Charging battery while connected to tow vehicle |
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Patriot
Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 2016 Location: PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 18 |
Topic: Charging battery while connected to tow vehicle Posted: 29 Jun 2016 at 10:35pm |
While enroute to our destinations, we have been switching the fridge over to DC. Our last trip was over 5 hours and when we arrived, the battery was dead. I assumed that the battery was charged by the tow vehicle and clearly it is not (at least in my case). There seems to be mixed info when Googled... Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
What is everyone else's experience with this, and does anyone run off propane while driving long distances? Thanks :) |
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2016 r-pod 180
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WillThrill
Senior Member Joined: 04 Jul 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 298 |
Posted: 29 Jun 2016 at 11:10pm |
Unless we're connected to shore power, we always run our refrigerator on propane. Many, many folks here do the same. With the safety equipment in place, this is not at all a dangerous practice. I've never even heard of a rumor of anyone having a problem with running propane while driving.
Most tow vehicles do not have sufficient gauge wiring to provide as much power to the Pod's battery as the refrigerator draws, and the difference drains the battery. So yes, your TV is probably charging your battery but just not enough to compensate for the refrigerator.
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"Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien
2014 Hood River 177 2005 GMC Envoy XL |
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Patriot
Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 2016 Location: PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 18 |
Posted: 30 Jun 2016 at 6:09am |
Good to know. Thx for the info
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2016 r-pod 180
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Guests
Guest Group |
Posted: 30 Jun 2016 at 6:19am |
+1. |
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ToolmanJohn
Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451 |
Posted: 30 Jun 2016 at 6:23am |
I've been using propane 100% while traveling for a couple years now. Many refrigerators are 2 way, either propane OR 120VAC only in many campers. So it would be impossible for those people to run 12VDC while traveling, so it makes sense that our 3 way fridges are fine to also run in propane mode while traveling.
I know on ferries, you are usually required to shut of the propane tanks while crossing. Then either 12VDC or leave the fridge door shut for the crossing.
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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 30 Jun 2016 at 8:18am |
What is your tow vehicle? We run on 12v always when towing, no issue. Did 11 hours a week ago, ice cream was still frozen and fridge still 35F when I got home. As always. It depends on the tow vehicle. Many are capable, but not properly prepared from the factory, as they need a relay or fuse installed.
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4508 |
Posted: 30 Jun 2016 at 8:40am |
We travel with our fridge on battery all the time. The one key I notice is that hotter it is outside the faster the battery will drain. We travel from Vermont to Cape Hatteras in the fall and the battery stays nearly at full charge (16 hr drive done in 2 days) but when we went to Miami and the Keys, in hot humid weather, it couldnt keep up and would drain right down in 3-4 hours.
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
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Patriot
Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 2016 Location: PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 18 |
Posted: 30 Jun 2016 at 12:18pm |
My tow vehicle is a volvo xc60. Hitch and wiring were installed at the dealer. This kind of confirms what I got from Google that it works for some vehicles and not others. I'm happy running on propane going forward while driving as long as that's safe. I will check with the dealer to see if there is some way to get it to work with my setup.
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2016 r-pod 180
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 30 Jun 2016 at 1:11pm |
If by dealer you mean the Volvo dealer, he can check/confirm your TV is equipped to charge the TT battery when the engine is running. Even if it is the best that can happen is it will maintain the charge with the fridge on 12V and that may take adding a heavier wire to the Volvo. Running the fridge on propane is by far the best solution.
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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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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 30 Jun 2016 at 3:06pm |
Yup, it probably only has 12 gauge wiring to the Bargeman, that is the usual setup both for factory and aftermarket installations.
It needs at least 10 gauge, preferably 8 gauge. |
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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