Battery question

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   Facing my first winter as a pod owner and and have a question about the battery. Currently we keep the pod plugged in to our garage outlet via extension cord. Is this ok to do over the winter, or are we better off completely disconnecting the battery? We do not have a battery cut-off switch so it would be a full disconnect. 
Any pro or con to just leaving it plugged in?

Thanks for the help!

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Username Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2016 Location: WASHINGTON Online Status: Offline Posts: 16	Topic: Battery question Posted: 21 Nov 2016 at 11:56pm
	Facing my first winter as a pod owner and and have a question about the battery. Currently we keep the pod plugged in to our garage outlet via extension cord. Is this ok to do over the winter, or are we better off completely disconnecting the battery? We do not have a battery cut-off switch so it would be a full disconnect. Any pro or con to just leaving it plugged in? Thanks for the help!

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 22 Nov 2016 at 12:02am
	No problem at all. That way the battery is always fully charged and ready. The converter in the Pod is a good 3 stage charger and will take good care of the battery. However, you should check the water level every several months and top off with distilled water if necessary. You should also check that the circuit feeding the camper is alive and the cord is good every few months. If the house circuit is by itself and/or you have some rodent visits the charger may get interrupted. The battery will discharge in a few weeks if left unplugged due to the constant propane detector load and the battery will be damaged if left discharged and unattended. Nothing wrong with fully disconnecting the battery either, but you still have to maintain the charge over the winter by reconnecting and plugging in periodically or connecting an external charger periodically. Much easier to just leave the camper plugged in.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 22 Nov 2016 at 7:56am
	+1 I have done it both ways. However, I see an advantage in leaving the battery(s) installed. I view it as an emergency/backup residence, should a bad ice storm, power loss, etc. make my home difficult to inhabit. With the batteries in place, I just need to turn on the propane to have a nice, warm refuge.

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Posted: 22 Nov 2016 at 8:05am
	+1 for both replies. When we are home, my R-Pod stays plugged in. I also consider it my emergency shelter or as a guest house if we were to have visitors since we don't have a guest room currently.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4508	Posted: 22 Nov 2016 at 8:16am
	Ditto!!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 22 Nov 2016 at 8:47am
	Pilling on.. If you can keep your pod plugged in, that is always the best way to maintain them. The pod has a fair decent 3 stage charger/maintainer.

john in idaho Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 611	Posted: 22 Nov 2016 at 10:30am
	The grandkids like to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the pod. A bag of fresh popped popcorn in the microwave is good for at least an hour.

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 22 Nov 2016 at 5:18pm
	I use my 178 as a man cave in no camp season. I plug into a 30 amp service at my building, have fresh water tank full, small space heater(s) on and if working on a project use it to warm up when necessary, otherwise drinks in fridge, popcorn in micro, football on TV, HAPPY. Also a very convenient guest room for those quick visits from family.

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3223	Posted: 22 Nov 2016 at 9:14pm
	Here I am, the odd man out. We hibernate our 177 in our vacant horse barn on the back 20 (acres). Hence I bring in my 2 group size 24 12 volt batteries and bring them in the garage for the winter. I trickle charge them for 1 day in November and then again for 1 day in April. The trickle charger gives a 2 amp charge. Batteries are over 5 1/2 years old, when boondocking I take them to 33% soc before changing to the other battery. Both batteries still in good condition.
	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."

britboy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21 Aug 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Posted: 06 Dec 2016 at 10:28pm
	I take the batteries off over winter and store them in my workshop. They get charged every 4 weeks to ensure sg reading stays good at 1300, I can also keep a close eye on the electrolyte level in each cell and top up if necessary. The winter temperatures in my location can range from 5 to 20F so I don't want to risk anything happening to the batteries.