Power from TV to POD
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
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=11493
Printed Date: 17 May 2024 at 3:17pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Power from TV to POD
Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Subject: Power from TV to POD
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 8:17am
|
Can someone please tell me how I can check that I have power going from my truck to the POD. I am guessing that if I have power at my trucks 7 pin connector that power is going to the POD to charge the batteries when I am driving. Is this assumption correct? My other guess is that if there is power to the trailer lights there is also power to charge the trailer battery. Any help/advise would be greatly appreciated. ------------- MDPaddlersPod 2017 RPod 179 2002 Silverado1500 |
Replies:
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 8:25am
|
Not necessarily. There are separate wires for power, lights, brakes, and so on. The lights are easy to check. For the brakes you should do a standard trailer brake check. What I do is just squeeze the trailer brake controller without touching the TV brakes, and barely moving. If you're on level ground the trailer brakes should be sufficient to stop both the TV and the TT. For the power, it is probably easiest to use a DVM to check the voltage on the trailer battery/ies when you connect the 7-pin. With the TV running, you should see a step up in the battery voltage. Certainly over 13 volts; maybe a bit higher depending on the battery state of charge. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 8:38am
|
On some tow vehicles, one needs to enable power to the connector. You could check by using a voltmeter on the TV's connector. The 1:00 terminal is the 12V power connector and the 7:00 terminal is the ground. If you have voltage there, it should charge. See the http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx - Trailer Wiring Diagrams on etrailer.com for pictures. ------------- 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: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 8:45am
|
Our F-150 is tricky. It senses the presence of the trailer, and won't power the 12V connector unless/until the trailer is there and the truck is running. So I can't check the 12V with the trailer disconnected.
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 9:08am
|
You can check the voltage of the battery with the truck not connected should read around 12 volts ,then connect and start the truck your battery should read around 13-14 volts. My ford 2011 f150 had a relay in the glove compartment I had to install in the fuse box under the hood Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 9:22am
|
GlueGuy, many thanks, I get it. Like checking the alternator output for a car at the battery. That makes sense to me, again thanks. ------------- MDPaddlersPod 2017 RPod 179 2002 Silverado1500 |
Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 9:23am
|
Thanks, guys, I get it now. ------------- MDPaddlersPod 2017 RPod 179 2002 Silverado1500 |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 11:10am
|
Some brake controllers have a continuity mode that sends a small current to the brakes continuously -- obviously not enough to engage them -- and an indicator light, so I use that to make sure the brakes (and the plug in general) are connected. ------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 11:53am
|
Wow, thanks for all the responses guys, I really appreciate it. ------------- MDPaddlersPod 2017 RPod 179 2002 Silverado1500 |
Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 1:07pm
|
To echo Stephen about enabling power, my '11 Silverado came from the factory without the brake controller and power wire connected. The wires were installed but were tucked away under the fuse box under the hood. There's even a lug on the fuse/relay box to connect them. Easy to do, just had to buy the fuses, if I recall. ------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 3:48pm
|
Craneman did pretty much what I did to check. Hookup the Multi Meter and read 12+ volts and hook up to the truck (running) and check again. Jumped right up as I hoped and showed power to the batteries. ------------- 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 |