Mods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: New Batteries

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New Batteries

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: Non-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Mods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Same as podmods, just... not for pods
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10677
Printed Date: 02 May 2024 at 1:48pm
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Topic: New Batteries

Posted By: Mafghine
Subject: New Batteries
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 12:13pm

Looking to buy new Batteries for 2017 179 rpod. Which is best, gold cart batteries or deep cycle batteries?

I would like a big bank so would 4 6v golfcart batteries work well? I use a 45 watt solar panels to recharge when in the woods.

Replies:

Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 1:09pm

Space for 4 6v gc batteries would be hard to come by. I suggest using 2 gc batteries. Use the equivalent of Trojan 145s to get more storage. Same footprint (fit in same box) as Trojan 105s but 40 amphours more storage. Also, 45 watt panel will not go far in recharging so much storage when fully discharged. Also, solar panels are nearly worthless when in the shade

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 2:42pm

+1 for the dual 6V batteries. It is not just a matter of space, but of weight. You can get a lot of use out of dual 6V batteries. I agree also that a 45 watt panel is not adequate. That is only about 3.75 Amperes under the best circumstances. That is barely a trickle charge when you are considering batteries rated at 215 Ah or higher.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: Mafghine
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 2:53pm

Ty for the replies, This is way out of my area of expertise, so if you would, tell me which batteries and solar panels to get. I would love to mount flex panels on my roof, if you agree this is best way to go.

thanks in advance!

Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2017 at 7:37am

As I said earlier, consider using the equivalent of Trojan 145s. They provide 265 amp hours of storage. I would think that 100 watts of solar to be the minimum for most users. We have 280 watts mounted on the roof--very satisfied. You should understand that solar panels, regardless of wattage are virtually worthless in the shade. I got panels for the pod and the boat from

https://r.search.yahoo.com/cbclk2/dWU9MUVFOUVBODk0MDVENDIzQSZ1dD0xNTA1NzM3ODc0OTQzJnVvPTcxMDU1OTU4MTExNTI5Jmx0PTImZXM9TVVzcGlESUdQUy5vY3A3WSZqZT00MzI3ZWMxMC05YzZkLTExZTctYTYyNS1iN2Q5ZGE3ZWE1NWUtN2Y4MTNkYjM4NzAwJnVpPTY0LjEzMC4xODcuMjQ4Jmp0PTE1MDU3Mzc4NzUwMTQmcHA9bjE-/RV=2/RE=1505766675/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2f140146236.r.bat.bing.com%2f%3fld%3dd32POnEuEe_twDdyhwktD2xzVUCUw6u1Fb6Be0_rXKAmVRxXqd4N4cssHBUZCn4EW9E2Jm7TD_kKpiJRXTEE9CMHp79kfh_olmk8cYwGgcjS5sam0ib4TSFKSiJANQDPtfyKcEZR9uDXD5RwH_htbWX5H1Iwdcv-t-XlycgjEo9MTOmhFb%26u%3dhttp%253a%252f%252fd1094.ash.rd43.com%252fadserver%252frclick%253fc7p%253dalt%252be%252bsolar%2526lp%253d%2526v%253d1%2526cl%253d1094%2526l7t%253d1%2526ml%253d1918209%2526sl%253d%2526cat%253d5355944%2526mt%253d1%2526radid%253d11258193%2526inv%253d%2526adId%253d71055958111529%2526src%253ds%2526e%253d4%2526u%253dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.altestore.com%25252Fstore/RK=1/RS=oM2lqFmarPmBpaVgkprFPo5hv6U-;_ylt=A0LEVv6SvL9ZnRoAdAYPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTB2c2lzOGFwBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNvdi10b3A-?p=alte+solar - www.altestore.com

very helpful folks. I don't think they sell flex panels, though

Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2017 at 8:06am

I came across this the other day and thought it a good primer:

[TUBE]JmtUXpIKKE8[/TUBE]

I have been camping with these dual 6's for 3+ years now and have been very happy=> https:// www.samsclub.com/sams/duracell-golf-car-battery-group-size-egc2/prod3590220.ip - https://www.samsclub.com/sams/duracell-golf-car-battery-group-size-egc2/prod3590220.ip

sailor323, thank for the link. Panels are almost at my $1/watt purchase point. I want to start with 200 watt and see how it goes. I want to build my own portable system. I really like my Yamaha 2400, but I'm getting tired of lugging it around.

fred

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2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2017 at 8:08am

Now, if you want to do a little upgrade...

[TUBE]R9KHNdtGJrI[/TUBE]

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2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

Posted By: Mafghine
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2017 at 8:17am

ty guys.

Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2017 at 9:02pm

The guys are right about 6 volt GC battery size. They are taller than 12 volt, and about 10 pounds heavier each. Mine are 62 pounds, each.

I have 2 Trojan T-105 batteries in my toy hauler. They have been kept charged since May only with the 150 watt rooftop panel. The propane detector is on full time.

I just checked battery cell water levels and Ph tested, and everything is still tip top.

The solar converter is a Steca Solarix PRS 1515, 15 amp unit. Seems to keep it well charged without overcharging or overheating the batteries. The batteries are also inside of the nose of the cab, inside a vented battery box.

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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI

Posted By: Mafghine
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 6:54am

ty for all the help

Posted By: mloerzel
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 11:21am

Originally posted by StephenH

+1 for the dual 6V batteries. It is not just a matter of space, but of weight. You can get a lot of use out of dual 6V batteries. I agree also that a 45 watt panel is not adequate. That is only about 3.75 Amperes under the best circumstances. That is barely a trickle charge when you are considering batteries rated at 215 Ah or higher.

Actually, most Solar Panels are rated at about 18 volts... My setup is a Goal Zero 100 watt, 100 watts/18 volts = 5.56 Amps(In Direct Sunlight).

I have dual golf cart 6v batteries with 225 Amps total. With 80% usage(180 amps), it would take 32 hours of Direct Sunlight to charge the batteries... With my setup, will theoretically last about 7 -10 days between Battery & Solar.

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Life is Too Serious to be taken Seriously

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 11:52am

Originally posted by mloerzel

Actually, most Solar Panels are rated at about 18 volts... My setup is a Goal Zero 100 watt, 100 watts/18 volts = 5.56 Amps(In Direct Sunlight).

Almost all the panels I'm familiar with run in the 35-45 volt range.

However, with an MPPT controller, it almost doesn't matter. Stack up the number of watts you need, and adjust the output to the batteries/load as needed.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost