a compressor so have been able to blow out excess dust and dirt. Still contemplating whether to use a water hose to spray clean in the DEF compartment. Haven't seen sufficient ROI on time to do it.

[Freedom65]

Originally Posted by 2LT

We experienced a problem with the inverter reaching a temperature that shut it down. No power and a "fault" came up on the panel in the coach above the entry door. At the time we did not know what the 'fault' was or why we had no power. Called and spoke with a Thor tech. After the Thor tech could not solve the problem over the phone, his advice was for us to take the coach to our dealer.

Fast forward ---- The mechanic at the dealer called Magnum direct and walked them through the 'fix'. The Magnum inverter had shut down due to overheating (we had no fan in the compartment). The reset button on the inverter was the 'fix'.

Thor sent us a fan (no charge) for us to install. So just a heads up to the Palazzo owners that do not have a fan and/or experience excessive temperature in the inverter bay as this can shut the inverter down.

We had a similar problem with our inverter back in March. We had just got home from a 5000 mile trip and were parked in our driveway when I noticed that the fan inside the inverter was running constantly. If I recall the remote inside the coach had a reading that said "stuck relay" initially then after a few hours went blank. Called Thor and tried the reset switch and tried disconnecting the inverter from power, all to no avail. Thor had me take the coach to our repair facility where they talked to Magnum. Finally, Magnum had them remove the inverter cover and they found a fried (resistor - or some sort of electronic piece). They ended up removing inverter and sending it to Magnum where it was repaired and sent back. All is well now but it is a bit scary that this might have happened on the road.

[gmadams]

Originally Posted by Butte64

That looks great. Between the RV and the golf cart I spent way too much time filling batteries yesterday! Where did you get it?

I got mine from a NAPA store.

[tcopeland]

Originally Posted by Butte64

Mine are not stiff but I have used Boeshield T9 on hinges as well as on the step mechanism.

I have a compressor so have been able to blow out excess dust and dirt. Still contemplating whether to use a water hose to spray clean in the DEF compartment. Haven't seen sufficient ROI on time to do it.

I did wash the compartment down. Try to do each time I add def. it does leave a nasty stain.
I installed a set of mud flaps on the duallies that cuts down on the grim.

[ChallengerRN]

Originally Posted by tcopeland

I did wash the compartment down. Try to do each time I add def. it does leave a nasty stain.
I installed a set of mud flaps on the duallies that cuts down on the grim.

I open the door on my LP bay and DEF bay when I get the coach washed at Blue Beacon and have them spray both out. I guess I never thought to have the battery compartment done. Not sure if they would do that or not. I find out next time.