R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > I need HELP!!!
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: battery & solar panel??
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic Closedbattery & solar panel??
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
K8i View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 12 Aug 2017
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: battery & solar panel??
    Posted: 08 Jun 2018 at 8:18am
I have an Rpod 179, and I want to purchase a new pair of batteries and a solar panel. Does anyone have any preferences or if you have done this what did you go with? Thank you in advance.
Back to Top
Leo B View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2018 at 8:31am
We use a renogy 100 watt solar panel to keep our battery charged. Works well so far.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
Back to Top
Pod People View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 22 Sep 2011
Location: Chapel Hill,NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1067 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2018 at 1:11pm
We also use the renogy 100 watt suitcase pannel and love it. We use 2 six volt golf cart batteries from Sam’s Club and would recommend them. As I recall, they are about 210-220 amp hours each and cost about $115 each. We have used the warranty replacement and there was no question asked when one failed.
Vann

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
Back to Top
K8i View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 12 Aug 2017
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2018 at 8:09pm
Thank you! If you have any advice on what you feel has been some important or useful purchase/s for your Rpod i'd appreciate it as well? Any space savers etc?
Back to Top
K8i View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 12 Aug 2017
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2018 at 8:29pm
Originally posted by Pod People

We also use the renogy 100 watt suitcase pannel and love it. We use 2 six volt golf cart batteries from Sam’s Club and would recommend them. As I recall, they are about 210-220 amp hours each and cost about $115 each. We have used the warranty replacement and there was no question asked when one failed.
Vann
 

Did you need to buy anything extra hookup wise for the solar panel, or it is compatible with the solar panel port the rpod has? Also, what was the brand of batteries? thanks in advance
Back to Top
Pod People View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 22 Sep 2011
Location: Chapel Hill,NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1067 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2018 at 8:20am
The brand changes at Sam's. . We have Duracell and it has been very reliable.

We did not use the "prewired" port, but did our own system.  We used a 30 amp rv extension cord to connect  the solar panel to a 30 amp receptacle on the outside of the pod.  We used 8 gauge wire from the receptacle to the controller and also 8 gauge wiring from the controller to the batteries.

here is the original post when I did the work-
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8194&KW=solar&PID=77377&title=installing-a-renogy-100-watt-suitcase-solar-panel#77377

this was done on our 173.  since then, we have sold that pod and purchased a 179.  I totally redid the installation, but used the same concept and the same materials.
Hope this helps
Vann

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
Back to Top
cosmo751 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 22 Mar 2015
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 39 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2018 at 11:15am
I found that the prewired port was opposite polarity from the plug supplied with my Renogy suitcase. Use your voltmeter to determine for sure and reverse the connection as need. Easy peasy..
"He not busy being born is busy dying."
Back to Top
Andy View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 11 Feb 2018
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 65 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jun 2018 at 5:34pm
I purchased the GoPower 80watt suitcase and it works every well.  It also comes with several attachment options so that you can plug directly into the zamp receiver or you can attach with alligator clips on the posts or you can install to the battery and run the Anderson clip outside the battery box for quick access.  I've actually used several options during the same day due to weather conditions and sun location.
Back to Top
rumman View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 18 Oct 2014
Location: Edmonton, AB
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 16 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jun 2018 at 6:20pm
160 Watt solar panel installed on the roof, solar controller, into two 6 volt GC Batteries. Works great have not run out of power in the last four years, usually out boondocking for at least a 5  to 7 day period during the summer on many occasions. Best money I ever spent.
2014 RPod 179 towed by 2016 Chev Colorado (V6).
Back to Top
Mirado View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 20 Oct 2017
Location: NW Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jun 2018 at 9:14am
rumman - what means did you use for roof mounting of the panel?
Miriam and Doug
2015 Rpod 181G
Silverado 1500
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz