power draw?
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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=14763
Printed Date: 12 May 2024 at 3:47pm
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Topic: power draw?
Posted By: debndave
Subject: power draw?
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2021 at 12:16pm
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hi everyone - so, after getting home from the last trip i parked the pod and moved it out of the way (deliveries etc). I thought I had everything turned off but passing by this morning I heard the CO detector chirping away. I believe this is normal for when the power is low, but I'm mystified as to what might be the cause. It seems like everything was turned off when it got parked but sure enough, not only is the CO chirping but none of the interior lights are coming on, indicating the battery is low/spent. i'm plugging it back in, which gets the lights back on and stops the chirping, but now I'm wondering what's drawing power when everything appears to be shut down. Any ideas what I should be looking for/checking? david ------------- da ve |
Replies:
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2021 at 1:35pm
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There is a 100-200 or so milliamp load on the 12v circuit all the time. So after a couple of weeks even a fully charged battery will be discharged. To avoid that you either need to leave the battery on charge all the time (via the converter/charger or a small solar module/charge controller)
. Or you can disconnect the battery but after several weeks it will need to be recharged due to self-discharge. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2021 at 10:08am
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To add to that, even a fully disconnected battery will slowly drain. It will take more than 2 weeks, but it will still happen. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2021 at 2:01pm
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Also check to make sure the cable in you brake-away module on your a-frame isn't disconnected. If it is just plug it back in. ------------- 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: debndave
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2021 at 6:09pm
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Thanks everyone! ------------- da ve |
Posted By: Gualalapod
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2021 at 11:03am
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I always notice that my stereo has a blue light I can't turn off, even when on battery. I hate that thing at night but have put duct tape over it. Probably also drains the battery away. ------------- Gualalapod owner |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2021 at 11:22am
The light intensity can be turned down; at least it can be on our 2017 (AKA late 2016 RP179). ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2021 at 9:16pm
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I wanted to be able to completely turn off the power to the entertainment system. It is probably not much, but still a constant parasitic draw. Plus, I hated the light at night also. I installed a simple 12 volt automotive toggle switch on the incoming 12 volt power line to the unit. it is in a block that also carries a curtain rod to separate "the bedroom". You can install the switch easily. It is a simple on/off 12 volt automotive switch. turn off the battery power, unplug the trailer and turn off the breaker for the entertainment system.there are 4 screws that hold the entertainment unit in place-one at each corner. it takes a long screwdriver. when you pull the unit out gently, there are a lot of wires connected. I placed a 5' stepladder in front so the unit can sit on top of the ladder while working on the wiring. Nothing has to be unplugged. there is one red wire with a 12v tag on t that is the power wire. Simply cut this wire at least several inches before it enters the unit. then add red 6" wire pieces to each end of the newly severed power wire. solder with heat shrink tubing or use other types of connectors that you prefer.drill a hole in the upper face stile of the cabinet and install the switch. Hook one end of the new lengthened red wires to each terminal of the switch. Here is an example of the switch https://www.amazon.com/DaierTek-Toggle-Terminal-Automotive-Position/dp/B07T3K9NQ1/ref=sr_1_18_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=12+volt+toggle+switch&qid=1627265606&sr=8-18-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE2U1FCWklLMVpOQkUmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA1ODcxOTU2TzVKUUc2Q1I2R1kmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDYzMDkyMDE2UkJLRUhTN1I2NFomd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGZfbmV4dCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= Vann https://postimg.cc/HcSPqpqH">  ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2021 at 8:24am
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We have a battery disconnect switch near the battery. When "off" it disconnects everything in the trailer. The switch can be purchased and installed fairly easily if you don't have one. It saves the fully charged battery until the switch is turned on again. There are several threads on the battery life on this forum so use the 'topic search' box in the upper right and prepare to be over whelmed. :-) Have fun! ------------- Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE '07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages 1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2021 at 9:30am
| A flashlight, a turkey baster - type syringe and a gallon of distilled water -- a good place to start is to check the water level in your batteries. Summer heat evaporates water quickly. |
Posted By: debndave
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2021 at 10:52am
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"We have a battery disconnect switch near the battery. When "off" it disconnects everything in the trailer." i like it... simple... The pod is new to us but not new... I'm thinking it's not a bad idea to replace the battery after this season anyway and that might be the time to install that switch... ------------- da ve |
Posted By: debndave
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2021 at 10:59am
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"A flashlight, a turkey baster - type syringe and a gallon of distilled water -- a good place to start is to check the water level in your batteries." yup... sometimes it's embarrassing to have to be reminded of the simple and obvious, but that's me...  looks like it's ok and it charged up again fine, but I'm still thinking about replacing it after this season... ------------- da ve |