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Topic ClosedIs this OK on the battery and charging system?

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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Is this OK on the battery and charging system?
    Posted: 23 Mar 2017 at 8:11am
Originally posted by furpod

Unless it gets below -40F, there is NO danger to a properly charged battery from the cold. NONE.

If your pod is plugged in and charging the batteries, you will be fine to leave them in the pod, unless, again, it's going to be below -40F. Then I recommend a pad warmer.

I may or may not have been stationed in or near the arctic circle, with equipment, tracked and wheeled, that was mission critical, for a couple years.

We only see down to -5F or so in the worst of our winter here at home, but our Pod batteries tested 100% after 5 seasons. Plugged in at home always.

Minus 40F ? How 'bout -40C ? LOL  Tongue. I may or may not live in Florida and  have no problems with cold batteries...............
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2017 at 10:55am
Originally posted by furpod

Unless it gets below -40F, there is NO danger to a properly charged battery from the cold. NONE.

+1
According to Trojan, it would need to get below -62F or -52C with a battery charge of 85% for it to freeze. Trojan lists the freezing temperature for a fully charged battery as -92F or -68.9C. I was stationed in Germany. We did not have a problem with the batteries for the vehicles in the motor pool freezing although they would get cold enough that they were not able to crank the Diesel engines. We had to run them to keep them charged enough so that they would be able to start if we had to roll out on short notice.

We did have a voltage regulator in our M577A2 Command Tracked Vehicle go bad. It was boiling our batteries. We had to stop and get out away from the fumes. Then we spent a very cold overnight until the motor pool could get a mechanic out to fix it.
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jato View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2017 at 7:40pm
Back in 1978 my wife and I took a Lake Superior circle loop.  In January of that year we stopped at Thunder Bay, Ontario where the temp dipped to -43 C.  I think we were the only ones at the motel who didn't plug our car in - we had a 1976 AMC Gremlin, no plug available.  Anyway we managed to start the car, although it shook quite a bit, the worst part were the tires, we had Goodyear Polyglas and it took about 20 minutes of driving before we didn't feel like Fred Flintstone driving down the road.  Was surprised the tires didn't come apart.
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rawest50 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 6:21pm
I am not a good electrical system person but I think my 2017.5 trickle charges. Anybody know for sure?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 7:39pm
Originally posted by rawest50

I am not a good electrical system person but I think my 2017.5 trickle charges. Anybody know for sure?


All pods have a fair decent 3-stage charger from the factory. That's why we say, if you can plug in at home or storage that is the best option.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 7:53pm
Mark, did the older ones like what you had, come with that charger as well?  This I wasn't aware of.  Also do they trickle charge or what amp do they charge at when plugged into shore power?  Thanks in advance.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 11:24pm
Originally posted by jato

Mark, did the older ones like what you had, come with that charger as well?  This I wasn't aware of.  Also do they trickle charge or what amp do they charge at when plugged into shore power?  Thanks in advance.


All Pods ever built came with a 3 way charger. (WFCO 8955) Even the 15x series. I have only piddled with a couple of those, but they had the same, so I feel safe in saying that..

The WF-8900 Series has revolutionized RV power centers with its lighter weight, decorative doors and superior features. The WF-8955 model provides 55 Amps and a clean, constant 13.6 VDC nominal output, for reliable operation of electronics and appliances. Automatic three-stage charging extends the life of your battery with output voltage modes of 13.2 VDC range “float” mode, 13.6 VDC range “absorption” mode, and a 14.4 VDC range “bulk” charge mode. The 8900 Series also maintains peace and quiet, as the cooling fan runs only when needed.
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podrunner View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Mar 2017 at 10:30am
Concerning trickle chargers, try the battery minder.  It has a pulse cycle which claims to help prevent sulfation as well as remove it.

The Amazon description mentions it is not for deep cycle batteries, if you visit the manufacturers website they indicate it is fine for deep cycle.

BatteryMINDer model 12117.  $24 on amazon
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Mar 2017 at 12:05pm
One of several methods is fine.  All of these have been discussed at some point, I'm just confirming.

1. Leaving it plugged in at home.  Good 3 stage charger, low amperage draw so it won't affect your electric bill.

2. Trickle charger at home.  Only advantage is if you use this while the battery is removed from the pod, otherwise just use the built-in charger.

3. Disconnect the battery from the pod and leave it on the tongue.  Reconnect it and plug the pod in overnight every 30 days in warm weather and 60-90 days over a cold winter (if you live where 40 F is the coldest it gets a few times a year, stick with 30 days).  Cold extends the life of the battery so it is best to leave it on the tongue and let it cold-soak.  Inversely heat shortens the life so you'll get some benefit bringing it inside in the heat of the summer (I don't).



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