Voltage and status lights
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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=11484
Printed Date: 03 May 2024 at 5:56pm
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Topic: Voltage and status lights
Posted By: Blender Bob
Subject: Voltage and status lights
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2018 at 8:37pm
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After 10 days of being left alone/at rest, my 178 HRE with two DC24 marine batteries showed 3 lights of 4 lit on the interior status display. Checking the voltage with an ohm meter, I found 12.04v. I check that with depth of discharge tables and that shows ~ 45% left, 55% discharged. My battery charger showed a similar reading of being at 40% charge remaining. I tend to believe I am more than 50% discharged, yet the idiot status lights show a more positive reading. Does anyone know what voltage, or discharge rates are represented by the 4 lights in the HRE? ------------- Bob 2015 Chevy Colorado Z71 2018 178 R-pod Hood River Edition |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2018 at 9:17pm
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those lights, no matter which item they are checking, are hokum. They are feel good lights for people who really don't need them. If you are serious about your battery usage, and health, get and install a good monitor system.
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Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2018 at 10:26pm
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The only part of that 4 light thingy that is worth looking at is the one for the fresh water. And even it isn't all that reliable. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 8:14am
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I added an outlet that has a LED volt gauge, cig lighter plug and 2 USB ports, I needed the 12v and USB capabilities. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 8:18am
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Agreed! Those status lights are definitely useless. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 8:27am
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I put in the same thing as Mike a few weeks ago and it works great. It gives a pretty accurate reading on battery voltage. Amazon has them. Worked great for phone charging on our last trip. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 11:03am
Same here. I need to add a pushbutton so that the voltmeter isn't on all the time. ------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 11:48am
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back before you could buy a kit, I built and installed this for about $4.. https://postimg.cc/image/txzj01x3x/">  https://postimg.cc/image/io27rd2ot/">  ------------- |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 2:43pm
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Here's the one we got from Amazon. It has a switch to turn it off and on at the upper right. Under the little rubber flaps are the plug ins for usb and 12v. https://postimages.org/">
 ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 2:53pm
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 3:11pm
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Ben,
Pretty much an personal decision. Where do you want the outlet? Where do you have or can make access to 12 V? Each of the trailers can be different. I have a 178, I mounted it in the right side dinette seat as you enter trailer. That way I can use it and see it from the door. What ever you decide it will have to be connected to 12V and you have spare fuse locations. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 4:41pm
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Ben, being that I'm retired and adverse to working more than necessary, I installed it on the wall adjacent to the fridge. In the 172, the power panel is below the fridge, so I connected it on a new fuse circuit there and ran the wire through a hole I drilled in the floor of the refrigerator compartment and up along the outside wall. I sealed the hole with a little caulk. I cut a mounting hole in the single very thin layer of plywood that separates the refrigerator compartment from the interior of the trailer. Because the plywood rivals a thick plastic bag, I used screws with nuts and big washers to give it a little more strength. So far, so good. It works well, and it's easy to lay the phones on the upper edge of the dinette cushion while charging. The real test comes this weekend when I'll be plugging in a little inverter into the 12v plug to charge my macbook battery. I don't anticipate any problems, but, then, I sacrificed a chicken to the camping goddess just to be on the safe side. It was delicious, with a nice sherry wine sauce. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 4:54pm
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BB.. Voltage is one thing, but how you read it and when means a lot. I agree with what has been said, those on-board meters are crap. Look pretty, but really crap. Batteries need to rest before reading. Rule is 24hrs, but you can tell pretty quick what the condition is after 5-6hrs. Dropping fast, issue.. Especially if dropping into the 11's. Replacement time.. Reading your posts, I'd say (and only me) your better off with 12v batteries. You draw hard with that blender. !2's like that. I would suggest stepping up past those type 24's though. I am adding a meter that reads my amp/wattage draw (actually added just haven't decided on it's final home on the Rpod). No matter what the voltage says, I know what I have drawn. I know where it's at and what I 'need' to do. Several out there ranging from $20 to $250. The cheaper ones are not as accurate, but how accurate do we really need to be? We just want to know where we are on draw. Me, I've had LA's for years and find them to be an awesome battery if cared for. Match them to your usage, maintain them and they will last for years! Just traded in my 27's for my new dual 6's. The salesman said "I don't think I was alive when you bought these!" We laughed. I killed them over the last year because they were not in service. I had them running at 80% before I took them 'off line' with all those years. Ya I love LA's! You find a good deal on a couple 27's, do it. Again, just me speaking here.. You draw real hard, so I wouldn't suggest 6's.. They just don't like that crap and maintenance.. well, would happen more often. Back to reading, asking and poking my nose in when I think it may help. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 5:15pm
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I was a little less lazy than lostagain and installed our outlets on the wall of our 179 where the cable/antenna outlet is. The fuse panel is on the same side of the Pod and I had to feed the wires under the shower and behind the drawers. ------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: Hayduke
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 9:38am
Any chance you still have the link to this on amazon? I've been looking for something like this with a switch and voltmeter to replace the 12v receptacle I have installed. ------------- 2012 177 HRE 2017 Tacoma Double Cab |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 9:49am
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In the new camper.. https://postimg.cc/image/k5umo45h9/">  http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NBJYO9M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - A Linky.. ------------- |
Posted By: Hayduke
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 9:58am
Thank you sir! ------------- 2012 177 HRE 2017 Tacoma Double Cab |
Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 1:24pm
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I like this one! But just curious as to why it doesn't come with all the terminals wired up? To reduce cost? Ordered! ------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 3:03pm
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Here's the link Hayduke" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MTBXHEV/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |