battery & solar panel??
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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11692
Printed Date: 10 May 2025 at 1:18pm
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Topic: battery & solar panel??
Posted By: K8i
Subject: battery & solar panel??
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2018 at 8:18am
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I have an Rpod 179, and I want to purchase a new pair of batteries and a solar panel. Does anyone have any preferences or if you have done this what did you go with? Thank you in advance. |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2018 at 8:31am
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We use a renogy 100 watt solar panel to keep our battery charged. Works well so far. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2018 at 1:11pm
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We also use the renogy 100 watt suitcase pannel and love it. We use 2 six volt golf cart batteries from Sam’s Club and would recommend them. As I recall, they are about 210-220 amp hours each and cost about $115 each. We have used the warranty replacement and there was no question asked when one failed. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: K8i
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2018 at 8:09pm
| Thank you! If you have any advice on what you feel has been some important or useful purchase/s for your Rpod i'd appreciate it as well? Any space savers etc? |
Posted By: K8i
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2018 at 8:29pm
Did you need to buy anything extra hookup wise for the solar panel, or it is compatible with the solar panel port the rpod has? Also, what was the brand of batteries? thanks in advance
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Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2018 at 8:20am
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The brand changes at Sam's. . We have Duracell and it has been very reliable. We did not use the "prewired" port, but did our own system. We used a 30 amp rv extension cord to connect the solar panel to a 30 amp receptacle on the outside of the pod. We used 8 gauge wire from the receptacle to the controller and also 8 gauge wiring from the controller to the batteries. here is the original post when I did the work- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8194&KW=solar&PID=77377&title=installing-a-renogy-100-watt-suitcase-solar-panel#77377 this was done on our 173. since then, we have sold that pod and purchased a 179. I totally redid the installation, but used the same concept and the same materials. Hope this helps Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9">
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Posted By: cosmo751
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2018 at 11:15am
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I found that the prewired port was opposite polarity from the plug supplied with my Renogy suitcase. Use your voltmeter to determine for sure and reverse the connection as need. Easy peasy.. ------------- "He not busy being born is busy dying." |
Posted By: Andy
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2018 at 5:34pm
| I purchased the GoPower 80watt suitcase and it works every well. It also comes with several attachment options so that you can plug directly into the zamp receiver or you can attach with alligator clips on the posts or you can install to the battery and run the Anderson clip outside the battery box for quick access. I've actually used several options during the same day due to weather conditions and sun location. |
Posted By: rumman
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2018 at 6:20pm
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160 Watt solar panel installed on the roof, solar controller, into two 6 volt GC Batteries. Works great have not run out of power in the last four years, usually out boondocking for at least a 5 to 7 day period during the summer on many occasions. Best money I ever spent. ------------- 2014 RPod 179 towed by 2016 Chev Colorado (V6). |
Posted By: Mirado
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2018 at 9:14am
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rumman - what means did you use for roof mounting of the panel? ------------- Miriam and Doug 2015 Rpod 181G Silverado 1500 |