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noatakme

Newbie

Joined: 14 Aug 2018
Location: Middletown PA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 18

Topic: New owner
Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 5:13pm

Hello R-Pod owners,

We just picked up our 2015 R-Pod 177 Monday. We drove from Harrisburg PA to Pittsburgh PA, Spent an hour or so transferring ownership, then, hauled it back to Harrisburg. What a long day. almost 500 mile round trip. We are very happy with it so far. I am not familiar with the systems yet. It is still winterized. The 2 year old battery would not charge past 4.7 volts using my 2 amp charger. The charger says "Check the battery". We are probably going to buy the cheap Autozone 12 volt marine battery for now. Their website specs show Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 800, Cranking Amps (CA): 1000, Reserve Capacity (min): 180 min at 25 Amps. Does anyone happen to know how long the furnace can run and how much gas it would use? I was hoping to stay out at least a night or two. Any advice on how to stay off grid for three nights? If you are only supposed to let the battery power drop no more than 50%, how will I know when to cut the battery off? I am new to this and we are starting to learn. Any advice on anything R-pod or camping is welcome.

Paul

EchoGale

Senior Member

Joined: 10 Mar 2019
Location: FL
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 461

Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 5:29pm

Hi Paul, congrats on the new camper. I'm new here myself (bought a 2016 172 a little over a month ago). I've been wondering some of the same things about the batteries so I'll be watching for the answers you get. Happy camping!

Julie

Happy Tripping View Drop Down

Senior Member

Joined: 27 May 2014
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 473

Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 5:32pm

Welcome, you're about to get lots of info here.

My own take - With no electricity, treat your r-pod this time of year as a big tent, the weather looks like it is moderating out east for the next 10 days or so. Blankets or sleeping bags for the nite, the heater is great but you won't really need it. Head lamps work really good to minimize battery use, even for reading at nite. With a full battery, I have no trouble with 3 nights, but I am very careful with electricity use and don't ever use the tv. Also, "Deep cycle" batteries are much more forgiving in recovering from low charges than car batteries.

If you have 'shore power" (an electric hook up) things really get easy but it sounds like you are boondocking. I am sure you'll enjoy your trip.

podwerkz

Senior Member

Joined: 11 Mar 2019
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 966

Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 5:35pm

A marine starting battery wont last very long, you would be way better off to buy a true deep cycle marine/RV battery.

Next in order of preference will be a combination starting/deep cycle, which are much more common at auto parts stores and big box stores. It might have a CCA rating or MCA rating but it SHOULD have an amp hour (ah) rating.

It's this ah rating that tells you it's rated for deep cycle use. Typical ah numbers for a 'group 24' battery wil be in the 80 to 100 ah range.

Expect to pay around $80-$120 or so for a decent group 24 deep cycle battery.

r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!

GlueGuy

Senior Member

Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2629

Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 6:04pm

^^^^^ What he said ^^^^^

Separate from that, pack some good jumper cables and you can boost your battery from your tow vehicle with an hour of idling.

bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

noatakme

Newbie

Joined: 14 Aug 2018
Location: Middletown PA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 18

Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 6:06pm

Thanks podwerkz, That is a great help. I see the difference now. The deep cycle is 10 bucks cheaper too $

Paul

john in idaho View Drop Down

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Joined: 04 Nov 2014
Location: Eagle Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 611

Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 6:40pm

Order a book from Amazon called "12 volt Bible for Boats". An rPod is a boat with wheels. Read it all and you will answer lots of questions you don't know that you don't know.

PilotPodder View Drop Down

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Joined: 04 May 2016
Location: Portage, MI
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Posts: 305

Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 7:05pm

Congrats on the new trailer! Keep asking questions. A 20# propane tank will last me quite a while even when using the heater. At night when it is cold (35-40) I have lots of covers and have the heater kick on at 55 or so. Stay plenty warm and don't burn through too much propane. Again congrats, it's a fun learning experience. ~PP

Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — My RPod YouTube Videos

jato

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3223

Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 8:22pm

Congratulations Paul on your 177. As a 177 owner for 8 + years I expect to get 3 - 4 days per battery when we boondock and when night temps dip into the upper 30's to mid' 40's. Weather factors like wind and how much we use the furnace during the day will determine if we go 3 or 4 days per battery. I use the idiot light on the wall to let me know when my battery is at 1/3 or 33% S.O.C., the other way I can tell is when the furnace starts, if it sounds like the motor is running just a tad slower I switch over to the other battery; we carry two as we boondock a lot and don't use solar to refresh the batteries. What we have are a pair of Interstate group size 24, deep cycle. We got these when we picked up our 177 back in March 2011, so as you can see, if you maintain the battery, it will last quite a while. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the electrolyte levels on a regular basis so that there is always water covering the plates. Also, for the same reason given above, we also carry 2 propane tanks as well.

God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Toyanvil

Senior Member

Joined: 15 Feb 2019
Location: Bakersfield
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 157

Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 9:29pm

I would look for a battery store in your town and look into 6 volt batteries, they will last a lot longer then 12 volt. You will need two for each 12 volt you replace.

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noatakme Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 14 Aug 2018 Location: Middletown PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 18	Topic: New owner Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 5:13pm
	Hello R-Pod owners, We just picked up our 2015 R-Pod 177 Monday. We drove from Harrisburg PA to Pittsburgh PA, Spent an hour or so transferring ownership, then, hauled it back to Harrisburg. What a long day. almost 500 mile round trip. We are very happy with it so far. I am not familiar with the systems yet. It is still winterized. The 2 year old battery would not charge past 4.7 volts using my 2 amp charger. The charger says "Check the battery". We are probably going to buy the cheap Autozone 12 volt marine battery for now. Their website specs show Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 800, Cranking Amps (CA): 1000, Reserve Capacity (min): 180 min at 25 Amps. Does anyone happen to know how long the furnace can run and how much gas it would use? I was hoping to stay out at least a night or two. Any advice on how to stay off grid for three nights? If you are only supposed to let the battery power drop no more than 50%, how will I know when to cut the battery off? I am new to this and we are starting to learn. Any advice on anything R-pod or camping is welcome.
	Paul

EchoGale Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 10 Mar 2019 Location: FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 461	Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 5:29pm
	Hi Paul, congrats on the new camper. I'm new here myself (bought a 2016 172 a little over a month ago). I've been wondering some of the same things about the batteries so I'll be watching for the answers you get. Happy camping!
	Julie

Happy Tripping Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 May 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 473	Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 5:32pm
	Welcome, you're about to get lots of info here. My own take - With no electricity, treat your r-pod this time of year as a big tent, the weather looks like it is moderating out east for the next 10 days or so. Blankets or sleeping bags for the nite, the heater is great but you won't really need it. Head lamps work really good to minimize battery use, even for reading at nite. With a full battery, I have no trouble with 3 nights, but I am very careful with electricity use and don't ever use the tv. Also, "Deep cycle" batteries are much more forgiving in recovering from low charges than car batteries. If you have 'shore power" (an electric hook up) things really get easy but it sounds like you are boondocking. I am sure you'll enjoy your trip.

podwerkz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Mar 2019 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 966	Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 5:35pm
	A marine starting battery wont last very long, you would be way better off to buy a true deep cycle marine/RV battery. Next in order of preference will be a combination starting/deep cycle, which are much more common at auto parts stores and big box stores. It might have a CCA rating or MCA rating but it SHOULD have an amp hour (ah) rating. It's this ah rating that tells you it's rated for deep cycle use. Typical ah numbers for a 'group 24' battery wil be in the 80 to 100 ah range. Expect to pay around $80-$120 or so for a decent group 24 deep cycle battery.
	r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2629	Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 6:04pm
	^^^^^ What he said ^^^^^ Separate from that, pack some good jumper cables and you can boost your battery from your tow vehicle with an hour of idling.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

noatakme Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 14 Aug 2018 Location: Middletown PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 18	Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 6:06pm
	Thanks podwerkz, That is a great help. I see the difference now. The deep cycle is 10 bucks cheaper too $
	Paul

john in idaho Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 611	Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 6:40pm
	Order a book from Amazon called "12 volt Bible for Boats". An rPod is a boat with wheels. Read it all and you will answer lots of questions you don't know that you don't know.

PilotPodder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 May 2016 Location: Portage, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 305	Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 7:05pm
	Congrats on the new trailer! Keep asking questions. A 20# propane tank will last me quite a while even when using the heater. At night when it is cold (35-40) I have lots of covers and have the heater kick on at 55 or so. Stay plenty warm and don't burn through too much propane. Again congrats, it's a fun learning experience. ~PP
	Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — My RPod YouTube Videos

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3223	Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 8:22pm
	Congratulations Paul on your 177. As a 177 owner for 8 + years I expect to get 3 - 4 days per battery when we boondock and when night temps dip into the upper 30's to mid' 40's. Weather factors like wind and how much we use the furnace during the day will determine if we go 3 or 4 days per battery. I use the idiot light on the wall to let me know when my battery is at 1/3 or 33% S.O.C., the other way I can tell is when the furnace starts, if it sounds like the motor is running just a tad slower I switch over to the other battery; we carry two as we boondock a lot and don't use solar to refresh the batteries. What we have are a pair of Interstate group size 24, deep cycle. We got these when we picked up our 177 back in March 2011, so as you can see, if you maintain the battery, it will last quite a while. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the electrolyte levels on a regular basis so that there is always water covering the plates. Also, for the same reason given above, we also carry 2 propane tanks as well.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Toyanvil Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2019 Location: Bakersfield Online Status: Offline Posts: 157	Posted: 27 Mar 2019 at 9:29pm
	I would look for a battery store in your town and look into 6 volt batteries, they will last a lot longer then 12 volt. You will need two for each 12 volt you replace.