I need HELP!!!: Battery/convertor

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Battery/convertor

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13741
Printed Date: 14 May 2025 at 4:19pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Battery/convertor

Posted By: Vector1952
Subject: Battery/convertor
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 4:10pm

Am having an issue with power on DC side of trailer
Batteries are topped off (12.6) When I use the pump the lights blink.
Feels like the batteries are very weak...Fusses look good...Could this be a converter issue? Has anyone had this problem? When charging the 4 red lights showing full are on after a 4 hour charge only 2 lights are on.
Any help would be appreciated

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Xxxx7

Replies:

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 4:43pm

If you are on shore power. And the battery is working with converter in a somewhat discharged state, a normal battery reading is 13.6 volts. As battery charges and converter stabilizes I would expect to see 13.1 volts and held there. 12.6 is like no converter action and a battery reading in use. How are you hooked up to power?

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

Posted By: Vector1952
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 4:58pm

Hi, we are boondocking, no hookups...there was a strain on slide and electric jack

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Xxxx7

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 5:17pm

Hey Vector, you are not using the converter. The battery is on its own. If you don't have solar or another means to charge batts, it will use its resource.

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

Posted By: Vector1952
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 5:18pm

Hi Mike let me add that I bought my 179 in 2016, the same batt are on board...I'm thinking now that it may just be batteries, time for new one's

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Xxxx7

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 5:25pm

They do go bad. I have a 2015 with original batt. Not a big boondocker. Easy to test battery. No shore power eliminate converter.

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

Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 5:27pm

Check to see that your acid level is full. Top off with distilled water. Expect 12 to 24 hours for a full change. How old is your battery?

See section II in this link.

https://www.trojanbattery.com/tech-support/battery-maintenance/

12.6V is no more than 90% State Of Charge (SOC), *IF* the battery has been sitting unused for 6 to 24 hours.

Bulk charging voltage should be 14.6V until the current drops to 1% of 20-hr rated capacity.

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John
'16 R-Pod 180

Posted By: Vector1952
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 5:32pm

Hi I want to thank everyone...everything checked water levels, etc..I believe I will buy batteries...

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Xxxx7

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 5:35pm

If you are going to be a serious boondocker you need to look at recharging methods. You can look at solar and TV methods on the cheap. Run your TV and hook up your 7 way. Let the tow charge the batt.

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

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 6:12pm

Some tow vehicles do not charge well through the 7-way. In that case, you may wish to use a set of jumper cables to connect directly to the battery from the TV's battery to charge. That will be faster. Even a small generator like the https://www.harborfreight.com/900-Watt-Max-Starting-2-Cycle-Gas-Powered-Generator-EPACARB-63025.html - Harbor Freight TailGator will work better for charging the battery although it would not be sufficient to run the air conditioner. If solar isn't a good option for your location, and if using the TV as a generator for charging isn't desired, then a generator is your only option. Some places only allow them for limited times such as a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours in the evening. The TailGator is fairly quiet for a non-inverter generator from what I recall when I heard one running. Otherwise, look for an inverter generator such as the ones from Honda, Yamaha, Champion, or like the Firman generator I just recently purchased from Costco which is dual-fuel (gasoline or propane) capable.

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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: offgrid
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 6:56pm

When you buy new batteries get two 6V golf cart batteries and connect them in series. GC2 size. If you do a lot of of boondocking this will provide you with the most capacity short of going to Lithium batteries. Beware of your tongue weight however.

I agree with the other suggestions regarding keeping you batteries charged. Get a small generator and also solar if you camp in sunny places. Several considerations on the generator: do you want to use it for running the air conditioner or not? Do you want it to run on propane or gasoline? Do a search on the forum for the pros and cons.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 8:10pm

I posted a review of the Firman Dual-Fuel generator I recently purchased. Here is the link for the review:

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13727&PID=133159&title=review-firman-dual-fuel-inverter-generator#133159 - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13727&PID=133159&title=review-firman-dual-fuel-inverter-generator#133159

Also, in my mods, you will see my write up of my LiFePO4 installation and all that was needed to make that work. One other option for charging your battery is to put in a battery isolator in your tow vehicle, run a dedicated power circuit, and get a DC to DC charger. I installed a 20A Renogy unit for the LiFePO4 battery, but it can be configured for use with PB-Acid batteries also.

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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: Vector1952
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2020 at 2:16pm

Hi, problem is solved 2 new batteries...I do have 260w of solar panels but no good here, no sun too many trees..My generator is a 3100w champion. I've only been on shore power 4 times in 4 years so I guess that makes me a boondocker
Thanks to all for their inputs..
Dick B

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Xxxx7

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2020 at 2:37pm

My suggestion if you're not already doing it is to run the generator every day, maybe even morning and evening if you are using lots of electricity. Don't wait until you have deeply discharged your batteries. Deep discharge is bad for lead acid batteries, much better for them never to get below 50% state of charge.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold