Dual Batteries

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   You must make sure that the +12 volt line is at least 10 gauge, even better would be 8 gauge.  Similarly the negative line must either be attached to the frame within 6-12 inches or must also be 10 or 8 gauge all the way back to the battery.  Unfortunately most hitch installers - and possibly factory-installed tow packages - use the same cheap 12 or 14 gauge wire that the rest of the Bargeman connections use (turn signals, running lights, etc).

The reason is by itself the battery, if fairly discharged, will draw so many amps you will get a large voltage drop and end up with not enough voltage potential to put any charge into the pod's battery.  Add on the fridge in 12 volt mode (around 10 amps) and the game is over when using the cheap stuff.  This is one area where you get what you pay for.

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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	Topic: Dual Batteries Posted: 05 Sep 2011 at 8:59pm
	You must make sure that the +12 volt line is at least 10 gauge, even better would be 8 gauge. Similarly the negative line must either be attached to the frame within 6-12 inches or must also be 10 or 8 gauge all the way back to the battery. Unfortunately most hitch installers - and possibly factory-installed tow packages - use the same cheap 12 or 14 gauge wire that the rest of the Bargeman connections use (turn signals, running lights, etc). The reason is by itself the battery, if fairly discharged, will draw so many amps you will get a large voltage drop and end up with not enough voltage potential to put any charge into the pod's battery. Add on the fridge in 12 volt mode (around 10 amps) and the game is over when using the cheap stuff. This is one area where you get what you pay for.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

TerryM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Location: Saint Augustine Online Status: Offline Posts: 1950	Posted: 05 Sep 2011 at 4:46pm
	It sounds like it would charge the Pod okay. Terry
	RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565

Zilbub Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06 Mar 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Posted: 05 Sep 2011 at 4:13pm
	I have a 2007 Chevy Colorado with a towing package and added the electrical supply to match the Pod's. I actually had a Chevy dealer add it so I'm sure it should charge the Pod battery if the Pod is set up to do that.

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: 05 Sep 2011 at 9:08am
	Ours does.. what is your TV and what does it's owners manual say? Even if it came with a towing package and pre-wired for a controller, you may need to add a relay or fuse to use the charging circuit.. we did.

Zilbub Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06 Mar 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Posted: 05 Sep 2011 at 8:47am
	Thanks for the comments. I think we will try single battery. We're just planning on camping w/o hookups for two nights at the most. We also have LEDs in two fixtures so those could be used most of the time. Here's another question. When I'm towing, does the TV charge the Pod battery? Jon

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: 05 Sep 2011 at 8:24am
	Terry brings up a good point, if you have all/most of your lights on, that is a fair bit of power drain.. unless you switch to LED's. My figures show that now that we have all LED's, we can have them all on for less draw than just one of the double lights drew with the incandescent bulbs.. (actually, just more than a single bulb)

TerryM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Location: Saint Augustine Online Status: Offline Posts: 1950	Posted: 05 Sep 2011 at 4:21am
	A lot depends on how much electric you plan on using. If it is a dark day because of cloud cover you would tend to use lights more. How long are you planning to boondock? Terry
	RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565

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: 04 Sep 2011 at 5:30pm
	No problem, the converter has a good 3-stage charger. You may not need a 2nd battery, we've gone long weekends taking 4 showers, running lights, the fan, and still had power left. If you will be out for a week then you will either need a 2nd battery, or another option is every other day you can jump to your TV's battery with good jumper cables and run the engine for 30 minutes. That will put a bulk charge on it.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Zilbub Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06 Mar 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Posted: 04 Sep 2011 at 5:09pm
	Actually, I leave my Pod plugged in all the time when it is stored. Is there a problem doing this?

Tidalwave4455 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Location: minnesota Online Status: Offline Posts: 57	Posted: 04 Sep 2011 at 11:02am
	You may wish to install a 'cut-off' switch between your Pod and the dual batteries. Having to disconnect the Pod positive cable and the batteries is usually a hassle. The Pod has 'parasitically' current drain due to the gas detectors, etc. I have found that I sometimes have left the refrigerator on after emptying it. The cut-off switch makes sure that nothing in the Pod is going to drain down the batteries when it is being stored.