R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Any thoughts on battery isolator
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedAny thoughts on battery isolator
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Trinityfly View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 29 Sep 2014
Location: Northern Calif
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Any thoughts on battery isolator
    Posted: 29 Oct 2014 at 1:52pm
This has been cross posted with the FR Users Group

We have recently purchased a 2015 RPod 179. Have had other RVs that had a battery isolator installed between the tow vehicle and the coach.  As far as I know there is none on either my truck or the RPod. All the trailer manuals recommend using the 12 volt system to operate the refrigerator while traveling. If we have to stop for any length of time do we need to unplug the Rpod from the tow vehicle. If not does the coach battery draw off the auto battery? Any thoughts?
Joe and Diane, pups Jenny and Tyke. RPod named Lilly.
Alive and well deep in the toolies of Norther Calif
Back to Top
CharlieM View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Oct 2014 at 4:28pm
Most relatively new trucks and SUVs have battery isolation built in. Assuming your truck has the standard 7-way round RV connector you can test this function with a voltmeter. Here's the wiring of the plug:


With the trailer disconnected and the engine running you should see around 13V between pin 4 and the truck frame. This should go to zero volts when you shut the engine off. If this checks out the truck will charge the camper battery while running, but the camper will not discharge the truck battery when the engine is off. There is no isolator in the trailer.

BTW, most folks prefer to run the fridge on propane while traveling. Contrary to old info, there is no safety issue. New gas bottles have limiting valves to prevent fire in case of accident. Using propane helps to maintain the trailer battery charge and the smaller fridges perform better on gas. 

Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Oct 2014 at 7:28pm
Newer GM vehicles don't kill the Bargeman when the vehicle is off.

If you are using 12 volt mode on the fridge and will be stopped more than 60 minutes I would flip the fridge to LP mode.  That said, I'm with Charlie and preferred LP mode most of the time anyway.  Larger camper fridges only have LP mode when on the road, no 12 volt mode. 
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
CharlieM View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Oct 2014 at 8:10pm
Originally posted by techntrek



Newer GM vehicles don't kill the Bargeman when the vehicle is off.



Are you sure about this, Doug? Is this yet another step backwards? What can be the thinking here?
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Oct 2014 at 8:19am
Learned it the hard way with my 2010 Suburban during a dry camp.  Since I had my genset I got a quick charge and was on the road within 15 minutes, but I'm more cautious now.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz