Thor battery problems

[Budhumph]

After terrible battery problems during a lengthy dry camp, I did a system update that turned out to be a royal pain. First, listening to all that good advice about replacing the original single stage charge controller with a multi-stage one, I did. The half-dozen connection wires were mo problem but then the new controller would not fit into the space in the bottom of the electrical panel designed to hold it. I had to grind off the mounting plate to make it fit and it is so much larger than the little original single-stage that I’m afraid that it may over-heat. Then, also as recommended, I replaced the old 12volt batteries with two 6 volt series-connected golf cart batteries. Again I took advice and bought Trogen T-105 top of the line batteries. That’s when I discovered another “space” problem. Trogen batteries are a bit too tall to fit into the Thor battery space beneath an entrance step. To make them fit I had to re-attach the step two inches higher and install two by two inch thick wood strips beneath the front and sides of the step, for support. What should have been a couple of simple jobs turned out to be really big jobs fitting “ten pounds”into Thor’s crappy “five pound” compartments. A word to the wise—-do a LOT of measuring before buying upgraded equipment.

[avfordguy]

Geez, my old 07 Fleetwood tioga has a 3 stage charge controller with 2 6volt batteries, I guess thor is really cutting corners.

[lwmcguire]

My Tuscany has the 3 stage Inverter charger and plenty of room for Trojans

It depends on the price point

Thor doesn't hide anything they just have multiple levels for what folks deem important

[lwmcguire]

Post should reflect what Thor, not just make a generic comment

[twinboat]

I ran into the same issues when I dropped a GC 2 into the battery tray. Couldn't close the step cover.

I already had the used 6 volt batteries for the test fit, so rather then changing things, I went with a new pair of 100 AH GP31 12 volt deep cycle batteries from Sams Club.

[ThePowells]

I replaced ours with the Duralast 6v that are same size as Trojans. I had to slide ours back in the tray, then attach the crossover cable from underneath and use blocks to prevent any radical battery shifting. I had planned on reworking the battery box and make it to where it could be dropped down about 6 inches for maintenance, but moving up sooner has kinda killed that idea. I just remembered, I also used a hydraulic jack to create enough clearance for the posts and caps to clear and everything came back into place when retracted.