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KDHfan

Newbie

Joined: 30 May 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 24

Topic: General questions...
Posted: 10 Jun 2012 at 1:14pm

Thanks, guys!

Mark, Beth, Nolan & Madeline
2012 182G... "NoMad"
TV - 2012 Nissan Armada
SB/WDB

techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 at 3:40pm

Two things I'll add - while you shouldn't keep the black water tank valve open (as furpod said), it is ok to leave the gray water tank valve open. When the black tank is at least 2/3 full then close the gray tank and let it fill up (2-3 showers will do it, it doesn't take long). Empty the black tank first, then the gray tank (that will flush out the hose), leaving the gray tank open again.

My last TV (tow vehicle) had constant power to the Bargman so I always shifted the fridge to propane if we stopped for more than a half-hour and often wouldn't move it back until we got to camp. 12 volt mode uses about 10 amps per hour (not including the other 12 volt stuff like the LP detector) which is a significant draw if the engine isn't running. If we were camping with no hookups I would start off with the fridge on propane before we left and it would stay there until we got home.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

furpod

Moderator Group - pHp

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 at 1:34pm

NEVER use full hookups and leave your valves open. NEVER.

All the "fluids" will run off, and the "solids" will... solidify. There will be a Mt. Poop directly under your seat.. that WILL require manual, yes manual, removal. You don't want to go there. Ever. Wait until ATLEAST 2/3rds full, then dump.

The hose hookup on the curb side of you camper is not for flushing lines, it goes DIRECTLY to your black water tank, to rinse it. Use "as needed"

Running on propane while driving won't hurt a thing. I never do it. LOL.

But, I don't bother to turn off the battery connection when stopped. If you have pre-cooled your 'fridge before hitting the road, and have a good load of cold stuff in there, it will take hours to run your house battery down running the 'fridge. I run a dual battery setup, and found through a short experiment last year that it took more than 12 hours to run my batteries down to 50% running just the fridge.

As far as 12v draw when connected, depends on the TV, on mine, if the key is off, the 12v is disabled at the Bargman, so a trailer cannot run down the vehicle battery, but I do not believe all trucks to be wired/relayed this way.

EDIT: Oh, and welcome to the forum, and Podding.. have great trip to chocolate heaven.

KDHfan

Newbie

Joined: 30 May 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 24

Posted: 07 Jun 2012 at 1:21pm

These aren't particular to Rpod... but questions from a newbie non the less...

1. When camping with full hookups, should i keep the sewer line hooked up and just leave the valve on the Pod open? Or have it closed and dump it occasionally? I believe the manual says to wait until it's 2/3 full before dumping but i've seen other campers attach the hose and leave it (maybe just being lazy?).

2. The water connection on the door side of the Pod for flushing the lines... is that something I should use each time I dump or is that just for winterization and/or occasional cleaning? I don't really see anything in the manual about it. Anything else to know/be care of, when using that feature?

3. I don't want to run our fridge on propane while traveling... is there anything to know about using the battery for the fridge? I assume that when we stop for more than 10-minutes or so i should disconnect the battery (i installed a kill switch) to save it... but it should stay fully charged during transit, correct? Even if i pull the kill switch, will it then draw from my TV battery if that's connected?

Thanks all! We're off to Hershey next week... bring on the chocolate!

Mark, Beth, Nolan & Madeline
2012 182G... "NoMad"
TV - 2012 Nissan Armada
SB/WDB

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KDHfan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30 May 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Online Status: Offline Posts: 24	Topic: General questions... Posted: 10 Jun 2012 at 1:14pm
	Thanks, guys!
	Mark, Beth, Nolan & Madeline 2012 182G... "NoMad" TV - 2012 Nissan Armada SB/WDB

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 07 Jun 2012 at 3:40pm
	Two things I'll add - while you shouldn't keep the black water tank valve open (as furpod said), it is ok to leave the gray water tank valve open. When the black tank is at least 2/3 full then close the gray tank and let it fill up (2-3 showers will do it, it doesn't take long). Empty the black tank first, then the gray tank (that will flush out the hose), leaving the gray tank open again. My last TV (tow vehicle) had constant power to the Bargman so I always shifted the fridge to propane if we stopped for more than a half-hour and often wouldn't move it back until we got to camp. 12 volt mode uses about 10 amps per hour (not including the other 12 volt stuff like the LP detector) which is a significant draw if the engine isn't running. If we were camping with no hookups I would start off with the fridge on propane before we left and it would stay there until we got home.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 07 Jun 2012 at 1:34pm
	NEVER use full hookups and leave your valves open. NEVER. All the "fluids" will run off, and the "solids" will... solidify. There will be a Mt. Poop directly under your seat.. that WILL require manual, yes manual, removal. You don't want to go there. Ever. Wait until ATLEAST 2/3rds full, then dump. The hose hookup on the curb side of you camper is not for flushing lines, it goes DIRECTLY to your black water tank, to rinse it. Use "as needed" Running on propane while driving won't hurt a thing. I never do it. LOL. But, I don't bother to turn off the battery connection when stopped. If you have pre-cooled your 'fridge before hitting the road, and have a good load of cold stuff in there, it will take hours to run your house battery down running the 'fridge. I run a dual battery setup, and found through a short experiment last year that it took more than 12 hours to run my batteries down to 50% running just the fridge. As far as 12v draw when connected, depends on the TV, on mine, if the key is off, the 12v is disabled at the Bargman, so a trailer cannot run down the vehicle battery, but I do not believe all trucks to be wired/relayed this way. EDIT: Oh, and welcome to the forum, and Podding.. have great trip to chocolate heaven.

KDHfan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30 May 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Online Status: Offline Posts: 24	Posted: 07 Jun 2012 at 1:21pm
	These aren't particular to Rpod... but questions from a newbie non the less... 1. When camping with full hookups, should i keep the sewer line hooked up and just leave the valve on the Pod open? Or have it closed and dump it occasionally? I believe the manual says to wait until it's 2/3 full before dumping but i've seen other campers attach the hose and leave it (maybe just being lazy?). 2. The water connection on the door side of the Pod for flushing the lines... is that something I should use each time I dump or is that just for winterization and/or occasional cleaning? I don't really see anything in the manual about it. Anything else to know/be care of, when using that feature? 3. I don't want to run our fridge on propane while traveling... is there anything to know about using the battery for the fridge? I assume that when we stop for more than 10-minutes or so i should disconnect the battery (i installed a kill switch) to save it... but it should stay fully charged during transit, correct? Even if i pull the kill switch, will it then draw from my TV battery if that's connected? Thanks all! We're off to Hershey next week... bring on the chocolate!
	Mark, Beth, Nolan & Madeline 2012 182G... "NoMad" TV - 2012 Nissan Armada SB/WDB