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 > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Heater power
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedHeater power
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <123>
Author
Message Reverse Sort Order
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Direct Link To This Post Topic: Heater power
    Posted: 17 Aug 2011 at 7:45pm
I think it worth mentioning that most everything in this forum is presented as opinion and information.  It is the duty of the reader to digest the material and determine within themselves what, if any, course of action they may choose to take. 
 
While I can only speak for myself, I gain or lose nothing regardless of how anyone hooks up their batteries, lifts their matresses, empties their black tanks, etc.  Anything that I offer is done so out of generosity of spirit and within the limits of my knowledge and experience.  Others may do things differently or be of a different opinion - that's OK - refer to the opening paragraph.
 
At the end of the day, it is your (readers) TT.  If you ask for advise/opinions, you'll likely get several from some real nice folks who are willing to take time out their busy schedules to help you.     
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2011 at 10:25am
Discussion is good, no bad intentions from either side I'm sure.  Smile
 
The solar forum I mentioned in that other thread is full of guys that have been running large battery banks for years (some for decades).  They all talk about problems they had with early implementations where the slightest imbalance between parallel strings caused early failure of cells or entire batteries.  Many of them discharge shallowly, less than 10%, and few go below 50% DOD.  Just passing along their experience.
 
One way to get around this problem for campers is to use two 6 volt golf cart batteries in series - same overall capacity but nothing in parallel so physics ensures an even draw/charge for both batteries.  My own battery bank at home is 16 12 volt batteries in series (192 volts nominal), so no issues with parallel strings there, either.  Later I'll convert to a 48 volt nominal system and I'll go to 6 volt batteries so everything is still in series, but at half of the total capacity since I don't need a 22 kw battery bank.
 
That UK site has many other good articles, such as long explanations of the Peukert effect and a dowloadable calculator so you can calculate based on your own loads.  Few understand it or the advantage it brings to using multiple batteries at the same time.  Yes its a commercial site, but their techical section is unbiased from what I've read.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2011 at 8:16am
  Sorry to have posted I guess.
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2011 at 10:51pm

Your left battery has more wire between it and the load (and the charging source), the right battery has less since it is directly connected to the trailer's leads.  Extra wire = more resistance, so the left battery will always be discharged less than the one on the right, and will always be charged less.  By moving your positive wire to the left battery you have an equal length of wire from each battery so they will discharge and charge more evenly.

David's first link leads to a post that has a link to an excellent site that explains all.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2011 at 3:43pm
In what way do you believe it to be stressed?


Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2011 at 4:48pm
furpod, take a look at David's first link, above.  They way you have yours wired, over time you will stress the battery that is directly attached to the 'pod's battery terminals.  Its an easy solution, just move the positive battery cable from the battery on the right (in your middle picture) to the battery on the left.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 2011 at 5:05pm
Originally posted by Chuck


I'd love a pic if it's not too much trouble. Thanks


Hopefully, someone will show you the right way.
Back to Top
Chuck View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 29 Apr 2011
Location: Waukesha WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 140 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Aug 2011 at 2:06pm
Originally posted by David

I'll throw in my $.02
[
If you would like a picture of my dual set up - I'll take one for you.


I'd love a pic if it's not too much trouble. Thanks
Z-pod
Chuck Janet & Bogie the dog
'12 RP 177
1972 Shasta 1400
2005 Ford F-150 5.3L V8
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Aug 2011 at 10:53am
I'll throw in my $.02
 
 
Here is my disconnect switch
 
 
There are several suppliers of switches.  You only need one.  In addition, you'll need 2 short battery cables, which can be purchased at Walmart, AutoZone, etc.
 
If you would like a picture of my dual set up - I'll take one for you.
Back to Top
Chuck View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 29 Apr 2011
Location: Waukesha WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 140 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Aug 2011 at 9:53am
How do you wire them together? Is there any trick/risk to doing it?
Z-pod
Chuck Janet & Bogie the dog
'12 RP 177
1972 Shasta 1400
2005 Ford F-150 5.3L V8
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <123>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

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