Battery low after camping |
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MWFlyboy
Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 2017 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
Topic: Battery low after camping Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 7:54pm |
My wife and I purchased a 180 last year. We’ve noticed an issue with our battery charging and I’m not sure why this is occurring.
When the trailer is parked at our storage facility we have it plugged into a standard 110V volt household outlet to keep the battery charged. Whenever we start a trip the battery indicator shows “Good.” We tow to our campsite running the fridge off battery, then connect to 30 AMP shore power. We are usually connected to shore power for two to three days. When we break down camp and disconnect the shore power the battery indicator always shows “Low.” My question is, why would the battery successfully charge at the storage facility over a few days, but not charge while hooked up to 30 AMP shore power at a campsite? Any input would be very much appreciated! Thanks, Matt |
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 8:56pm |
Seems odd. Do you always camp at the same site? It acts like the 30A shore power connection is not working. Also, don't run the fridge on battery. It will kill the battery. Run the fridge on propane even while you're driving. Most people do.
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Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 9:17pm |
It would be good to get a circuit analyzer. The power pole might not be wired correctly. I had that happen. I have the Camco Heavy Duty Dogbone RV Circuit Analyzer. It caught the defective pole so I was able to move to a different site.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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MWFlyboy
Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 2017 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
Posted: 18 Aug 2018 at 9:48pm |
Thanks for the tip on the refridgerator!
Always different campsites, so that variable can most likely be removed. We run the A/C, microwave and use our outlets, so from that standpoint the 30 AMP shore power should be functioning. |
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419 |
Posted: 19 Aug 2018 at 1:31am |
I run my fridge on battery when traveling, my TV has no issues charging same. I think you need to look at the convertor and make sure all the phases are working correctly, with a low battery your convertor fan should be running and the convertor in normal or bulk mode. Check with a voltmeter and don't rely on monitor gauge.
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Mike Carter
2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
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mjlrpod
Senior Member Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 1214 |
Posted: 19 Aug 2018 at 7:29am |
I also run the fridge on battery to travel. I also know that my T.V. outputs a charge to the battery. I know many people run propane as they drive, without a problem. I also know many people climb onto their roof without a safety line and don't fall off. Doesn't make it safe. Driving along with an open flame, especially into a gas station is just plain NOT a recommended thing to do. If you asked 100 people, "hey, do you think it's a good idea to pull into a gas station with a small fire burning in the back of my truck" I feel more than 51 percent would say no, along with calling you a dope. You have a real problem with your battery charge, don't mask it by doing something less safe, it needs to be fixed.
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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
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john in idaho
Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 611 |
Posted: 19 Aug 2018 at 9:13am |
Have you topped off the batteries with distilled water? The batteries are hard to see in the rPod box. I check mine 3 or 4 times a year and am always amazed at how much water each cell takes even tho I can see the surface reflection . Be sure to use a flashlite and a turkey baster or big syringe to add water.
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MWFlyboy
Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 2017 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
Posted: 19 Aug 2018 at 9:15am |
Thanks for the additional advice! Point taken. I’ll investigate the converter.
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 19 Aug 2018 at 2:38pm |
I have screens in the refrigerator, furnace, and water heater vents to keep wasps out. Screens act as a flame arrestor, so when I am going down the road, I do not have an open flame.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419 |
Posted: 19 Aug 2018 at 3:02pm |
+1 to SH
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Mike Carter
2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
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