More questions from the noobie...
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=1787
Printed Date: 13 May 2025 at 3:00pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: More questions from the noobie...
Posted By: secretbard
Subject: More questions from the noobie...
Date Posted: 10 May 2011 at 4:10pm
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1) I was wondering of what use the TV antenna is on my Rpod when I have a hook up on the outside for either cable or satellite? Can you draw a signal through the TV antenna alone? 2) The electric water heating ability on my Rpod seems to take forever to heat the water, and I'm not sure it is even heating the water at all. Every time I've turned that feature on inside that outside panel, nothing really happens. The water never gets luke warm or hot... it isn't ice cold either. I don't really care about the electric water heater feature as the propane water heater works very well for me. 3) What tire pressure "should" I have on my Rpod tires. I've read that some of you max it out, but somehow I don't think that is correct as the pressure does fluctuate when either hot or cold and may end up surpassing that max if you max out the psi. Tell me what the proper level is, or what you guys (who have a lot of miles on the road) do. 4) I've noticed that when my pod is unplugged from any outside electric and even when it is plugged into the truck, that there is no power supplying the outlets inside the pod. What do you guys do when you want to get power for something that uses an outlet? Do you get a DC converter plug that you plug into your truck's cigarette lighter and somehow run that cord into your pod? Everything else works, except for the Air Conditioner unit on the roof and the TV/DVD combo unit. I like how the furnace, water pump, water heater, and lights work when not plugged into an outside electric source. I also own a Yamaha 2000 portable generator because I plan on boondocking more than staying in an RV park. I like solitude and so does my dog... he barks and yanks every time he sees another dog... I also enjoy being able to hear all of nature's wonders off the beaten path. Thanks for all your info guys. :) Gary
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Replies:
Posted By: psaman
Date Posted: 10 May 2011 at 4:51pm
1) The TV antenna on the roof is for when you don't have cable or satellite, which I imagine would be the case when you boondock. State parks I stay at do not have cable and I just recently installed a satellite receiver in my Pod. The Pod supplied antenna actually works pretty good for me if at all near civilization. 2) Electric water heater should work pretty fast and if the breaker is in, I don't know why it isn't working. Please understand it does require 115volts AC to operate and will not run on DC. 3) Tire pressure on the tire itself states 50psi cold. I don't usually bother inflating unless it drops below 45psi; but that's just me. Yes, pressure will come up some as the tires heat up. 4)You will not have power to the various electrical outlets in the pod if unplugged from outside (shore) power; those are strictly AC outlets and are provided power by the pod converter when shore power is connected. The things you mention that work are all powered by DC from the Pod's battery. AC is required for the air conditioner and the television. ------------- 2011 R-177 "Sponge-Pod" 2011 F-150 XLT "Texas Edition" |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 10 May 2011 at 5:39pm
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1) I was wondering of what use the TV antenna is on my Rpod when I have a hook up on the outside for either cable or satellite? Can you draw a signal through the TV antenna alone? Yes, it works like a regular antenna. There is a power booster for the antenna located inside your R-POD. The booster should be on to receive over-the-air programming. It must be off to use cable or satellite. 2) The electric water heating ability on my Rpod seems to take forever to heat the water, and I'm not sure it is even heating the water at all. Every time I've turned that feature on inside that outside panel, nothing really happens. The water never gets luke warm or hot... it isn't ice cold either. I don't really care about the electric water heater feature as the propane water heater works very well for me. The water should be warm to hot within 30 minutes. It sounds like something is wrong. Most likely its one of: a) You've blown your electric element by turning it on when the water heater's tank is not full b) The bypass valves for the water heater are not set correctly. 3) What tire pressure "should" I have on my Rpod tires. I've read that some of you max it out, but somehow I don't think that is correct as the pressure does fluctuate when either hot or cold and may end up surpassing that max if you max out the psi. Tell me what the proper level is, or what you guys (who have a lot of miles on the road) do. The tires should be inflated to the maximum printed on the sidewall (my tires are 50 pounds, yours may be different, so please check). Ideally, top-up the tires first thing in the morning before moving the R-POD. 4) I've noticed that when my pod is unplugged from any outside electric and even when it is plugged into the truck, that there is no power supplying the outlets inside the pod. What do you guys do when you want to get power for something that uses an outlet? Do you get a DC converter plug that you plug into your truck's cigarette lighter and somehow run that cord into your pod? Everything else works, except for the Air Conditioner unit on the roof and the TV/DVD combo unit. I like how the furnace, water pump, water heater, and lights work when not plugged into an outside electric source. That's correct. If you wish to run a low-wattage 120 volt device like your TV/DVD, then you will need to use an inverter. However, even with an inverter, your battery is not capable of powering the A/C. I strongly suggest against trying to power any heat-producing device (coffee maker, hair dryer, toaster, curling iron, heating blanket) with your battery and inverter as it will rapidly deplete your battery - sometimes within an hour. I also own a Yamaha 2000 portable generator because I plan on boondocking more than staying in an RV park. I also have a generator and do use it on occasion. Mine is an inverter-generator and produces pure sine power suitable for the R-POD's converter, air conditioner and other electronics. Although it is quiet and comparable to noise produced by the Honda and Yamaha models, I still find it noisy and annoying. For the most part, I simply keep my power usage low and run solely off of battery. I'll crank up my genny for an hour every couple of days to bulk charge the battery. One caution for you: a 2000 watt generator will probably not power your air conditioner without a hard start capacitor. If you don't have an inverter-generator, I suggest that you don't connect your R-POD's power supply directly to it. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: secretbard
Date Posted: 10 May 2011 at 7:47pm
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The electric hot water heater problem was solved. The breaker switch was turned off (probably done by the dealer). Yes, I do have the inverter Yamaha 2000 watt genny. No, unfortunately it doesn't power the air conditioner, but it will power everything else, including the fan only mode of the air conditioner unit. Where is this power booster you speak of in the Rpod for the antenna? Thanks for all the info guys. Gary ------------- 2010 Rpod 172 :) 2004 Chevy Trailblazer |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 May 2011 at 10:00pm
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Glad you fixed your water heater problem. If we have electric hookups but no sewer (so no showers in the 'pod) I'll only turn on the electric element - perfect for washing hands and dishes. When we do have a sewer connection I'll use the propane and electric at the same time so it heats up faster between showers. Of course when we are boondocking I'll only use the propane heater. Always inflate your 'pod tires and your tow vehicle's tires to their listed maximum when you are towing. They don't achieve their rated weight capacity unless they are at their max. Don't worry about the pressure increasing some due to road friction, the manufacturers take that into consideration. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 10 May 2011 at 10:04pm
The Winegard power supply looks like http://www.anyrvparts.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=11330&SID=33&DID=51&CID=62&BID= - this :  Notice that it has a 12v accessory outlet, a coax outlet and a tiny power button (which illuminates when pressed in the 'on' position). On my 171, its located inside the cabinet over the sink. I'm sure that someone with a 172 will chime-in with its location in your trailer. Follow the coax cable from the back of your TV/DVD and it'll eventually lead you to the booster. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: ToddsPod
Date Posted: 10 May 2011 at 10:21pm
Yes, it is in the cabinet above the stove on the right hand side. Push the button for antenna boost. I assume all the 'pods have this. -------------  
'07 Dodge RAM 1500 ST Longbed QuadCab 4.7L V8 --- '10 Forest River R-Pod 172 |
Posted By: Hodge-PODge
Date Posted: 10 May 2011 at 10:51pm
Hmmm, in the 177, I thought it was in the tv/dvd cabinet above the bed. A little button lights up when you push it for ON, right? Well, I THINK  that is the antenna booster. Someone tell me if I'm wrong.
Wait a minute! I just saw Outbound's pic. Yep, that's it - that's what I was talking about. ------------- 2011 RP 177, the Hodge-PODge 2011 Mercedes ML350 "A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it." |