dual batteries - R-pod Owners Forum

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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1447

Topic: dual batteries
Posted: 24 Apr 2013 at 5:35am

About six months if you are lucky. Unfortunately for the cost solar is not a good option if you really want to recharge a battery like on a Pod. You would need a much larger array than one of the portables. You can recharge a cell phone or computer, but the smaller arrays may not even overcome the internal resistance in a car type battery.

Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150

bodie55

Senior Member

Joined: 25 Mar 2013
Location: San Francisco
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 100

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 at 10:23pm

Thank you for all the good feedback. We spent some time doing more research on the solar panels this past weekend. On the Zamp website, they have a picture of an r-pod with panels mounted on the roof. We'll probably opt for a portable unit, but need to decide on 40 or 80 watts.

Anyone have a advice on how long it takes to recharge the battery with solar, assuming one has direct sunlight? I'm guessing the 80 watt would be faster, as it's twice as big...

Thanks,

Kristy

Bay Area Crew
2013 178 Beach Pod
F-150 SuperCrew
...sempre in viaggio sul mare...

CharlieM

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 at 9:34pm

Bodie55,

All the above comments are good and relevant. There are many arguments for the dual battery setup. I opted for the second battery and a second 20 pound propane tank in anticipation of camping in National Forest campgrounds. I ordered the second 12 volt group 24 battery from the dealer when I picked up the pod.

However, knowing what I know now, I would do things differently. Each group 24 battery is good for about 80 ampere-hours (AH). Two batteries will provide 160 AH. But, two GC2 6 volt golf cart batteries wired in series will provide 12 volts at 230 AH, about 40 percent more. The two GC2s will fit in the same space as the group 24s and work the same electrically. The cost is a bit more, but the extra capacity is worth it, particularly when using the propane heater, the water pump, and before you convert to LED lighting. You should be able to dicker with your dealer for an exchange.

Welcome to Poddng,

Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

furpod

Moderator Group - pHp

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

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 at 4:11pm

We have done a full week on our dual battery setup. We were still at 12.25v or so. We have full LED lighting, and are careful about our battery use... If.. in an emergency.. you need to top up the battery.. use jumper cables from your tow vehicle battery and run the engine for an hour.. No extra effect with dual batteries, you just get double the useable amp hours.

If you expect that a dual battery setup is in your future.. when picking up your new rig, buy your second battery right then and there, so they are matched as well as possible. Ours were next to each other on the pallet..

bhamster

Senior Member

Joined: 19 May 2011
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 165

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 at 4:03pm

We've dry-camped on a single battery for 4 days before (no heater use) and it worked fine. So your 3 day trip should be fine... just be careful not to leave anything on. We even turn off the propane detector during the day to save power.

When you're considering your options also consider that a solar charger or generator has the ability to extend your trip almost indefinitely, but additional batteries only lengthen it a finite amount. Also remember that batteries only last a few years, but generators and solar panels will last for the foreseeable future. Personally, we only have one battery and use a solar panel and we've never gone below 2/3 on the rpod's battery meter even on a 5 day trip.

bodie55

Senior Member

Joined: 25 Mar 2013
Location: San Francisco
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 100

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 at 1:47pm

In prepping for the big event, we've been researching dry camping. We won't have the opportunity to dry camp at home before we begin the trek back, but we can test it out at the campground we're staying at for a few days after the pick-up, close to the dealer in case there are any bugs to work out.

That being said, we've been searching the forums and have a good idea of holding tanks and propane capacity. I've read found what I can about the battery capacity and it seems like adding a second battery from the beginning might be wise. So my specific question is if we are only using the battery for the water pump, fantastic fan for ventillation, and fridge brains, is it reasonable to expect that a single battery would last for a 3-night dry campout? Is there any synergistic effect by having two batteries, or would we expect to just double the time available? We've comtemplated buying a generator (too expensive for the moment) or getting a small solar charger (I know full sun exposure would be important), but are thinking the second battery (same model, same age) from the start might be a wise investment. Any thoughts?

There are five of us, but the navy showers will work for the adults. The Giant Teen and two little kids can jump in a lake, river or pool. (GT didn't go with us on our shopping adventure for the pod and I'm not even sure if he will fit in the marine bath, but we didn't buy it for him! At 6ft and growing, this should be interesting.) The main reason I wanted my 'fancy tent' is so I can bathe. Flashlights and camp stoves are the norm for us, so using the lights and stove will be minimal no matter where we camp. We are planning to switch out the lights for LEDs.

Everyone has been so helpful so far, and we appreciate all the advice and support for the newbies. Can't wait to get the pod back home and spent the fall weekends on the coast at some random state beach and chill! Waves and tide pools await us:)

Kristy

Bay Area Crew
2013 178 Beach Pod
F-150 SuperCrew
...sempre in viaggio sul mare...

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Keith-N-Dar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 03 Apr 2011 Location: Mayville, WI Online Status: Offline Posts: 1447	Topic: dual batteries Posted: 24 Apr 2013 at 5:35am
	About six months if you are lucky. Unfortunately for the cost solar is not a good option if you really want to recharge a battery like on a Pod. You would need a much larger array than one of the portables. You can recharge a cell phone or computer, but the smaller arrays may not even overcome the internal resistance in a car type battery.
	Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150

bodie55 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Mar 2013 Location: San Francisco Online Status: Offline Posts: 100	Posted: 23 Apr 2013 at 10:23pm
	Thank you for all the good feedback. We spent some time doing more research on the solar panels this past weekend. On the Zamp website, they have a picture of an r-pod with panels mounted on the roof. We'll probably opt for a portable unit, but need to decide on 40 or 80 watts. Anyone have a advice on how long it takes to recharge the battery with solar, assuming one has direct sunlight? I'm guessing the 80 watt would be faster, as it's twice as big... Thanks, Kristy
	Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare...

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 21 Apr 2013 at 9:34pm
	Bodie55, All the above comments are good and relevant. There are many arguments for the dual battery setup. I opted for the second battery and a second 20 pound propane tank in anticipation of camping in National Forest campgrounds. I ordered the second 12 volt group 24 battery from the dealer when I picked up the pod. However, knowing what I know now, I would do things differently. Each group 24 battery is good for about 80 ampere-hours (AH). Two batteries will provide 160 AH. But, two GC2 6 volt golf cart batteries wired in series will provide 12 volts at 230 AH, about 40 percent more. The two GC2s will fit in the same space as the group 24s and work the same electrically. The cost is a bit more, but the extra capacity is worth it, particularly when using the propane heater, the water pump, and before you convert to LED lighting. You should be able to dicker with your dealer for an exchange. Welcome to Poddng,
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

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: 21 Apr 2013 at 4:11pm
	We have done a full week on our dual battery setup. We were still at 12.25v or so. We have full LED lighting, and are careful about our battery use... If.. in an emergency.. you need to top up the battery.. use jumper cables from your tow vehicle battery and run the engine for an hour.. No extra effect with dual batteries, you just get double the useable amp hours. If you expect that a dual battery setup is in your future.. when picking up your new rig, buy your second battery right then and there, so they are matched as well as possible. Ours were next to each other on the pallet..

bhamster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19 May 2011 Location: Washington Online Status: Offline Posts: 165	Posted: 21 Apr 2013 at 4:03pm
	We've dry-camped on a single battery for 4 days before (no heater use) and it worked fine. So your 3 day trip should be fine... just be careful not to leave anything on. We even turn off the propane detector during the day to save power. When you're considering your options also consider that a solar charger or generator has the ability to extend your trip almost indefinitely, but additional batteries only lengthen it a finite amount. Also remember that batteries only last a few years, but generators and solar panels will last for the foreseeable future. Personally, we only have one battery and use a solar panel and we've never gone below 2/3 on the rpod's battery meter even on a 5 day trip.

bodie55 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Mar 2013 Location: San Francisco Online Status: Offline Posts: 100	Posted: 21 Apr 2013 at 1:47pm
	In prepping for the big event, we've been researching dry camping. We won't have the opportunity to dry camp at home before we begin the trek back, but we can test it out at the campground we're staying at for a few days after the pick-up, close to the dealer in case there are any bugs to work out. That being said, we've been searching the forums and have a good idea of holding tanks and propane capacity. I've read found what I can about the battery capacity and it seems like adding a second battery from the beginning might be wise. So my specific question is if we are only using the battery for the water pump, fantastic fan for ventillation, and fridge brains, is it reasonable to expect that a single battery would last for a 3-night dry campout? Is there any synergistic effect by having two batteries, or would we expect to just double the time available? We've comtemplated buying a generator (too expensive for the moment) or getting a small solar charger (I know full sun exposure would be important), but are thinking the second battery (same model, same age) from the start might be a wise investment. Any thoughts? There are five of us, but the navy showers will work for the adults. The Giant Teen and two little kids can jump in a lake, river or pool. (GT didn't go with us on our shopping adventure for the pod and I'm not even sure if he will fit in the marine bath, but we didn't buy it for him! At 6ft and growing, this should be interesting.) The main reason I wanted my 'fancy tent' is so I can bathe. Flashlights and camp stoves are the norm for us, so using the lights and stove will be minimal no matter where we camp. We are planning to switch out the lights for LEDs. Everyone has been so helpful so far, and we appreciate all the advice and support for the newbies. Can't wait to get the pod back home and spent the fall weekends on the coast at some random state beach and chill! Waves and tide pools await us:) Kristy
	Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare...