gas propane detedtor alarm - R-pod Owners Forum

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hogone

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Joined: 09 Apr 2013
Location: St. Louis
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Topic: gas propane detedtor alarm
Posted: 21 Jun 2013 at 10:56am

I love my 9 inch big screen(I didn't think it was even 9 in)!!! I don't watch alot of TV when out, but this is something I am going to upgrade/improve. Just haven't found exactly what I'm looking for, in fact not sure what I'm looking for. Bigger screen for sure, not sure on the hook-up/bracket system however. There's alot of ideas that have been posted, just not sure which way to go.

Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2010 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
2009 HD Lowrider
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CharlieM

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Posted: 21 Jun 2013 at 10:34am

The microwave and the small 9 inch ElCheapo TV only run on 120V and therefore draw nothing from the battery. I don't know about the larger LCDs. If they run on 12V they probably draw battery current when off. The fridge must draw something even when off because you can restart it by holding the button. A"soft start". Other than that the only draw should be the propane detector which, If I recall correctly, is in the order of 100 milliamperes. Should last a long time.

Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

hogone

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Posted: 21 Jun 2013 at 9:55am

Good info. I keep my microwave and TV unplugged. What do you mean by "self discharge"; just the natural discharging over time dependent on conditions,or intentionally discharging the battery?

Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2010 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
2009 HD Lowrider
CHEESEHEAD

bhamster

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Joined: 19 May 2011
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Posted: 21 Jun 2013 at 9:34am

Originally posted by hogone

The only draw when parked would be the gas detector correct?

Anything that has a "soft" switch will draw some current. That includes the fridge (yes even when off) and the thermostat. There are other sneaky things like the antenna amplifier than you have to make sure to turn off, but luckily they do have hard switches. Don't forget about self-discharge of the battery...

TerryM

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Posted: 21 Jun 2013 at 9:27am

There are a lot of "phantom" loads that draw current when the camper is just setting: the TV, refrigerator, microwave and as you know the LP detector. The each don't draw much but they do add up. Anything, at home or RV, that you can turn on instantly uses power in the off mode. Its the electronics.

Terry

RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4
Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565

hogone

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Posted: 21 Jun 2013 at 7:02am

Another quick note. I always plug my pod in 2 days prior to use to cool the fridge and obviously put a charge on the battery. If for some reason I don't go on an excursion, I charge monthly.

Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2010 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
2009 HD Lowrider
CHEESEHEAD

hogone

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Posted: 21 Jun 2013 at 6:47am

techntrek: have seen several posts regarding disconnecting battery. I never have, including over winter Been 3 weeks since my last trip, and batteries remain fully charged (or at least indicator says they are!). I'm sure that is best practice, but is it necessary if you are using monthly? The only draw when parked would be the gas detector correct? If ones battery would drain in a week strictly from this detector, I would assume a bad battery or something else is going on. Just curious.

Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2010 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
2009 HD Lowrider
CHEESEHEAD

techntrek

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Posted: 20 Jun 2013 at 10:38pm

That's only the first step. You must fully charge the battery and then disconnect the battery from the pod if you will not keep the pod plugged in while at home. The LP detector will give you an alarm if the battery has gotten too low, and a week unplugged is just about right for that to happen.

You must charge the battery overnight once a month, by reconnecting the battery and plugging the pod in. Then disconnecting both again.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual