Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Driveway camping questions

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Driveway camping questions

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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=14667
Printed Date: 20 Jun 2025 at 6:56pm
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Topic: Driveway camping questions

Posted By: Username
Subject: Driveway camping questions
Date Posted: 25 May 2021 at 8:31pm

Hi! We are back into R-podding after a couple years off and I totally forgot a few things that I'm hoping I might get a little help with.

Having some friends come and stay in our R-pod while it is parked next to the house and on shore power (house outlet). My question is that whenever it is plugged in, I hear the fan going in the inverter (brown box on the left side as you enter (183G). I do not remember this happening on our former 182G when it was plugged in at home. I'd like for my friends to be able to run the fridge, lights and water pump from the house power, but the fan constantly running is annoying and might keep them up. Does anyone know if this is normal for it to constantly run when plugged in? I have 2 6 volt batteries in sequence in case that matters. Thank you for any input. Glad to be back!

Replies:

Posted By: 1nana2many
Date Posted: 25 May 2021 at 8:37pm

My understanding is that the converter runs while charging the batteries when on shore power. It should shut off when batteries are topped off. I may be wrong, but that is my experience.

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The mountains are calling and we must go...O.D., Keith & Jody
2016 RP179= O.D. (Olive Drab)
2008 Coachman Captiva
1993 Jayco 1206 popup
2016 F150 Supercrew

Posted By: Username
Date Posted: 25 May 2021 at 8:40pm

Interesting, since I've had it plugged in all day and the fan is still humming along. Maybe they were really drained. I'll keep it plugged in overnight, but I'm guessing that if I was keeping the fridge on with the shore power then the inverter might just continue running?

Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 25 May 2021 at 8:50pm

It's a converter, not inverter. My old WFCO (2013) converter got old and cranky and loud with age. I replaced with https://www.progressivedyn.com - Progressive Dynamics Converter and all is good.

Could be crapped out batteries too.

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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: jato
Date Posted: 25 May 2021 at 9:03pm

Hopefully you have a voltmeter to check that pair of 6v. At rest and not on charge for at least 3 hours you should read a minimum of 12.72v or if you only read each 6v individually, at least 6.36v. Also do not draw down below 60% H.O.C. or 12.2 volts (6.1v for a 6v battery) for maximum longevity. Probably wouldn't hurt to see where you stand right now if the converter fan is still running. Unplug your 120 for a bit, fridge runs better on propane anyway and read the voltage.

True that the batteries may be toast. How long has it been since they were checked, electrolyte, keeping charged while not in use, things like that?

And yes, the converter fan will turn off when batteries are fully charged.

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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: fwunder
Date Posted: 25 May 2021 at 9:18pm

Jato was much more helpful. Sorry. Cheap wine. Never again!

F

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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: Username
Date Posted: 25 May 2021 at 9:19pm

I do have a voltmeter and I'll check them tomorrow. This R-pod is new to us, but it was purchased new in 2016 and I'm not sure if they are the original batteries or not. I know previous owner only used the camper 3-4 times and then garaged it. Could be that the batteries are at the end of their life. I'll find out and post it tomorrow. Thanks.

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 26 May 2021 at 6:28am

The converter can run the rpod on shore power with the batteries disconnected. If the batteries are suspect you can try disconnecting them and see if that works.

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

Posted By: Username
Date Posted: 26 May 2021 at 6:54pm

Ok, so I went out this morning after leaving Lily plugged in all night and the fan on the inverter had turned off, guessing because the batteries finally got a full charge. Hooked up the voltage meter and the batteries are where they need to be.

Thanks for suggestions I appreciate it. I'm sure I will be back later today or tomorrow with additional questions about other things as we put her through all the tests.