Question about the battery draw

Originally posted by DavMar Originally posted by CharlieM As for the FR 2 Amp estimate, that's similar to some presidential inauguration attendance claims. BS.   Don't want to get political here but I have to say +1 on that statement which gave me a big chuckle!

Yes, let's not venture into political matters.

Rpod Owners Forum doesn't have 27 pages of rules/community standards. However, we do have 4 subject matters that we avoid - politics is one of them.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.



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Originally posted by CharlieM As for the FR 2 Amp estimate, that's similar to some presidential inauguration attendance claims. BS.

Don't want to get political here but I have to say +1 on that statement which gave me a big chuckle!

You, and others are also right that the normal draw should only be around . to .2A and that it should take at least a couple weeks to drain the battery.

Thanks all. What I was primarily curious about was what the normal draw on an R-pod was. I can't believe that 2 amp in any way can be normal and I think .4 amp measured at the battery with a multi meter in series with the battery, as in my case, can be right either. In any case, the first thing I did when realizing this draw was to install a cutoff switch and I use a BatteryMINDer Plus from Northern Tools to maintain the battery. That works fine but I still question the draw and that the fan in the converter start for a short time when connecting/disconnecting the battery. As soon as I get time and can bring the pod home I will start disconnecting items to see where the draw is. Again, thanks for the feedback.

Your dealer probably installed an inexpensive group 24 12V battery. I purchased and brought with me 2 6V batteries when we picked ours up. Your battery likely has at best 70-80 AH. The dual-6V batteries (wired in series to give me 12V) give me 215 AH. If the newer 'Pods have more phantom draws from things like USB chargers, then a few days may be all you could expect, especially if the battery has already been discharged fully which may have damaged the capability to fully accept a charge.
Have you considered buying a battery charger that has a battery reconditioning function? I have two. One is a Stanley BC1509 which is a 15A charger with Battery Recondition function. I keep this one at home. The second one I purchased when our converter went bad and I needed to charge the batteries. I don't remember the brand and rating off the top of my head, but it also had the recondition function. It travels with us just in case.

If your pod is really pulling .4A and you have a standard, single group 24 battery in perfect health..

and.. lets say your not letting the battery go below 50% SOC, which is about 12.1v, and the point where damage starts.. giving you "about" 40aH to play with..

Then in 100 hours, you are at the tipping point of damage. A hair over 4 days.

Now if you have let your battery drop bellow 50% SOC, then it's damaged and you are going to have less then 40aH to begin with.

You can disconnect the battery, reduce parasitic loads, plug in when not in use, or add more 12v storage.