Battery Novice, Please Help - R-pod Owners Forum

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SkeeterPod11 View Drop Down

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Joined: 28 Oct 2020
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Topic: Battery Novice, Please Help
Posted: 12 Nov 2020 at 1:16pm

Hi, this is my first time using this forum hopefully I did so correctly.

I just purchased a 2016 rpod 180 and am extremely excited about joining this community. Im new to many aspects of RVing so I’m hoping this forum will bring some guidance. My first topic is batteries. Im hoping to be going from NJ to FL then heading west from Florida. I will be leaving FL in January some time and will be staying south to try to avoid as much poor weather as possible. With that being said I will be needing heat along this trip. I was interested in upgrading the stock battery and potentially using solar as I plan to boondock and camp off grid along the journey. If anyone has some good advice on battery brands that are recommended and will have a little extra power as again I will be using heater and some tech devices along the way. Is dual 6v deep cycle better then one 12v? Any advice would be great. Thanks in advice.

P.S , any other good advice in regards to traveling throughout colder months and gadgets or tools that would make my life easier feel free to add. Thanks again.

EchoGale

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Posted: 12 Nov 2020 at 3:10pm

Welcome! After my first year of this I have gone through many of the investigations you're embarking on. I read on this forum for months bout a basic (simple) solar set up for book docking and settled on the Renogy solar suitcase this summer. I have been very happy with it. You can pick them up used/refurbished on Amazon for about $200 and they come all set up wiht everything you need to attach to your battery and start charging--even without understanding it all yet. :)

Julie

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Posted: 12 Nov 2020 at 3:16pm

We boondock quite a bit and find that 2 golf cart batteries(6 volts each) will provide the most power for the longest time. We also use a 100 watt Renogy solar suitcase system that keeps us in power for days oif we can get about 4-5 hours of sun.

the GC-2 batteries are available at Costco and Sam's club for about $110-115 each. It will require another battery box and one additional connector cable to install.

Use the search function and you will find lots of additional info about batteries-they are always a big topic.

Do not use the battery power for your refrigerator-use propane. the refrigerator use a lot of power and will drain the batteries pretty quick. the other big power user is the furnace fan. It doesn't take much to heat the pods and there are several alternates tot he on board furnace. Several types of propane heaters that require adequate ventilation. also, a small electric cube heater is used if you are plugged in at a campground. they are very efficient and you are already paying for power.

Welcome and safe travels

Vann

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179

offgrid

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Posted: 12 Nov 2020 at 3:26pm

Yes, dual 6V golf cart batteries (case size GC2) is the highest capacity lead acid battery alternative you can fit in the rpod battery rack. You will need two plastic cases for GC2 batteries and one battery jumper, preferably 2 gauge or larger.

You don't say what tow vehicle you have but before you get dual batteries you should be sure you can handle the tongue weight, which will go up quite a bit. You might also want to get a dual propane cylinder setup if you're using the furnace a lot. Same issue with tongue weight there. Or, you can just take the second propane cylinder with you in the tow vehicle. It's legal to do so if its kept vertical and secured in place.

As for solar, if you're frugal with power it might work for you even in winter with poor solar irradiance but you might also want to consider bringing a small generator. Or, if you are moving every couple of days and you have good charging from your tow vehicle connection then you'll be OK as long as you leave the fridge on propane.

Even on the southern route you can run into freezing weather so you'll probably want to leave your water system winterized if/when you are at risk of getting temps down into the 20's. You can use bottled water in the trailer for drinking and food prep and still use the toilet, flushing with some bottled water there too. You'll need use campground showers in those conditions. Unless its really cold and doesn't warm up in the daytime you won't have trouble with your gray and black tanks.

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Colt

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Posted: 12 Nov 2020 at 6:03pm

Two 6V deep-cycle batteries are not "better" than a 12V deep-cycle battery, but the size the guys recommend looks to be the max capacity that will fit in the battery rack. They are heavy, but far cheaper than a Lithium-ion battery. I'd get a pair.

