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Cap 
Newbie 
Joined: 18 Oct 2017 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2 |
 Topic: Running the fridge while drivingPosted: 20 Oct 2017 at 1:23pm |
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I have a Dometic refrig and when I plug it into shore power, the alarm goes off. It works well on propane and battery. Anyone have this problem, or can offer any information?
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp 
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 13 Jun 2016 at 11:23am |
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Maybe this will help those that learn visually: https://www.etrailer.com/static/images/pics/q/u/qu41784_800.jpg
The pin that is labeled "brake controller output" is the yellow line that comes from the brake controller and runs to the brakes. typically it only outputs 6-8 volts depending on the setting on the controller (for lighter trailers). The line labeled "12v battery power" runs from the TV battery to the pod battery and to the converter where it splits up to run the lights, fan, fridge "brains", 12 volt fridge heater (when fridge is set to 12 volt mode), and LP detector (the one by the floor). The fridge heater or a low pod battery will both overload this line on most factory or aftermarket Bargeman installations since they use 12 gauge wiring - which gives you a voltage drop between the TV and pod battery, and due to physics this forces the fridge to pull only from the pod battery. The pod battery itself won't charge. After 8 hours on the road you arrive in-camp with a dead pod battery and warm fridge. This happened during our last long trip with our pod with our new Suburban. I didn't check the size of this wire so assumed I would use 12 volt mode because the gas mode wasn't working. Wondered why the temperature slowly climbed as we monitored our remote display in the TV. Didn't realize until we got back what the problem was. You really need 10 gauge (also too small for the worst conditions) or 8 gauge (best). Turn/brake left/right, and running lights have their own separate wiring, too. The Achilles heel is the ground line. If it makes a bad connection or is sized too small before it connects to the pod and/or TV frame, it can affect everything listed above. It should be sized large, short, and go directly to the frame on each side.
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ToolmanJohn
Senior Member 
Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451 |
Posted: 13 Jun 2016 at 6:33am |
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As CharlieM stated, the only time the trailer brakes get any 12V power from the trailer battery is if the breakaway switch is pulled and a closed circuit is made. Trailer brakes 100% of the time normally get their power from the tow vehicle connection.
If your trailer battery is dead, and your trailer "breaks away" from your tow vehicle, and your safety chains break or weren't used, it's going to be a BAD day and a runaway trailer. And, I always tow with propane ON for the fridge cooling. My camping locations are always NO Hookups. So I want my 2 batteries at full charge when I arrive for the weekend. And I never bring my generator, since I know I won't be running the A/C and 2 batteries is enough as long as the furnace isn't used heavily. Like others have noted, there are MANY RVs that do NOT have a 12V option for the fridge, which means they must travel with propane on, or fridge off. |
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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
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CharlieM
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 12 Jun 2016 at 10:27pm |
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When towing the brakes get all their power from the TV through the brake controller. The TT battery is out of the circuit. But under breakaway conditions the TV is down the road apiece. Dead battery=no brakes.
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Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
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Tars Tarkas
Senior Member
Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446 |
Posted: 12 Jun 2016 at 10:13pm |
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Interesting question. I assume the trailer brakes are powered by voltage from the TV (except in the case of emergency break-away), but I don't know for sure.
TT |
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser |
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Rustler
Senior Member
Joined: 07 May 2016 Location: S. Oregon Coast Online Status: Offline Posts: 100 |
Posted: 12 Jun 2016 at 9:41pm |
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There's been a lot of good information shared on this thread. I don't remember seeing anyone mention whether a discharged camper battery would reduce the effectiveness of the trailer brakes. I assume you would get enough current through the the tow vehicle connection. But perhaps the voltage applied to the brakes would be higher with a well-charged camper battery.
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Russ
2009 Toyota RAV4 V6 w/ tow package 2016 Rpod 171 HRE |
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jato
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3216 |
Posted: 12 Jun 2016 at 8:54pm |
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Another podder, since March 2011, who has always used propane for the fridge while traveling. Once tried my battery to cool off the fridge while sitting at home a day before leaving. Was disappointed in that after 8 hours my battery was totally drained, and my fridge was still warm. Since then have used 110 when at home to cool off fridge 12 hours before leaving, then run on propane the rest of the time.
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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." |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 12 Jun 2016 at 8:46pm |
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Yeah I keep meaning to add a relay but it is on the bottom of that long to-do list...
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6285 |
Posted: 12 Jun 2016 at 9:24am |
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If you know you will be leaving it for extended periods, install a battery cut-off switch (see my mods for an example). That will disconnect the battery from the R-Pod and eliminate the discharge caused by the LP/CO2 detector, etc. You should still check it periodically though and recharge as suggested. I hope you get your battery problem solved. Please enjoy your time with your grandkids. We will be going to see ours in December. We will be going in our R-Pod, but likely won't be camping with them. |
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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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R&J
Newbie
Joined: 04 Oct 2015 Location: Mudgee NSW Aust Online Status: Offline Posts: 27 |
Posted: 11 Jun 2016 at 9:57pm |
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Great discussion we only ran on 12v but fact most big fridges don't run on 12v convinced me that running on gas is ok so that's what we will do to preserve battery charge.
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Rhona & John
POD: 2015 179 'OzPod' Tow: 2014 Holden Colorado |
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Running the fridge while driving
. I'll try to do better in the future 
.