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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Generator question
    Posted: 02 May 2011 at 9:59pm
Your 'pod should have come with its own deep cycle battery, which will run a fan overnight for two nights (plus run some lights and the water pump).  Battery power is better than a genset when you are trying to sleep at night.  At home I have a big 12 kw genset for power outages, but run the basics like my clocks and heat blanket or fans with a battery bank and inverter at night.  You don't need an inverter to run a 12 volt fan.  Have you tried to see how much draft you get through the windows just by using the built-in exhaust fan?  We did this 2 weeks ago one night while Wal-Mart camping, and used the fan on low and it felt great on our feet and heads.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 539 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2011 at 12:04am
Originally posted by techntrek

Your 'pod should have come with its own deep cycle battery . . . . 
 
Hmmm, just as I feared.  I think I made a mistake not insisting that the dealer install a deep cycle battery -- because, of course, I just assumed he would.  It wasn't until I got home that I realized I had just an automotive battery.  I bet that won't run a fan for 2 nights!
 
Guess I should go get a new deep cycle battery, right?
2011 RP 177, the Hodge-PODge
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2011 at 5:33am
 
Guess I should go get a new deep cycle battery, right?
[/QUOTE]
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Maybe, maybe not.  I don't know how much or little you know about batteries, so I'll offer this.....
A typical deep cycle will "look" very similar to an automotive "starting" type battery.  You may have to actually remove it from the battery box to see the words "deep cycle" or "marine" on it.  Also, most will have fill caps on top (like the older car batteries - before they became maintenace free).  Along with this, there are usually  large round battery posts with threaded screw posts right next to them - this is usually where the Pod would be connected - to the threaded post.
 
If there is any doubt, please post a picture and many of us could probably tell, just by looking.  Or, you could google the make/model of the battery and maybe find the info. 
 
If the dealer gave you a "starting" battery, (if were me), I'd have a discussion with them.  Hope this helps.
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mountain mist View Drop Down
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Posts: 426 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2011 at 7:36am
Thanks for all the information. Since the marine batteries are quite expensive, I do not see getting one when there are other things I want to add to the Pod
I have not used the exhaust fan except when I have had full hookups. Use it when cooking and to dry out the shower
Say that I use the exhaust fan for the really hot and stuffy part of the night, since later it becomes quite cool, only when I get home and plug in will the battery recharge, correct?
The Pod came with a battery, but I don't know if it is a marine one or not, will check when I find where the hubby stored it.
Again, thank you for the information, I am thankful for the good answers on this site, as I am just about flying blind. The hubby knows about these things, but thinks I should not be having the Pod unless I KNOW all about it before I had one. Not much willing information to be gotten from him.
By getting some insight from the site, I am getting informed and thusly get information from him.
 
'11 Forest River r.pod 171
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Posts: 32 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2011 at 11:35am
Originally posted by mountain mist

A little more information on the generator I am looking at.
 
1000 running watts
1200 max watts
ETQ 2 stoke air cooled OHV engine
less than 65 db
47 lb.
$139.99


If I may add my thoughts on this. As already mentioned, I would not purchase a 2 stroke due to noise and having to mix oil and gas.
Also, at that price, I really don't think you would be buying anything half decent. You're better off saving for a while and get a 4 stroke unit, which will cost you more.
With regards to your battery that came with your Pod, if it is not a deep cycle/marine, go back to the dealer, as they really ought to provide you with such a type of battery...period. A normal car battery will not last long at all, as they are not designed for 'continuous' use/discharge, hope this helps. Smile
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Posts: 539 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2011 at 7:28pm
Originally posted by David

If the dealer gave you a "starting" battery, (if were me), I'd have a discussion with them.  Hope this helps.
 
Well, what I know about batteries is pretty much nothing.  So I took your advice and got in touch with the dealer.  He assured me my battery was a deep cycle, so that's a relief.  If it weren't raining I'd take a pic and post it so you guys could look at it.  As far as I know, the dealer has shot straight with me about everything else until now so I don't really have any reason to doubt him.
 
Diane
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2011 at 6:25am
This is similar to what came with my existing camper, and Pod, also.  Note the fill caps and threaded connection posts.  I am guessing you're probably OK...unless the dealer was really dumb. 
 
 
 
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2011 at 1:11pm

Not to cause futher confusion, but marine deep cycle batteries are a hybrid between a true deep cycle and a starting battery.  They are designed to be able to start a boat's engine but then last for hours running the lights with the engine off if you are anchored somewhere in a channel.  True deep cycle batteries won't say "marine".  For your typical camping trip - a 2 or 3 day weekend - a marine deep cycle probably will last you as long (between charges and total lifetime) as a true deep cycle, but if you will always dry camp or plan on occasional long-term dry trips you should go with a true deep cycle.  You can get one at Wal-Mart for about $75.

As was already mentioned, a starting battery will die quickly if used as a deep cycle.  Maybe 10 charge/discharge cycles before loosing capacity.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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