Battery Charging
Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: Forest River r-pod
Forum Name: Maintenance Issues, Tips and Tricks
Forum Description: Have you ever wondered how something works? Found a good way to do something? Discovered the hard way what NOT to do? Share them here.
URL: http://www.rpodNation.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=998
Printed Date: 18 Apr 2024 at 8:28am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.0 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Battery Charging
Posted By: Kenn
Subject: Battery Charging
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2010 at 11:50am
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Hi all,
We just paid for the Rpod 176 from Couch's and we're days away from getting it delivered. We're so excited; however, we have a couplle of questions regarding the battery charging. We have a 4 pin connector and will go to Uhaul on Monday to get a break controller installed and switch out the 4-pin to a 7-pin. The Uhaul lady mentioned about a separate wire to connect to the 7-pin that gives it constant power. Is this necessary? Would this be the only way to charge the battery while driving? Can the battery be charged at all while we're driving?
Thanks,
Kenn
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Replies:
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2010 at 2:24pm
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Yes, the charge line is necessary. It will allow your vehicle's alternator to charge your battery and run your fridge on 12v. This method isn't the be-all-end-all of charging tho: it will add some charge, but don't expect it to fully recharge your battery. I'm not sure what you mean by 'is this the only way to charge the battery by driving?' Did you have something specific in mind? Solar? Or are you asking if driving is the only way to charge the battery? In that case, no: the typical method of charging the battery is to plug your r-pod into a 120v outlet, at which point the converter (which is included with your r-pod) will automatically top-up the battery. ------------- Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray |
Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2010 at 2:53pm
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I see. All I wanted to make sure is that the battery doesn't run out of juice and stop the fridge from working. I know that propane will work, but I'd rather reserve that "power source" for cooking and/or heat. Also, with a "live wire" to the 7-pin, would that put more load on the car bettery? Or would the load only utilize the car bettery if the car is not runnig? |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2010 at 6:41pm
The amount of propane used by the fridge is minimal. You'll get 20-25 days continuous usage from a 20 lb propane tank. The stove also won't consume much - about 1 lb per hour, so unless Gordon Ramsay is preparing Christmas Dinner in your r-pod, it shouldn't have much impact on your propane tank. The hot water heater consumes a bit more propane - about 15 days out of a 20 lb tank. The furnace is the biggest consumer of propane - about 1 lb per hour (depending on how cold it is outside, of course). But propane is inexpensive, easy to refill and easy to monitor the remaining amount, so don't fret too much about it. As far as your battery, there's nothing magical. Yes, when plugged into your vehicle, the r-pod will draw power from your alternator (if the vehicle is running) or your vehicle's battery (if its not). Between the two batteries (r-pod and vehicle), they'll be trying to equalize voltage, so both batteries will deplete at the same time. I'll offer some simple advice: don't worry too much about the battery while towing. If you stop for more than two hours while towing, switch your fridge over to propane (don't forget to switch it back to 12v before you head back onto the highway). Between your alternator, your vehicle's battery and the r-pod's battery everything will be fine while you're hauling down the highway. ------------- Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray |
Kenn wrote:Posted By: pepperpod
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2010 at 7:09pm
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Outbound
That was a great answer. I was thinking the same things that he was. We have camped for many years but we were what you might call "dry campers". we had no fridge or heater. So deprived!!!!  ------------- Pepper,Coach,and Henry (a very brave little Maltese) R Pod 172 The rewards of the journey far outweigh the risk of leaving the harbor...unknown |
Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2010 at 9:31pm
| Cool! Thanks a bunch for the words of wisdom. From what you guys said, I guess I will have that live wire installed on the 7-pin. |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2010 at 10:03pm
Ah... I now understand  If your camping trips will involve traveling for more than four hours or if you'll be doing any dry camping (no electricity), then you definitely need the charge line. Otherwise, you could probably squeak by without it. I'd still recommend that you get it anyway, tho. ------------- Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray |
Posted By: joe&carol
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2010 at 8:24am
Congratulations on your 176. You are certain to enjoy the experience. Otherwise, you mention going to a separate location to get the brake controller, etc installed. February, a year ago, Couch's did all the necessary mods to set up our seven pin connector, brake controller, etc. so everything was known to be working with the pod when we left the dealership. (Left the 4-pin alone so it can contintue to be used.) Obviously, not necessary to do it that way, just a consideration for one stop instead of two. Joe 
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Posted By: Sandpiper
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2010 at 3:00pm
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The amount of propane used by the fridge is minimal. You'll get 20-25 days continuous usage from a 20 lb propane tank. The stove also won't consume much - about 1 lb per hour, so unless Gordon Ramsay is preparing Christmas Dinner in your r-pod, it shouldn't have much impact on your propane tank. The hot water heater consumes a bit more propane - about 15 days out of a 20 lb tank. The furnace is the biggest consumer of propane - about 1 lb per hour (depending on how cold it is outside, of course). But propane is inexpensive, easy to refill and easy to monitor the remaining amount, so don't fret too much about it. As far as your battery, there's nothing magical. Yes, when plugged into your vehicle, the r-pod will draw power from your alternator (if the vehicle is running) or your vehicle's battery (if its not). Between the two batteries (r-pod and vehicle), they'll be trying to equalize voltage, so both batteries will deplete at the same time. I'll offer some simple advice: don't worry too much about the battery while towing. If you stop for more than two hours while towing, switch your fridge over to propane (don't forget to switch it back to 12v before you head back onto the highway). Between your alternator, your vehicle's battery and the r-pod's battery everything will be fine while you're hauling down the highway. [/QUOTE] Outbound You got me thinking with your answer that current would be drawn from both batteries when the TV was not running. I thought I had asked about that when I took delivery of our pod and I thought I had seen some thing about it when I got my brake controller. So after researching my Tow Vehicle, a Ford F150, here is what applies in my case. The Ford is equipped with a Battery Charge Relay that only connects the plug to the truck's battery when the ignition switch is energized. So the Tow Vehicle battery is disconnected from the trailer if the ignition is off. I can only say that for my Tow Vehicle so what you have said may very well be correct for other tow vehicles. The refrigerator will be drawing current from the trailer's battery if it is not switched to propane as you suggested when my Tow Vehicle is shut off. I found your estimates of propane usage very helpful . I had no idea about the consumption rates. Thanks ------------- Sandpiper Mrs.'Piper Ford 150-[Mini Lite 2104S] |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2010 at 6:32pm
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Sandpiper, you're absolutely correct. A http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/RLY-351/12V-SPDT-30-AMP-AUTOMOTIVE-RELAY/-/1.html - relay in your TV can be used to prevent the trailer from drawing down the charge on the TV's battery. There are, of course, advantages and disadvantages to having a relay installed on the charge line. Its a fairly simply install, but I prefer not to have one. ------------- Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray |
Posted By: Sandpiper
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2010 at 6:51pm
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Outbound I my case it was a part of the factory tow package. The relay was left loose in the glove compartment and if I wanted to charge the battery I had to plug the relay in the fuse panel. I really didn't know that was what it was for until you mentioned the battery charge line and I looked up the paper work. I had just blindly installed it without questioning what it really did. Now I know. ------------- Sandpiper Mrs.'Piper Ford 150-[Mini Lite 2104S] |
Posted By: tsunami
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2010 at 7:22pm
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I have a Jeep Liberty with a Prodigy electronic brake controller (7-pin). On a Liberty, the wiring is set-up with the Prodigy, so that the 12VDC feed from the Jeep Alternator/Battery is only sending to the Pod when the engine is running. As soon as I shut off the engine...there is no feed from the Jeep to the Pod. So I don't have to worry about leaving the Pod connected and running down the Jeep's battery. The fridge, set on DC, runs off the Pod's battery when the Jeep is shut down...and off the Jeep when the Liberty is running. I also plug in my Pod to AC, before I go on a trip...so that the Pod's battery is already fully charged before I start to haul it. I am not sure if my Liberty wiring would be able to handle trying to feed a depleted Pod battery (or how long it would take to fully recharge just from the Jeep). I usually just use the vehicle feed to keep the battery 'topped up' while trailering. You might want to check on the possible wiring setup when you go get an electronic brake controller to see if your tow vehicle wiring will be similar to my Jeep's. ------------- tsunami |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2010 at 8:13pm
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I also have a prodigy brake controller - mine is a http://www.tekonsha.com/product/details.asp?ProdID=90185&cat=1435 - Prodigy 90185 , which I installed myself. In the case of my 90185, the charge line was not in any way routed in/through the brake controller, and there was no indication in the instructions that it should be wired so, nor were there any wires on the Prodigy's harness which could have been used for the charge line; my Prodigy's harness had four wires: red - brake actuator, white - 20amp power from battery, black - ground, blue - brake line for bargman connector. The 20amp line from the battery is used to power the brakes. In my case, I had to attach a second 20amp line from the battery to the bargman connector in order to power the charge 'pin.' ------------- Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray |
Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2010 at 10:01pm
Thanks! I wish, I could do it all in the same location, but a 4800 mi round trip to save shipping on the 176 did not appeal to us very well. Jeff has been nothing but helpful, so I have no doubts that in person he will be a lot more.
The big reveal and stuff would be next weekend, when we get the pod
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Posted By: joe&carol
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2010 at 10:15pm
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Kenn - - - You say a 4,800 mile round trip, which sounds like an impressive number and in keeping with your coming from Olympia, WA. Here we'd always thought we were ambitious making a 2,400 mile round trip between Colorado and Hamilton, OH. After seeing your numbers, it shows that we should have been a bit more humble from the start. At any rate, have a great trip. Joe
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Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 1:31am
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Joe - We thought about it and having it delivered heavily outweighed the potential savings. Somteimes time is worth more than money. And with being gone every other year the past 5 years, we decided on delivery.
We just came from the Springs and left there last March for AL, then here. I miss going to Mary Jane every weekend. They even sent me a renewal for a season pass.
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Posted By: wbillar
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 10:21am
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I have a land-line connection at home. Is it good just to leave the trailer pugged in all the time so that the battery stays charged? ------------- Bill |
Posted By: WE-2
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 10:22am
------------- Dick & Kyra 2010 174 L'il B'ger 09 Dakota 4.7L Hampton, Va. |
Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 11:59am
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I believe there have been posts about keeping the Pod plugged in at home.
The converter in the Pod has battery charging abilities when the Pod is "on-grid". (powered by AC), and of course when plugged into Tow Vehicle while towing.
It has a 3 stage charger, which includes a stage that keeps the battery at maxium charge without "over-charging", or harming the battery.
Also, a Deep Cycle battery does need to be (used)discharged to some degree, and then of course re-charged. What I do (since I have a 12V battery home charger) is remove the battery from the Pod, and put it in my basement and then connect it to the charger and monitor it for a few days. Once fully charged/conditioned I disconnect the charger then let the battery sit for at lease a few days, then test it to see if it retaining the charge. I do this once a month while the Pod is in storage.
If you have the capability of parking the Pod at home, and plugging it in, then in essence this is the same thing Im doing, only the battery is being maintained by the Pod converter unit.
Im not sure, however, if leaving it constantly connected is ok. Disconnecting the battery to test its integrity is recommended, after leaving it "Rest" for at least a day after charging/conditioning.
I have a little device that came with my charger that shows 3 levels of charge, Full-50%-or Dead.
So, I put it on the charger once a month and before we go pick up the Pod for the season.
At that point we should be ok for the season, that is if the battery is able to maintain a full charge for a month then it should be ok for a month of no camping once the battery is returned to the Pod.
Weather conditions do effect this process, so if your keeping the battery in the Pod, and the Pod is always plugged in, then you'll be ok if the battery doesnt mind being charged and maintained by the Pod charger for an extended amout of time.
I would recommend that, if you can, check the battery for charge and if it starts to drop off, then plug the Pod back in to charge/condition the battery. (just keep a close eye on it at first)
Im sure someone with more experience than me will comment on this thread, so check back.
We have some very very smart campers here that luv to help other campers out.
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Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 1:19pm
Yes, its fine; no worries. Feel free to leave it plugged in at home 24/7. Once the battery is fully charged, the converter goes into 'maintenance' mode to keep the battery topped-up (it acts much like a Battery Tender). The converter has been designed to take good care of your battery.
As long as you haven't been putting any major loads on the battery (e.g. a light or two is ok; running the fridge on 12v is not; just after recharging the battery is not), you can cheat and just take a reading right away without disconnecting. Just turn off everything using 12v, wait a minute or two, and then check your meter. It'll be close enough for horseshoes. ------------- Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray |
Posted By: tsunami
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 1:28pm
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Concerning my Jeep Liberty and Tekonsha Prodigy controller. There are wiring harnesses usually available which allow you to quickly plug the Prodigy into the 'Tow Package' wiring which is installed at the factory. I decided to have the Prodigy installed at Campers World, instead of trying to do it myself. I found out that although there is a 'Chrysler wiring adapter'....it doesn't work with a Jeep Liberty! Even though I had the factory Tow Package...the Liberty did not have the socket for use with the wiring adapter. So instead of a 'ten minute' installation, it took nearly one hour of shop time for the wiring to be run through the firewall to the engine, tap into the necessary wires and to install a circuit breaker. ------------- tsunami |
Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 4:05pm
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I ordered the Honda adapter w/the P3. With the help of a Honda forum, I was able to install it myself in a matter of a few minutes. I found a good path for the wire from the connection to the general area I was putting the P3 mounting brackett. (over steering column and a few obsticules).
I also drilled two holes to mount the brackett. The Honda was pre-wired so the procedure was elementary and quick.
I could only fit one hand under the dash so that was alittle tricky. Ended up cutting my hand too.
The only draw back was when I have the Pod in tow the Honda has no backup lights. I believe that may have been just for our older model of truck.
It surprises me that Jeep would not have this option available, especially with the "factory tow package". There are more Jeeps out there towing stuff than we can count !!
But I understand how these things go with tow vehicles.
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Posted By: msoctopus52
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2010 at 8:51pm
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We have the 177, we put a 30 amp plug out near the garage so that we can keep the rpod plugged in. The battery had gone down to 2 lights before we plugged it in, its been plugged in for 24 hours now and its still at 2 lights. How long does it take for the battery to charge? My husband has been doing some modifications and he has left the refridge on, will having the refridge on slow the recharge time?? ------------- Mary Jeep unlimited |
Posted By: Sandpiper
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2010 at 9:52pm
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We also have a 177 but I think all model pod's have the Dometic 8501 model fridge. I checked the manual to see the amperage draw for the fridge. The manual says it draws 130 watts or 10.8 amps on 12 volts and 135 watts or 1.1 amps on 120 volts. I'm assuming you have the same fridge. I'm assuming you have the fridge on 120 volts so it shouldn't cause much difference in charging the battery. If the fridge is on 12V it may take a while. By the way there is a misprint in the manual. It says the 8501 draws 1135 watts on 120V. That would be 9.5 amps. ------------- Sandpiper Mrs.'Piper Ford 150-[Mini Lite 2104S] |
Posted By: Tim
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 5:37pm
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Congratulations on your purchase! It's nice to see another Rpod owner in the Olympia area. We saw just one during our camping trips last year, including our summer trip to the Oregon coast. You'll have alot of fun with your new pod. Tim |
Posted By: tsunami
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2010 at 11:09am
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My Jeep Liberty is a few years old. If I were buying a new Liberty, I would check with my dealer to see if the new units have the 'adapter socket' under the dash! Chrysler always has tried to cut the most corners in cutting costs. Maybe that's why the company is nose-diving. ------------- tsunami |
Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2010 at 10:58pm
| Speaking of fridge, does it automaticcaly convert to whatever source it needs? |
Posted By: Sandpiper
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2010 at 11:34pm
No it doesn't. You must manually select the source of power. I am unable to tell you the procedue but it is relatively simple. Look at the manual and it will explain it. ------------- Sandpiper Mrs.'Piper Ford 150-[Mini Lite 2104S] |
Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2010 at 11:46pm
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On our model there is a button and an indicator for each type of source.
by tapping the button (selector) you cycle through the sources.
Usually Battery, LP, or 120V ( not necessarily in that order )
If we hold down the selector continously the unit will totally power off.
We havent turned it back on yet, so Im assuming we repeat to turn it on.
If you choose a "source" and that source is not available, I believe the source indicator light will flash (blink). *** if there is power available ***
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Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2010 at 12:47am
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Thanks Tim! Maybe we'll see you guys around.
We went and explored the pod again and found that the model we got in the 176 was the manual one. There is an automatic one that's available.
BTW - the pod's battery does not last 9 hours with the fridge 2 main lights and the bathroom lights on. The battery was fully charged when I started the experiment. So, the trick is to figure out how long the battery can last on what devices.
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Posted By: TrailRider
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2019 at 4:12pm
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I have been using the land line to stayed chargedalso, then for some reason it stopped working. Any suggestions why it stopped? I checked the fuses and circuit breakers and they are all good. I pulled the 30amp fuse and put it back in and the cooling fan when on for about 5 seconds and then went off. ------------- Broken in the dust again! |