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Topic ClosedRunning the fridge while driving
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Running the fridge while driving
    Posted: 11 Jun 2016 at 10:46am
Originally posted by Enríquez



So far I think my first mistake was running the fridge while traveling.
Could the second and bigger mistake be that I left the battery all winter with no recharging?


Yes and Yes. Run the fridge on gas while traveling and check the battery every 2-3 months in storage. Recharge when it reads 12.0V. Have fun with the grandkids.
Charlie
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Enríquez View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jun 2016 at 8:24am
Hey Charlie,

Terrific advice, very precise. My neighbor has a volt meter.
So far I think my first mistake was running the fridge while traveling.
Could the second and bigger mistake be that I left the battery all winter with no recharging?

I'm going to figure this out fast. My grandkids are coming from Norway in July and we are going on several r-pod trips. 

Gracias,

Enríquez
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 9:41pm
Originally posted by techntrek

The voltage may still be present with the engine off in some cases.  Chevy doesn't turn it off, but I think Ford does.

Yeah, I keep forgetting about you Chevy guys. I meant the voltage should disappear. What I forgot to add is if it doesn't, get the damn thing fixed!" Tongue. I'll try to do better in the future Smile .
Charlie
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 9:29pm
The voltage may still be present with the engine off in some cases.  Chevy doesn't turn it off, but I think Ford does.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 9:20pm
There are several things you can check with a digital voltmeter. With the engine running and the 7 pin Bargman disconnected, check between pin 4 and pin 1. You should see 13+ volts. The voltage should disappear when you turn off the engine.



Next, with the engine running, the trailer connected and everything in the trailer off including the fridge, measure voltage at the battery terminals. Again you should see 13+ volts. If both these tests pass your TV and TT are wired correctly. Please note that, as Techntrek and others have said, running the fridge on 12VDC while driving is marginal at best and may totally discharge the battery at worst.
Charlie
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Enríquez View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 8:55pm
Any suggestions on how I check if a charge is being sent in from the tow vehicle?

Thanks for such a quick answer!

Enríquez
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 8:53pm
Yup, sounds like either the charge line is sized too small.  True for most factory and aftermarket installations which all use 12 gauge when you need 10 or 8, I've shown the voltage drop numbers here many times.  Or there is no charge line.  It is easy to upsize the line or add one.

But, I always recommend propane on-the-road.

As for filling up at a gas station with the fridge on, it isn't something to worry about.  Gasoline has a narrow flammability range and any fumes that escape are quickly diluted, and as mentioned above it is heavier than air so it hugs the ground while the flame is 2 feet above the ground..  That said, all modern cars and trucks have built-in vapor recovery systems to prevent the fumes from escaping (the gas pump vapor recovery systems are being phased out because of this).  How many gas station explosions do you hear about on the news?
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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furpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 8:22pm
Originally posted by Enríquez

Dear R-Poders,

Just starting our second season on a 172. Before leaving town on an overnighter, I charged up the battery and left the cord plugged in for a few days. Fridge got nice and cold.

Then we took to the road, and when we got to our destination, battery was almost completely dead. Didn't even make it through the night.

Next day coming home, noticed that even with a two hour trip, the battery didn't charge up at all.

Did I forget to flip a switch or something? Is there something wrong?

Any advice more than welcome.

Enríquez, from Burque (Albuquerque)



How many times has the battery been left to go dead? Since you say you "charged up the battery", does it sit, hooked up to the pod, but pod not plugged in when not in use?

Do you know for sure your tow vehicle is sending a charge to the pod?
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Enríquez View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 7:59pm
Dear R-Poders,

Just starting our second season on a 172. Before leaving town on an overnighter, I charged up the battery and left the cord plugged in for a few days. Fridge got nice and cold.

Then we took to the road, and when we got to our destination, battery was almost completely dead. Didn't even make it through the night.

Next day coming home, noticed that even with a two hour trip, the battery didn't charge up at all.

Did I forget to flip a switch or something? Is there something wrong?

Any advice more than welcome.

Enríquez, from Burque (Albuquerque)
Enríquez
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sailor323 View Drop Down
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Posts: 281 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 4:41pm
Thanks for the clarification, Charlie
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