Car as Generator
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=3093
Printed Date: 10 May 2024 at 3:55am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Car as Generator
Posted By: mountain mist
Subject: Car as Generator
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2012 at 7:17pm
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On the last camping trip this year, it was cold at night. I was dry camping(w/o hook-ups) Since the Pod does not have a generator, I have not bought one due to expense, AND just as important, too darn heavy for me to lift around..........I plug the battery cord into the car , start the car and let it run, thus charging my Pod battery. The electronic ignition and fan on the furnace pulls a lot of current apparently when it cycles on in the night. I have put the themostat down around 50, but by morning I have to get up in the dark and hook up again to have heat. I am told by another person that this is not good on my car battery or generator. It should be used ONLY in an emergency. Would like opinions and suggestions on this. At this point I think Winter camping is a bit too much for me, what with 2 dogs to tend to. We stayed very cosy due to LOTS of quilts and blankets. I am told that the Pod is just not meant to do Winter camping in, not an all season camper. Thanks ahead of time for comments, suggestions. ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2012 at 7:33pm
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Well.. the pod, just like any camper, has it's limits. Winter camping is no problem, but you DO need either a generator or electric hookups. If you are going to do much boondocking, regardless of season, a dual battery setup is better. In general, a winter package on a camper gets you better insulation, a enclosed belly, and heated holding tanks. Draining your battery to the "no lights" point is VERY bad. VERY bad. For lack of a better way to put it, anytime you do that, it cuts the batteries life span in half.. for a say, "6 year battery".. 4 times and you will be lucky to get a second season out of that battery. If you need a generator just to charge the batteries, and not run the AC, or microwave, a 1000w inverter type will do great, and they weigh hardly anything, (less than 30 pounds) get fantastic gas "mileage", and are quiet to boot. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2012 at 9:07pm
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furpod covered it. The pod isn't designed for full-service winter camping, it would need to be modified to enclose the belly and heat it, but as long as you keep the water system winterized it does great. I camped last January in 10 F lows and kept warm and comfortable with a small electric heater. Keep in mind in cold weather lead acid batteries (temporarily) loose a lot of capacity - you get electricity from a chemical reaction and in colder temps that chemical reaction happens more slowly. As furpod said, two batteries or a small Honda inverter-genset would be useful. Although a 2000 watt model would still be portable but allow you to run a quiet electric heater instead of the jet-engine LP heater. ------------- 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: mountain mist
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2012 at 9:39am
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Since I don't want the expense of a mod for an enclosed belly and the Honda generator that I would have no use for after the Pod is gone, I have gained the knowledge that Winter camping is not for me. I park under trees in Spring, Summer, Fall, some cool. have battery operated fan to move some air in evening until it turns very cool in the mountains in the wee hours. Did not drain the battery to "no" lights. that good to know. Don't have micro, but have toaster oven when I have full hook-ups. Go for 4 days w/o hookups, due to having to dump. Had all water systems drained before I went this time, but I don't go when the weather would be as low as techntrek does. Bottom line: I don't want to encure a large expense due to what may be limited time to keep the Pod due to age and doing it myself. I have looked at the Honda inverter and they are costly, drooled over it. Could lift it ok. furpod.. what is the brand of the 1000w inverter type you mentioned. Have I missed something that might be less costly. Thank you both for the information. With an aged dog and a puppy I was challanged , add cold , drizzly weather and the person in the middle was getting older by the minute!  I was stubbornly determined to go out since I had gone out in Spring one time and the rest of the year was shot for one reason or another. Wanted a taste of camping before pouring the antifreeze into the system. We live and learn, LOL ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2012 at 3:20pm
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There are definitely cheaper inverter-genset options out there now. I believe Champion is one brand. Just don't expect them to be as quiet when using "eco mode". ------------- 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: mountain mist
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2012 at 5:18pm
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The weight on this Champion? can one older woman lift it? I think I have seen the Champion if it is yellow and black, looks like a tough little thing, but don't remember what wattage was. will look online to see if there are choices before I have to go out and find one. ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2012 at 9:04pm
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Champion and Generac both make one, I think the Generac is 29lbs and about $500. As far as an older woman.. it's all relative, my mom is 70, dad is 75, they still camp at all times of the year, and have a 2000i for when they don't want to run the onboard geeny, or for stuff around their property, or emergency. Mom has no problem with it. My MIL can't pick up a #10 can of beans.. And she is younger (68).. I will also point out a generator is not "lost money". Even if you get it for camping, it can be used for lots of stuff, and can be sold later, often at little loss $ wise. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2012 at 9:49pm
