Upgrade batteries and propane - R-pod Owners Forum

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Sms9758

Newbie

Joined: 09 Apr 2015
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 16

Topic: Upgrade batteries and propane
Posted: 27 Jun 2015 at 4:22pm

Thanks. Will be picking one of these this week!

Sms9758

Newbie

Joined: 09 Apr 2015
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 16

Posted: 27 Jun 2015 at 4:21pm

Which Trojans did you buy. We have the t-125 and there doesn't seem to be enough room for both cases

WIRpodder

Newbie

Joined: 01 Apr 2015
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 27

Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 10:30pm

I went with two Trojan 6V golf cart batteries and with the dual propane tank setup. I don't notice any weight issues, but I do have a WDH.

2011 Nissan Titan
2015 Rpod 171

techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

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

Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 7:36am

This is the best "small" inverter on the market. A bit pricey, but it is completely sealed with no fan to replace. http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/inverters/moin/mosu300wasiw.html

Same wattage, but old-style with a fan, and cheaper: http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/inverters/sasiwain1/samlex-pst-series-pure-sine-wave-inverters.html

300 watts is the most you'll need if you are charging a laptop or two and phone or two and watching a little television. Do NOT buy into the hype of a 2000 watt inverter to run your microwave. 2000 watts is too much for a 12 volt system, you need 24 or 48 volts for that - and a much larger battery bank.

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

Guests

Guest Group

Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 6:40am

I added battery and 2nd propane (as well as spare tire & power jack) with no problems at all.

Initially I was looking at 6v batteries but decided they were WAY too heavy. I believe the 12v will work fine for my needs since I have a solar panel also. Below is link to upgrade specifics:

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6202&OB=ASC

Pooterpod

Newbie

Joined: 13 May 2015
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38

Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 8:32pm

I like the extra tongue weight, you will get less sway with a little more weight up front. Mine went from 280 to 340 pounds by adding a second group 24 battery ,sticking my two Yamaha generators and around 65 lbs of toolbox up front inside. This is with a full fresh water tank. It definitely towed better. YRMV.

ToolmanJohn View Drop Down

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Apr 2014
Location: Connecticut
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 451

Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 5:23pm

With the addition of another propane tank and battery, you should still be well under the 600 pound limit of your hitch. Hte two 6 volt golf cart batteries will indeed be heavier. A simple test would be to weight a full propane tank, weigh your own battery and compare that to a golf cart battery PLUS the second one. You can then see how much more it will add. If you don't currently know your tongue weight, there are ways of using a 200-300 pound bathroom scale to measure it on a flat driveway.

If you need an Inverter (convert 12VDC to 120VAC), first determine the watts you'll need, add 10-20% to that total, then read a lot of reviews on Amazon.

2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI

Sms9758

Newbie

Joined: 09 Apr 2015
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 16

Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 4:40pm

I recently purchased a 179 and have had it out a few times. Now i want to be able to take advantage of more campgrounds that do not have electric sites.

I am looking at changing the battery out with two six volt ones for longer duration of power and adding another propane tank as well.

Is there any issue with the tongue weight with these additions? TV rated for 600 pounds.

I also am looking at pure sine converters. Any hint on which is better?

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Sms9758 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Apr 2015 Location: Ohio Online Status: Offline Posts: 16	Topic: Upgrade batteries and propane Posted: 27 Jun 2015 at 4:22pm
	Thanks. Will be picking one of these this week!

Sms9758 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Apr 2015 Location: Ohio Online Status: Offline Posts: 16	Posted: 27 Jun 2015 at 4:21pm
	Which Trojans did you buy. We have the t-125 and there doesn't seem to be enough room for both cases

WIRpodder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 Apr 2015 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 27	Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 10:30pm
	I went with two Trojan 6V golf cart batteries and with the dual propane tank setup. I don't notice any weight issues, but I do have a WDH.
	2011 Nissan Titan 2015 Rpod 171

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: 16 Jun 2015 at 7:36am
	This is the best "small" inverter on the market. A bit pricey, but it is completely sealed with no fan to replace. http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/inverters/moin/mosu300wasiw.html Same wattage, but old-style with a fan, and cheaper: http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/inverters/sasiwain1/samlex-pst-series-pure-sine-wave-inverters.html 300 watts is the most you'll need if you are charging a laptop or two and phone or two and watching a little television. Do NOT buy into the hype of a 2000 watt inverter to run your microwave. 2000 watts is too much for a 12 volt system, you need 24 or 48 volts for that - and a much larger battery bank.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 6:40am
	I added battery and 2nd propane (as well as spare tire & power jack) with no problems at all. Initially I was looking at 6v batteries but decided they were WAY too heavy. I believe the 12v will work fine for my needs since I have a solar panel also. Below is link to upgrade specifics: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6202&OB=ASC

Pooterpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 May 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 38	Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 8:32pm
	I like the extra tongue weight, you will get less sway with a little more weight up front. Mine went from 280 to 340 pounds by adding a second group 24 battery ,sticking my two Yamaha generators and around 65 lbs of toolbox up front inside. This is with a full fresh water tank. It definitely towed better. YRMV.

ToolmanJohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451	Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 5:23pm
	With the addition of another propane tank and battery, you should still be well under the 600 pound limit of your hitch. Hte two 6 volt golf cart batteries will indeed be heavier. A simple test would be to weight a full propane tank, weigh your own battery and compare that to a golf cart battery PLUS the second one. You can then see how much more it will add. If you don't currently know your tongue weight, there are ways of using a 200-300 pound bathroom scale to measure it on a flat driveway. If you need an Inverter (convert 12VDC to 120VAC), first determine the watts you'll need, add 10-20% to that total, then read a lot of reviews on Amazon.
	2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI

Sms9758 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Apr 2015 Location: Ohio Online Status: Offline Posts: 16	Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 4:40pm
	I recently purchased a 179 and have had it out a few times. Now i want to be able to take advantage of more campgrounds that do not have electric sites. I am looking at changing the battery out with two six volt ones for longer duration of power and adding another propane tank as well. Is there any issue with the tongue weight with these additions? TV rated for 600 pounds. I also am looking at pure sine converters. Any hint on which is better?