Introduce Yourself: Solar Panel help

Solar Panel help

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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12091
Printed Date: 19 May 2025 at 3:40am
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Topic: Solar Panel help

Posted By: Sheila
Subject: Solar Panel help
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2018 at 9:01pm

Got a 100 watt solar panel hooked up and running on my R178. Full charge of battery on first day.

But none of the plug-ins work. Lights, bathroom fan and the hitch motor work but nothing that you plug in. Since I need this for daughters CPAP machine it is a problem.

Any advice out there???

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Sheila

Replies:

Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2018 at 9:48pm

Just asking: are you connected to shore power? I am interpreting Plug In as AC plug in like in a house. The items you referred to (lights, bathroom fan, hitch motor) are DC and run from the battery.

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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2018 at 1:56am

Check the GCFI, the outlet near the bed.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: Ghosthawk
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2018 at 7:07am

Sheila R-pods have 2 seperate systems. 12 v for traveling and boondocking.

110v Shore power at campgrounds that have that available.

Charging your 12 v battery is not going to make the plug ins work.

Need to connect the big black cord to the side of the pod and plug it into 30/50 amp shore power.

Totally seperate systems. They are both electric, but different flavors for doing different things.

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2018 at 7:08am

None of the 120v stuff works on battery. You have two choices. The more desirable is to run the CPAP on 12v. You also can install a small inverter to provide 120v to the CPAP.

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Posted By: Sheila
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2018 at 8:59am

No, I am not connect to shore right now. I thought the solar would power everything.

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Sheila

Posted By: Sheila
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2018 at 9:02am

OK thanks. I should have explored this before buying the solar. I have no electrical

knowledge. Solar not going to do what I had hope it would do.

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Sheila

Posted By: Sheila
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2018 at 9:05am

ok thanks.

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Sheila

Posted By: Sheila
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2018 at 9:07am

I had the cord plugged in at campground and all was well. We had an opportunity to go to a place with no plug in and I had thought the Solar would take care of all. My mistake for not exploring more before investing. Thanks for info.

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Sheila

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2018 at 9:11am

I also use a CPAP machine. Mine is a Respironics System One. It comes with a power block for 110V power, but actually runs on 12V. For that, I looked on Amazon and found a 12V cord for the CPAP machine. I then installed 12V power outlets in my RP179. The first one was in the panel below the bed on the same side as the furnace and water heater. I tapped into the furnace's power for that outlet. When I turned our sleeping arrangements around so that our heads were toward the door side (to better block sound from the AC unit and furnace), I installed a second outlet next to the outlet for the television, tapping into the line that powers the stereo and antenna. I also installed USB charging outlets.

I run my CPAP machine with the heater for the water tank turned off, but with water in the tank for passive humidification. That keeps the power draw lower yet still gives me some humidification. I had previously installed a shelf above the bed and my CPAP machine sits there. Depending on where your daughter sleeps, your location for a shelf and power outlet may differ. Please check my mods (see link in signature) for pictures.

If your daughter's CPAP machine will work on 12V, then look for a power cord. If it requires 24V, then I think there are 12V to 24V converters. Still though, you will need to install 12V outlets to make this work. Even if you were to use an inverter to supply 110V power, you would need to install a 12V outlet for that to work. A small 150 Watt inverter would likely be more than sufficient although it would not be as efficient as running on 12V (if machine supports it).

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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: CharlieM
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2018 at 1:53pm

Shiela,

Your solar system is not wasted money. It will do exactly as you wanted. You are only missing one part: a 12V cord or a small inverter. See StephenH's post. There are also many other posts on this forum dealing with CPAPs. When off the grid your solar panel will do very well for you.

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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD