keeping hooked up to shore power |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Topic: keeping hooked up to shore power Posted: 16 Oct 2015 at 3:28pm |
Oh yes, most converters back then were dumb single-stage chargers that WOULD kill your battery if left on. I had a '98 Coleman popup.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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lonestarforever
Newbie Joined: 14 Oct 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 10:34pm |
Thanks! That's gives me a lot more confidence in the newer style chargers. My last RV was a 98 model. I think back then 3 stage chargers were notorious for trickle charging your batteries to death.
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 10:09pm |
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lonestarforever
Newbie Joined: 14 Oct 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 9:11pm |
Great! Thank you for your reply. I was hoping the newer 3 stage chargers were smart enough to not cook the batteries.
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 8:45pm |
Welcome. Sounds like your converter wasn't working right, most modern converters have a proper 3-stage charger that won't overcharge.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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lonestarforever
Newbie Joined: 14 Oct 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 7:18pm |
I am new to the R-Pod forum and glad you guys have brought this up. My last RV, a 28' Dutchmen, had a three stage charger. If I left the shore power plugged in 24/7/365, the batteries would go dead every other year. Reason being is a three stage charger has a "float" or trickle charge that never really shuts off. Even topping off the water level, the batteries would eventually end up cooked. I ended up installing a 4 stage smart charger that actually shuts off when the batteries are charged. Folks on this forum seem to think it's ok to stay plugged in 24/7/365. Are the R-Pod 3 stage chargers smart enough to keep from cooking the batteries? I'm curious because I wired in 30 amp service to my house and would LOVE to just keep the R-Pod plugged in. Oh, it's a 2015 RP178. |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 13 Oct 2015 at 9:22pm |
Arrrr-arrrrr-arrrrr!
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Posted: 13 Oct 2015 at 3:08pm |
Thanks Doug. I kinda got distracted with with camping and stuff so didn't keep kill-a-watt plugged in more than a day or so. Bottom line is I don't think it should be a big (energy) concern keeping plugged in 24/7. Finally building a new garage so looking forward to 30A hookup. Just gotto figure how I'm gonna hang that 60 inch plasma TV in the manpod!
fred
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2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 13 Oct 2015 at 2:41pm |
Final update from my Kill-A-Watt. After 6 days it averaged just under 20 watts, or a little over 14 kw per month.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 07 Oct 2015 at 1:50pm |
I finally put my Salem on the Kill-A-Watt. After 25 hours it used .48 kw, so about 20 watts. Battery already charged and nothing on. Hopefully my suspension parts will all be in soon so I can fix the leaf spring and I'll check on the usage again then.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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