Deep Charge to Batteries
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10595
Printed Date: 19 May 2024 at 10:20am
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Topic: Deep Charge to Batteries
Posted By: mario
Subject: Deep Charge to Batteries
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2017 at 6:53pm
| Hello. I'm new to RVing and am wondering if the batteries in my r-pod will take a full charge either by plugging the r-pod into my house 120v or by charging the batteries as I'm driving down the road. If neither of these ways work to get a full, deep charge, do I need to buy a trickle charger specific to these deep cell batteries? Thanks ahead of time for your help. |
Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2017 at 7:02pm
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Plugging into 120v certainly works. Pods have a great 3-stage charger built in. If you can leave you battery in the pod and hook up the pod to shore power, you're set. Plugging in to your TV while driving varies depening your vehicle and wiring. Some vehicles will charge the pod, others not so much. You'll have to give it a try. In terms of topping off the battery while driving, it's best not to have the fridge on 12v. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2017 at 8:15pm
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+! to TT post. I do use a 2 amp trickle charger for my 12v deep cycle batteries for the off season. For me in northern MI it is after my last camping episode in mid-late October thru the end of April. So in early Nov. I will throw the trickle charge on each battery(removed from the pod) sitting on the cement floor of our unheated garage. The following year, in late March/early April I will repeat the process and leave plugged in until fully charged, it may take up to 36 hours for this process. Batteries are going on year 7 and still work fine. Will put them to the test once again as we leave for RMNP for 2 weeks and will be using batteries full time.
------------- 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." |
Posted By: mario
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2017 at 9:04pm
| So the 2 amp trickle charger works in concert with the 3 stage charger built in to the pod? Shouldn't one be able to not have to use a trickle charger and plug directly into 120v? In other words, isn't the 3 stage charger designed to charge fast at first and then eventually trickle charge as the batteries become more fully charged? |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2017 at 11:24pm
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Yes. You have it right. No need for a separate charger unless you take your battery out for the winter and want to top it off in your basement once a month. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: eye95
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2017 at 7:09am
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YMMV, but my fridge is on battery while traveling. Batteries always on full charge on arrival. ------------- <0> 2017 178 The "eye-Pod" 2011 Nissan Titan |
Posted By: mario
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2017 at 9:12am
Thanks all. 
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Posted By: ModMontana
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2017 at 12:07pm
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Read a post claiming it was better to travel with fridge on propane otherwise will drain the batteries. Any thoughts from experienced campers? ------------- ModMontana 2017 R-178; '11 Ford F-150 FX4 And 2 yellow golden labs |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2017 at 1:34pm
If your TV has enough charging capability, and will support charging a trailer, that can work very well. OTOH, if the charging system on your TV is a little marginal, you may have a better experience using propane. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: bob-Pod
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2017 at 3:20pm
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And of course when you forget to take it off battery and are dry camping you end up wih no battery in a very short time. Not that I ever did that. We tow with the frig on propane and have had no problems. When we were new with our first Rpod, we towed using battery and the wife's van wasn't keeping up with the drain. ------------- 2015 RPOD 178 HRE (2015- ) 2010 RPOD 171 (2009-2015) 2010 Toyota Tacoma Quad Cab |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2017 at 4:51pm
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Like a never ending discussion. I have done both, traveled on battery and on propane, I'll continue to do so. I ensure my TV can do it and I know the propane option exists. End of the day do what you feel comfortable with, if it's not working change it. I don't forget I am on battery or propane. When I arrive I set up for success. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2017 at 9:17pm
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We tow with the frig on propane too with absolutely no problems. If my tow vehicle did have dual batteries I would most like run the frig on DC from the vehicle batteries. There is always the chance when running your frig on the tow vehicle that has just one battery of coming back to a warm frig and dead TV battery. All you have to do is stop the TV engine for any length of time for what ever reason and maybe vehicle battery is marginal then chances are good you just may come back to a warm frig from a dead battery in tow vehicle. ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2017 at 11:10am
As per usual, YMMV. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2017 at 2:29pm
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I use battery option when towing. I switch to propane before i unhitch. after a weekend boon docking My battery was very low, and i was getting ready to go home, so i hooked up, and put fridge on battery. I wasnt sure if it would run due to the battery already being low. But it worked fine. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |