Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: New Member - solar trickle charger question

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New Member - solar trickle charger question

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
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=16164
Printed Date: 17 Jun 2025 at 11:43am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: New Member - solar trickle charger question

Posted By: BlackeShepe
Subject: New Member - solar trickle charger question
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2025 at 9:42am

Hello there,

I'm a new owner of a used (2024) 171C

I'm thinking I should use a solar trickle charger to keep the battery up when I'm not on shore power and it's just waiting for our next adventure...

Does anyone use something like this?

My driveway spot where I keep it, it would be in the shade of the Pod but it's plenty bright enough to keep a charge on it as long as we're not running the lights all the time.

(We use similar ones to keep the charge on our maintenance vehicles when they aren't used daily)

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Bill and Tina J
2024 R-171C, 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500
Somewhere in (hot) California
30 miles from Hell, CA (Google it)
Been a long time since we trailer camped.

Replies:

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2025 at 11:26am

Not knowing how much shade you're talking about, and knowing how many watts your solar charger might put out, it's difficult to hazard a guess about how well it might do.

That said, trickle charging a battery that does not have much load seems like a light lift. You might consider putting the panels on the rood of the Rpod to eliminate the shade issue.

How far are you from Blythe?

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2025 at 8:56am

We used a portable 130watt panel to keep our Rpod battery charged. We skipped using the Zamp port and just wired the fused pigtail that came with our panel directly to the battery. We also installed a battery cutoff so there would be no parasitic drain from any electronics in the camper. You could probably get by with a basic 100watt panel, just make sure it is secured from wind or theft.

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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2025 at 9:32am

Another option is to simply unhook the ground (-) cable from the battery when not in use. This is what I have done for the past 14 years with our 177.

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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: StephenH
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2025 at 1:15pm

Or, add a battery cut-off switch.

https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Waterproof-Disconnect-Isolator-Warranty/dp/B07T288VN8/ - https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Waterproof-Disconnect-Isolator-Warranty/dp/B07T288VN8/

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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