Shore Power & Batteries
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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=15338
Printed Date: 08 Jun 2025 at 2:23am
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Topic: Shore Power & Batteries
Posted By: jasonslyric805
Subject: Shore Power & Batteries
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2022 at 2:20pm
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Hi! 2015 Rpod 179. We have 2 deep cycle batteries with a 1/2/off switch. Went camping this weekend, and plugged into shore power. 2nd night, fridge starts beeping no power. Realized that for some reason, shore power hadnt been working, and batteries drew down dead. Reset breakers, unplugged and replugged shore - microwave etc. would beep and flash as if power, but then nothing. Jumped batteries and everything switched back on, but again, on battery not on shore. Home now, and shore at home works. Thoughts on why shore would "start" (stuff beeping, powering up, etc.) and then stopped and wouldnt work? Each time unplugged and replugged, would get the initial "beep on" then off. Tried 30 and 50 and reset everything... no circuits popped. Converter issue? AC worked the first night, so shore was working then. Also, should we turn batteries off when on shore? Any help would be appreciated!
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Replies:
Posted By: BuffaloRP178
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2022 at 7:03pm
| Wondering if that specific site's power had some issue being that it worked fine at home? Did you try another hookup at the campground? |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2022 at 7:42pm
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You don't need or want to disconnect the batteries while on shore power. If you do you won't get your batteries recharged.
Are you saying you jumped the trailer batteries from a charged battery and the microwave turned on momentarily? Your 120Vac loads should run whether your converter and/or batteries are working or not. The fridge is confusing because it requires 12Vdc to operate, even when in 120Vac mode. I suggest you focus first on the purely ac loads and be certain they work as they should. Unfortunately if you can't replicate the problem at home you likely won't be able to troubleshoot it. What do you mean when you say you tried 30 and 50? Do you mean you used a 50 to 30A dog bone? ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: campman
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2022 at 8:34am
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Good morning.
I had a similar problem after our first trip. Same general indications, the beeping and then nothing. I traced it to the plug on the side of the trailer where you plug in your shore power. When the trailer plug was installed they didn't connect the power wire correctly so it was arcing and melting the plastic in the plug body itself. I just loosened the wires, whittled out the melted plastic in the plug and properly reconnected the wires. I put it back together and it has worked perfectly since! Hope this helps you, Andy ------------- Andy and Laurie '16 F150 5.0 4X4 w/factory tow pkg '21 RP192 "If the women don't find you handsome...at least let them find you handy!" Red-Green |
Posted By: campman
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2022 at 8:46am
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I hope you use or are considering using a surge protector when plugging in your trailer power. Preferably one that protects from over and under voltage.
The best ones can also boost it if it senses a low voltage condition. No matter which one you use, it will tell you if you are being provided the appropriate power before letting g electricity through to your trailer and saving it from potentially damaging electrical situations. I use a Hughes Power Watchdog as an example, with over and under voltage protection. Cheers, Andy ------------- Andy and Laurie '16 F150 5.0 4X4 w/factory tow pkg '21 RP192 "If the women don't find you handsome...at least let them find you handy!" Red-Green |
Posted By: jasonslyric805
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2022 at 4:23pm
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Hi hi. Thank you for the prior info, bought the Huges. Ok, so... came home and plugged her in. All was working, batteries had charged on the drive home. Just went outside to her beeping again (a little over a week later). Batteries are dead, both. And nothing works even on shore so sounds like the converter? Tested both batteries - battery 1 plugged in was 8.4, and unplugged from shore went to 8.9?! battery 2 is at 5.8 for both. Help!
Side note, I have also read about battery issues/incompatibility causing converter issues? We have 2 deep cycle batteries on a 1/2/all/off switch... Went back out, and now the batteries are charging... up to 9.25 on 1 and 6.05 on 2...
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Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2022 at 6:23pm
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Have you always used a 1/2/all/off battery disconnect switch?? Has it worked correctly before and this is a new problem? I have heard of problems with this type of switch being wired incorrectly. I do not have any personal experience with this type, but suggest that you check for proper wiring. We have 2 6v gc batteries wired together and use a simple on/off switch. Safe travels Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2022 at 6:55pm
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These are 12V batteries connected on parallel when the batt switch is in the both position, right,?
9V is fully discharged so you really can't tell anything about the battery charging at those voltages. Since it appears that might be getting some charging from the converter you will need to dig deeper, otherwise I'd agree thats probably your most likely problem. Try this. Turn off everything in the trailer, including the fridge. Also check to be sure your breakaway brake line hasnt been pulled accidentally. Check that the main battery fuses are good. If you want you can pull all the other fuses to be sure everything else is off. Put the batt switch in the both position. Connect to shore power and check that the converter breaker is on. The battery voltage should come up to at least 11V after a couple of hours, and should reach around 14V within a day. If it doesn't then you either have a bad battery(ies) a stray load /short in your 12V system, or a failed converter. If you suspect the batteries then try disconnecting them and charging them with a separate charger. To determine whether it's the converter or a stray load I'd suggest getting a multimeter with a clamp on dc (not just AC which is more common) current probe and measure the current from the converter and to the loads. About $40 on Amazon. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2022 at 7:10pm
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+1 It would appear those batteries have been hurt by discharging them that far. Regardless, if you can, give each a 2 or 3 amp trickle charge for 24-36 hours, check voltage and then let set for another 4 hours and check again. The reading after 4 hours should be at least 12.72v and could be 13+ volts. Wait a full day and test each battery again, they should give the same reading as they did 24 hours prior. If they vary by more than 0.5 volts they will probably have to be replaced IMHO. ------------- 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: jasonslyric805
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2022 at 11:10am
Thank you for the input everyone! Turns out, the batteries AND the converter are bad... Easy enough to replace at least despite the cost 
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