RV Battery from Tow Vehicle 12V |
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Grant177
Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 65 |
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Topic: RV Battery from Tow Vehicle 12V Posted: 22 Mar 2020 at 3:38pm |
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Hey all,
Never had a RV before (with a battery) and/or a TV with a 7 pin connector, so just collecting general information at this point and making sure I have an understanding of how it all works... My understanding is that the amperage coming from the TV on what I think is Pin 4 (12V AUX) at the 1:00 position, is basically enough to maintain a battery charged but not enough to charge if depleted any significant amount? Additionally, I also see threads where some say to actually use propane to keep your fridge chilled (while driving), and other say this is not a good idea (crash/safety etc). Will the fridge run on 12V when the TV is running or is the amperage not high enough? Sorry for the newbie questions.... Grant |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 2020 at 4:03pm | |||
Welcome and congratulations! What RPod did you get? I hope you have many fun adventures and make many great memories doing so. Some general thoughts: 1. On some vehicles, there is not enough power going through the connector to both charge the batteries and run the refrigerator. Other vehicles can do both. 2. On some vehicles, a fuse/breaker needs to be installed before the power will go through the wire to the trailer. 3. Because I have experienced the inability of the tow vehicle to both charge the battery and run the refrigerator at the same time, I have been running with propane almost since we purchased our RPod. I have not had any trouble doing so. The main area of concern is tunnels or other places where leaking propane could accumulate and cause an explosion. The flame is well contained in the vehicle and is well sheltered, so it won't go out while driving. Even if it did, the refrigerator should re-light itself. 4. If you have not done so, invest in some screens to keep mud dauber wasps from building a nest in the refrigerator's burner area or flue. No problem with the newbie questions. We all were newbies once.
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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 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 2020 at 4:15pm | |||
Hey Grant,
In a standard RV configuration. The TV side at the 1300 position is the 12V power connection. If your TV is configured correctly with a fused connection you should be able to charge the TT battery thru your 7 pin connector. I have two different TVs and they both will charge the TT battery thru the 7 pin connector. Are there cases where that charge is not sufficient, I have heard so, but I can't testify to that with my assets. Mine work. Many use the fridge on propane when traveling, I can't find an instance of that being a significant accident issue. Some say it is. I have traveled with fridge on 12V and on propane, no issues thus far. I know there are regulations that stipulate you have all propane devices off (tunnels) primarily on the east coast. Lastly, my fridge runs fine on 12V power while traveling, however my 12V AUX is configured correctly, it is fused and it works. It is adequate to charge the battery, while the battery is in use. Again, I am not against switching the fridge to propane. I have done so in past. |
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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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Grant177
Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 65 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 2020 at 4:59pm | |||
2011 R-Pod 177....brand new, 10 years old (see below). TV is a 2019 Nissan Frontier, factory wired with towing option with the 7 pin trailer connector etc. I'll go dig out the fuse/specs on it, but I would be greatly surprised if it was not factory fused etc. I am just not sure of it's specs/ratings etc.
I've also added a CURT Manufacturing 51170 Spectrum proportional brake controller. Just had to plug it into the factory harness and all good to go! Cool little controller and looks factory on the dash... I'm considering the Anderson WD / Sway chain hitch, but have added Sumosprings to the rear truck suspension and it easily tows...going to do a few test highway runs this year, and see if I need the added WD and sway control. The Sumosprings dampen any bounce and can easily handle the weight...so it's really more sway I am concerned about. I'll load it carefully weight-wise. In terms of battery, I would like to do some boondocking (mostly) so I've also just made myself a portable solar suitcase and solar charge controller setup as well to feed the existing battery (Group 31, 105Ah flooded). I'm considering a lithium upgrade depending on how this year goes and wife enjoys things... I picked up the 177 at auction last fall. It is literally a brand new R-Pod...looks like it was never used...it just happens to be 10 years old. I have the "spoiler" running lights recall scheduled to be added, and am going to get it fully safety inspected etc. Even though the tires look like they are brand new, they are 10 years old (2010 date code on them) so they are going....Goodyear Endurance replacements ordered. I have yet to test the heater, AC, etc as I picked up it late last fall and only had time to give it a quick winterizing before the snow came.... Can't wait to get at it again.... |
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Grant
2011 R-Pod 177 |
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Tars Tarkas
Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 2020 at 5:05pm | |||
You may have to test carefully regarding keeping the RV battery charged from the TV. Some setups allow for that, others don't. Some vehicles shut off that wire when the TV stops so as avoid the TV battery being depleted during a lunch stop or overnight, for example. Other vehicles will let you run both batteries down if you forget to disconnect the RV. There doesn't seem to be any consistency in all this. The situation can be exasperated by running the fridge on 12v power. As a guy on the internet, I can tell you that there is no reason not to run the fridge on propane while traveling. I've done a good bit of research. There are no laws or regulations against running the fridge on propane while traveling, except, as noted above, on the odd ferry or tunnel. Gas stations don't blow up when you go into fill up. Many RVs, especially the big ones, don't even have fridges that run on 12 volts. All that said, some people have strong opinions on the subject. Other people on the internet will tell you the opposite , so you'll just have to decide for yourself. TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser |
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mjlrpod
Senior Member Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 1214 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 2020 at 5:07pm | |||
If you use a multimeter and check your 7 pin connector, you will be sure if you can run on battery or not. If you put one lead on the 1'oclock position (12V), and the second lead on the 7'oclock position (ground). you should see a number like 13.8 - 14.3 or so on the meter (set to 20 DC volts). If you have that, you can charge the battery as you run the fridge while towing. You should of course, already have the fridge cold the night before you leave, so it takes very little power to keep it cold. I never used to use propane while I tow. My new pod doesn't have a battery option. But I get it cold then put ice in it. On long runs, I'll stop 20 minutes here and there for bathroom, etc.. and run it on propane till I get going again. I see no real need to run on propane while towing.
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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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Grant177
Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 65 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 2020 at 8:11pm | |||
Thanks again all. I tested the 12V AUX pin earlier today and it does have 13.8 - 14.4 Volts on it while the engine is running. I am still trying the verify the amperage capacity, but it seems there is a 30A fuse on that circuit...
When the vehicle is off, I'll need to test if V is supplied so as to not run down the battery. Propane being so cheap and the system easy to manage, I think I'll be looking at that as the go-to for the fridge. I do have a CPAP machine, so making sure I have solid 12V power for at least 6 hours every night is important to me...I've got a 200W solar suitcase setup, a small generator (if need be), and a DC-DC power supply for the CPAP which is much easier on the power usage (turning off humidifer etc), so should be OK. I'll swap out all the lights in the R-Pod for LED...what else uses DC in these? |
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Grant
2011 R-Pod 177 |
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 2020 at 7:54am | |||
My vehicles - 12V is present with engine OFF. Must unplug. Fridge control board uses 12V, as does the slide.
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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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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 2020 at 9:49am | |||
What you can do is add a small voltmeter to monitor the battery state better than the panel lights can. You could also install a battery monitor to keep track of the amperage for charging and discharging and that will be even better than a simple voltmeter. I did that. You can look in my mods to see what I did for my LiFePO4 battery modification. There is a picture of the battery monitor I purchased and installed which is the AiLi Voltmeter Ammeter. You may need a Custom Cable for this monitor because the cable that came with it is relatively short. I wanted to mount the monitor in a group with the other meters/switches so I purchased this. If I had the tools to fabricate it, I would have made it. I could have cut the wire that came with it and spliced in additional wiring, but I did not want to do that.
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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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Our pod
Groupie Joined: 03 Oct 2016 Location: Olympia WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 62 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 2020 at 2:36pm | |||
I switched to two 6 volt batteries after my 12 volt battery was stolen. I then added a 12 volt power outlet (cigarette lighter socket), splicing into the stereo 's power supply. I won't be using both at the same time.
I can then recharge the batteries completely using my Zamp PV briefcase, although that requires moving the PV. Luckily, moving the PV synchronizes with recharging my beverage container. I can also monitor the battery voltage, and hence the state of charge, with a digital meter that plugs into the 12 volt outlet. |
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Life is good.
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