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Charging battery while at home?

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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13834
Printed Date: 14 May 2025 at 7:39pm
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Topic: Charging battery while at home?
Posted By: Poddy
Subject: Charging battery while at home?
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 2:08pm
Hi folks, I'm new to RV'ing and I'm wondering what others do with their battery while at home. Right now i'm plugged into the house and my next trip is not until next weekend. Is it necessary to have the Pod plugged in all the time or just a few days before an upcoming trip? Or maybe just a few hours every day?



Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 2:16pm
Plugged into the house is great for keeping the battery charged. Periodically check the electrolyte level if you have a flooded cell battery (not needed if sealed). If you want to disconnect it, there are two ways:
1. Remove the negative battery cable when not plugged in or in use.
2. Install a battery cut-off switch that you can turn off when not plugged in or in use.

Either one will help keep the battery from being discharged by the constant draw from things like the LP/CO detector.


-------------
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: 26 Jul 2020 at 2:26pm
+1. If you're plugged in at home just leave it like that and check the battery water level periodically. No need to disconnect until you want to go somewhere. That also gives you the option to keep a dehumidifier going inside if you live in a humid place and/or a small electric heater to keep things from getting really cold. 

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


Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 3:36pm
For a couple years I ran my Pod off a 120 outlet, then had a 30A RV box set up where I park Pod. I plug in like on a campground, Pod has become a man cave and guest house. Visitors love it. I set rules:)

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


Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 6:46pm
Except for the last few weeks while I've been trying out some solar alternatives, my Pod has been plugged in 24/7 since 2014. My WFCO bit the dust two years ago and I replaced it with:

https://www.progressivedyn.com/rv/power-converters/inteli-power-4600-series/ - https://www.progressivedyn.com/rv/power-converters/inteli-power-4600-series/

I run dual Duracell:

https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-golf-car-battery-group-size-egc2/prod3590220 - https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-golf-car-battery-group-size-egc2/prod3590220

I replaced batteries last year. They were on sale for like $100.00/battery. I figured 5 years for $200.00 was a good deal.

So I would say...keep it plugged in and let the charger do what it does.




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2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!


Posted By: Phil from Maine
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2020 at 1:33pm
On my 2011 R-Pod 172 there is substantial parasitic battery Drain.  I installed a battery cutoff switch on the battery case to prevent drain.  When possible I keep the pod plugged into shore power, but when not plugged in, I use the battery cutoff switch.




Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2020 at 3:40pm
I come from a belief the battery needs to be used. Just running  trickle charger is your choice. If you pay attention to your battery it will last fa beyond what is normally expected. I do (well did, now LiFePo4) allow the battery to draw, then charge it. Keeping that Draw low and the recharge low balances off the chemical reaction happening nd the plates pretty darn clean.. 

I say yes do charge at home, but understand the draw/charge cycle and how to balance it. 

I say this as MHO and not knowing your particular situation.. Batteries love attention and the more you give them, the longer they last.


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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: mcarter
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2020 at 4:32pm
+1 to Olddawgs. I have the same battery my Pod came with in 2015. The convertor stays live, I go in every few days and turn on the 12V stuff, watch the convertor go to 13.6, every month I check the water level. Might even shut the convertor down and let battery discharge randomly. I top it off with a battery mix of water and acid. Works for me so far.

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


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2020 at 7:12pm
Why a mix? Why not just distilled water to make up for that which was dissociated into H2 and O2? Yes, I know water  is H2O, but oxygen normally bonds with another oxygen atom when not bonded to anything else so 2 water molecules dissociate into 2 pair of H2 and  one O2. The sulfuric acid does not get consumed, so you are changing the balance if you add acid and water at each filling. You are also likely cutting the capacity of the battery if you add acid along with the water.


-------------
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: jato
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2020 at 8:45pm
Our flooded cell batteries are 12v Interstate group size 24, deep cycle marines.  Since we took ownership of our 177 back in March 2011 I simply take off the ground cable when not using, doesn't take very long to do.  Interesting mcarter to add acid with the distilled water, never heard of that.  Just adding distilled water (from our dehumidifier) for the past 9+ years has worked well for us.  And when we get to winter  (northern Michigan) both batteries are removed in November and set on the concrete floor in our unheated garage.  They each receive a 2 amp trickle charge for 24-36 hours and then 'hibernate' all winter until the following mid-late April where the process is repeated and then re-installed around May 1.  Batteries are kept clean by washing with baking soda 2x/year. Also key is keeping an eye on the water level.

-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."


Posted By: Phil from Maine
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 5:43am
Originally posted by jato

Our flooded cell batteries are 12v Interstate group size 24, deep cycle marines.  Since we took ownership of our 177 back in March 2011 I simply take off the ground cable when not using, doesn't take very long to do.  Interesting mcarter to add acid with the distilled water, never heard of that.  Just adding distilled water (from our dehumidifier) for the past 9+ years has worked well for us.  And when we get to winter  (northern Michigan) both batteries are removed in November and set on the concrete floor in our unheated garage.  They each receive a 2 amp trickle charge for 24-36 hours and then 'hibernate' all winter until the following mid-late April where the process is repeated and then re-installed around May 1.  Batteries are kept clean by washing with baking soda 2x/year. Also key is keeping an eye on the water level.


That is what I have always done with my motorcycle and boat batteries and I believe that that procedure is the industry recommended procedure.  I do however monitor the batteries as  the Winter progresses and have been taught by others never to leave batteries on unheated concrete.
EDIT: on ground slabs whether heated or not.




Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 6:09am
StephanH is right., Don't add sulphuric acid, unless the battery was tipped over. The H2SO4 in the battery is not depleted by gassing. Only water. Adding acid will raise the specific gravity in the battery over time, which increases plate corrosion and stress during cycling. There are no battery manufacturers I have ever worked with who recommend changing the electrolyte concentration after initial filling and charging. 

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


Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 9:16am
[QUOTE=Phil from Maine]

That is what I have always done with my motorcycle and boat batteries and I believe that that procedure is the industry recommended procedure.  I do however monitor the batteries as  the Winter progresses and have been taught by others never to leave batteries on unheated concrete.
EDIT: on ground slabs whether heated or not.

There was a time when battery cases were made out of a special wood however with the advent of plastic battery case construction drastically changed sometime in the 1940's I believe.  With wood cases, yes, you would not want to place on a concrete surface as it would discharge the battery.  However with plastic that is no longer the case - pardon the play on words here.  If it were a problem, my 9+ year old batteries would no longer be useful or work as well as they do.


-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 10:40am
+1 to Jato. Placing batteries on concrete is fine. 

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


Posted By: Phil from Maine
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 12:18pm
Originally posted by offgrid

+1 to Jato. Placing batteries on concrete is fine. 


I stand corrected. Doing my due diligence,  I read articles from respected sources that confirm Jato's post content.


Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 4:36pm
Thousand Gomens members, I never add acid to an old battery that has not been drained. Only distilled water and actually use the dehumidifier water like Jato.

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



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