I enjoy my home solar system. But because of Eta, I'm at the end of my 3rd day without useful sun/charging. I had to quit using the system, yesterday, to preserve battery voltage. You will see that in the winter here in The South. Solar alone may not be enough. Your tow vehicle is supposed to be able to charge your battery and mine will keep it alive, but there is enough voltage drop to the plug at the rear, that not too much charging is going on. A little generator would be a comfort. My TV and sound bar only work on 120V.

I bought a small suitcase inverter generator for a song and mine has been excellent. It will run everything in my 180, but the A/C and microwave, including a small stick vac I use and charge the battery. It is quiet. It weighs 20 lbs with fuel. I got mine from Wal-mart, but HD looks to have the best price, now, $179.

http://https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsman-1-000-800-Watt-Gasoline-Powered-Digital-Inverter-Generator-802085/300792167

I will recommend using a low powered heater to break it in for 5 or 6 hours and changing the oil (ignoring the manual). The first oil change will be nasty. I have used it and loaned it out and it has not given any trouble. It's not a Honda, but it's enough. I bought it thinking I'd use it when maintaining my 'Pod, but it has been so nice, I keep finding uses.

I think if you are on I-40 and south, you won't have to worry much about freezing. You'll be in it with the heat on at night and early AM when the temps are lowest.

You can buy a foam pillow to fit in the overhead vent and reduce heat loss there. Some folks here have made window covers from foil covered bubble wrap to insulate the windows. I'd consider that for the windows by the bed, at least. The radiant heat loss through those windows can be uncomfortable at night.

There's all kinds of power adapters, water filters, screens for openings and the like you may want. I covered the stair with a store-bought piece of astro turf because my dog tore a toenail in one of the openings. It looks nicer. I have a fold up mat to put in front of the door. I also put a runner carpet from the bed to the far end of the slide and another small one at the door, just to make it feel better barefoot. And, of course, bath mats in the bathroom. I use Command hooks for towels and a couple of pictures. I make coffee with a Bodum pour over pot. You may want one since you won't have 120V full time.

You will enjoy an electric drill-driver with adapter to raise and lower the corner stabilizers. Be sure to get a wheel lug cross and jack to change flats. Wedges for the tires can help levelling the 'Pod.

I LOVE my rear view camera. You can see what's behind you and it helps when backing. I bought a Haloview from Walmart.

Be sure to check and replace the water heater anode. Walmart and Ace Hardware stock them, as does every RV dealer. They seem to be a single standard. My original was gone last fall.

John
'16 R-Pod 180

offgrid

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Posted: 13 Nov 2020 at 8:30am

Originally posted by Colt

Two 6V deep-cycle batteries are not "better" than a 12V deep-cycle battery

Yes, 6V golf cart batteries are better for RV house battery applications than 12V batteries because golf cart deep cycle batteries are constructed differently. That is unless you find a 12V battery designed for deep cycle use, but those are rare.

Battery design like everything else involves tradeofffs. In lead acid batteries the basic trade off is between cycling capacity and high current capability. That tradeoff changes the way the lead plates in the batteries are configured. As the batteries are discharged the negative plates are getting consumed and the positive plates are growing. When you recharge the revere occurs.

Deep cycle batteries like those used in golf carts have fewer thicker plates which means that they can handle deep cycling better than SLI (starting, lights, ignition) automotive batteries, which have more and thinner plates. More plates in the SLI batteries creates more surface area which allows for the high currents (hundreds of amps) required to run the strater. SLI (automotive) batteries are rarely called upon to deep cycle.

Since you will never have a requirement for high currents like that in an rPod the SLI automotive batteries are not the best choice. The "marine" deep cycle 12V batteries are an in between compromise because they need to be designed to both start the boat engines and cycle for the boat house loads, so they're not ideal for an RV house battery either. RV applications are quite close in requirements to golf cart applications, requiring a battery to undergo relatively slow but deep charge and discharge cycles.

The other benefit to going with two 6V batteries in series rather than 2 12V batteries in parallel is that the series connection assures that both batteries always get the same charge and discharge currents. When batteries are in parallel the charge and discharge each sees will be different due to inevitable variations in the internal resistance of the two batteries. Over time this will result in one battery getting exercised more than the other one.

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

SkeeterPod11 View Drop Down

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Posted: 13 Nov 2020 at 2:50pm

First off thank you all for your prompt responses. I already see so much benefit to joining this forum.

I still have much to learn about batteries but as most of you mentioned and from what I've been reading. Two 6V Deep Cycle Golf Cart batteries does appear to be a popular choice.

This is one I was looking at, https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/battery/rv/deep-cycle/6/sligc115 , but there still appears to be differences under the 6V & 12V DC GC umbrella. So I will continue to learn about these.

I also found these 12V DC batteries,

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sligc12vt ,

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/battery/rv/deep-cycle/12/sli31dtmagmdc

Is AGM batteries a better call? I also will be looking into Renogy solar systems as were recommended by "podpeople" and "offgrid" I noticed 3 types on there website, AGM, GEL, Lithium-Iron. Is one more recommended the the other?

"colt" I was looking into a inverter generator as well. I've been looking into ones like you mentioned all the way up to this one https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-watt-super-quiet-inverter-generator-63584.html

I was also contemplating a Jackery 1000w power station, https://www.amazon.com/Jackery-Portable-Explorer-Generator-Emergency/dp/B083KBKJ8Q/ref=asc_df_B083KBKJ8Q/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=416672338041&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5269818653921859646&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003516&hvtargid=pla-908516796636&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=94717460820&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=416672338041&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5269818653921859646&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003516&hvtargid=pla-908516796636. That I could use a electric heater with and either use solar or the inverter generator to charge it. I will also be exploring insulation options as you mentioned and love the rear backup camera idea.

offgrid

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Posted: 13 Nov 2020 at 4:22pm

SkeeterPod11, two batteries of the type in the first link would be fine. The second battery link seemed to not go to a specific product. The third went to a 12V AGM battery which is much more expensive. You would need two of those in parallel to be in the same capacity range as the first link.

I would go with AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries only if you are not up for maintaining your battery water level yourself. A standard flooded battery is much cheaper and less susceptible to overcharging than an AGM (or gelled electrolyte) battery. That's because if you do over charge a flooded battery you can easily just add distilled water. But you have to be willing to take the time to check the battery water level every couple of weeks to a month and add distilled water as needed. If you can't see your way clear to do that get the AGM or gel cell batt.

Lithium batteries are the very best you can get and are much much lighter as well. That could be important if you need the capacity and are pushing your tow vehicle tongue weight limit. Not only are they lighter but they can be cycled much deeper and tolerate many more cycles. But, they are much more expensive and require you to change your charging systems, meaning both your ac to dc converter, your tow vehicle charger, and your solar charge system if you have one. So quite a complicated mod. That will require you to either become knowledgeable enough to DIY it or hire an expert.

re the Jackery thing, that is just a battery in a box, not a charging source like a generator or solar is. Don't waste your money. Solar is great, get a portable 100 watt or so solar kit with a charge controller.

If you want to get a generator as well for those cloudy periods. First consideration on the generator is whether you want to be able to run the microwave and/or the air conditioner (come summer). If you do, you will need a 2000 watt plus generator at least. Lots of discussion on generators on this forum, use the search function to find them.

Don't even think about using an electric space heater unless you have shore power. Neither solar or a generator or the jackery thing will run it, waaay too much energy. Use your propane heater when you are off grid.

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

StephenH

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Posted: 13 Nov 2020 at 5:19pm

Hello and welcome! I hope you have many fun adventures and make many great memories with your RPod.

I used two 6V GC2 batteries for several years. I use a CPAP machine and the last thing I need is to run out of power. I was able to get multiple days between charges while dry camping. Now I have one 100A LiFePO4 battery. It required several other changes that you can see in my mods. It does save a lot of weight and can be put inside since it does not generate flammable hydrogen gas. You can get deep cycle 12V batteries, but a true deep cycle 12V battery seems to be a rare thing. Most of the batteries are hybrid starting/deep cycle marine batteries. While they may work, they won't have the capacity that a pair of 6V GC2 batteries will have unless the 12V one is as large and heavy as the two 6V batteries. I like my less than 30 lb LiFePO4 battery over the 120 lbs of lead-acid batteries I used to carry.

StephenH
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DKowen

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Posted: 06 Jan 2021 at 1:30pm

I'm looking to buy a generator as a backup. What is the best generator to buy? I was looking at Honda and Generac

DPO