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Looks like 48 pounds (dry) according to this page: http://www.championpowerequipment.com/generators/73531i/ - http://www.championpowerequipment.com/generators/73531i/ ------------- 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: furpod
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2012 at 10:51pm
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Ahhh... see I am looking at a 1k unit since all they want to do is charge batteries... lighter, and better mileage.. Something along this line.. http://www.generac.com/Portables/iX/Products/iX800/ 29 lbs. ------------- |
Posted By: mountain mist
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 6:50am
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ok... the Really dumb question coming up. I looked at the generac iX800. it has the 2 120v. plugs. How do I plug it into my Pod since I have the large 2 prong battery cord. Do I get a long cord and run it though the door/window? to the plug in the Pod? I am just not sure how the power gets to the Pod battery. Forgive the totally not knowing. May be simple answer, but one I have never thought about! ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 8:25am
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You plug the in to the gen. the other end goes into the big plug were your shore power plugs in. Once your pluged in everything works just like shore power. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 8:30am
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adapter plugs are available where camping stuff is sold. I got one that adapts from a larger plug down to the pod shore power plug, and one that adapts a normal household plug up to the shore power plug.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 9:37am
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You need a "120v 30A to 120v 15A" adapter. You should have gotten one with your camper... You also should get a "120v 50A to 120v 30A" dogbone/adapter. I will post pictures if needed.. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 10:13am
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The 50 amp to 30 amp adapter that furpod mentioned may not be necessary, it depends on the campgrounds in your area. I bought one but have never found a need for it. I figure some day I'll be on a site with a bad 30 amp outlet and I'll finally use it but so far it hasn't been needed.
The 20 amp (household plug) to 30 amp (rpod plug) adaptor is very useful and is what is needed for this particular problem. I have a 30 amp outlet at home so I don't usually need it there but many don't. I'll use the adaptor over the winter when the pod is in its winter storage spot which is too far away from the 30 amp outlet. So when I top off the pod's battery once in a while I'll stretch a 100 foot extension cord out there and then use the adapter to plug into the extension cord. ------------- 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: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 11:21am
That what I do as well, except I leave mine plugged in all winter. Right now, I have both the Pod and the Jayco plugged in on seperate extension cords, using the adapters.
------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: mountain mist
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 11:29am
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Marwayne....the shore plug on the Pod has the large male in and the female end pushes in and is clamped in. The male end will NOT fit in the regular plug in on the small generator. Some of the big ones have the the large 3 prong , but the small one looks like the receptal you have in the house. ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: mountain mist
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 11:37am
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Keith-N-Dar....That sounds like what I need. a Normal household plug up to the shore power. The end that plugs into the small generator looks like a normal household plug. But what do you do to get the other end to match the shore power plug. Some kind of adaptor that you mate with the cord and Pod. Where do you find this and what do I ask for? Am I correct.... you plug in the normal household plug to the generator and run it to the outlet on the left side of the pod( I have mine plugged in to the house current all Winter). In order to fit in that hole it will have to have an adaptor to fit on the end of the cord and then it will mate with the Pod.  Excuse the dumb, but I get no help from the other half, he just says he does not want to deal with it! I only want enough power to run some small thing, one at a time. Be it fan in summer or some lights at night. This is dry camping, NO hookups at all. ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: mountain mist
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 11:41am
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techntrek... I need a 20 amp adaptor to use the small generator? I may need pictures to fully understand if I have asked the right question. ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: mountain mist
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 11:44am
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furpod..... it might be different if the husband camped with me, but I am 72 and doing it alone, have had to learn everything new outright. 2 people knowing what they are doing is one thing, one person doing it and not knowing all the ins and outs is totally different!Of course it is easy with there are full hookups, I do fine. The boon docking makes you adapt, have done ok until trying to Winter camp  ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 12:36pm
  Put the adapter on the black plug, that plugs into the gen., the yellow goes into the shore power outlet. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 1:00pm
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When purchasing a generator make sure you understand that the "bargain" gensets usually do not have "clean" output to run computers, some tv's and other sensitive electronics. For toasters, fans, heaters, it will be just fine. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 1:31pm
I have to disagree. Most gen sets now are quite clean and run electronics safely. That was not true a few years ago. Ask the seller about what is safe to run on the genset, and check the model's writeup on the web. Any more a generator would not be very useful if they were like Bob says. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: mountain mist
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 2:55pm
 thank you for the reply and the pix. THAT would work. Now to find THAT adapter! Thank you for patience  ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: mountain mist
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 2:57pm
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thank you Camper Bob. I do not take a computer in this rig, did in our motorcoaches. The uses would be heater or fan. I plug my Kindle in the car when I am going someplace so that it is charged and lite is good. My needs are few when I boon doggle. ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: mountain mist
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 3:00pm
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Marware.... can I find one of the adapters at Walmart,will look online at Camping world. What is it called? ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: mountain mist
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 3:28pm
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Sorry, MarWayne.... what is the adaptor called. I have looked in Camping World, have not come up with it. ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 3:42pm
This is the type of thing he is talking about. http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/15-amp-male-to-30-amp-female-adapter/57719 - http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/15-amp-male-to-30-amp-female-adapter/57719 This is the one I have. http://www.amazon.com/Camco-55223-15M-PowerGrip-Adapter/dp/B00192JGA8/ref=pd_sim_sg_1 - http://www.amazon.com/Camco-55223-15M-PowerGrip-Adapter/dp/B00192JGA8/ref=pd_sim_sg_1 Any Local RV Shop will have them in stock. My Dealer gave me one when I purchased my Trailer.
------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 3:43pm
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Was at wally world today, they had them in the little, and I do mean little, RV section back by automotive..
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Posted By: mountain mist
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 3:46pm
Seanl.... thanks. I saw the one on Camping World but was not sure if it was right. will look at the one you have ... at amazon Thank you so much ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: mountain mist
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 3:50pm
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Just ordered the one from Amazon, cheaper than Camping world (their shipping is out of this world) and I have Prime with Amazon.. Thank you so much, all of you. Now I am going to mull on a generator over the Winter  ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 7:35pm
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Marwayne, I just saw your pics on page 2. You rock, a pic is worth a thousand words. A note about the two types of adapters in the 2 links above in Seanl's post. Many of the "hockey puck" type of adapters (small, one piece, the 2nd link above)) are just this side of junk. I've seen stories online of people finding them melted from heat. Since they are fully enclosed there is no place for the heat to go. On the other hand, most of the "dogbone" type of adapters (first link above) are better-made and since they spread the load over more surface area the heat dissipates. So just a warning about the hockey pucks - keep an eye on them. That said, I have one and have never had a problem, either on my prior camper or the pod. ------------- 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: mountain mist
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2012 at 7:50pm
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I hope i remembered to thank you all for the information, but will do it again. THANKS. Have had a computer shafu and by the time I worked it out and FB too, I cleaned my own memory banks. Turned out..... hubby saw my order for the Cameo at Amazon, said he had several in basement AND one in Pod...... A lot of little too late... o well. Thank you Techntrek for the warning about the "hockey puck". If you have a melt down what happens to your generator and Pod! ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2012 at 8:24pm
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Worst case if the "hockey puck" melts enough that the contacts touch somehow, it will throw the circuit breaker on the generator, I wouldn't worry much about it. But if you see some deformity in the one you are using I would throw it away.
------------- 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: mountain mist
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2012 at 9:12am
Thanks Techntrek.... I will keep an eye for it. Now that I have a least 4 of the things I have a back up and then some, but do not want to ruin something else. May go on and get the other one that disipates the heat better, now that I know what it looks like. ------------- '11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
Posted By: rickwxi
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2012 at 11:49am
I have been using a 1000 watt generator that I bought at Harbor Freight tools when it was on sale. It works great. I am also a Amature Radio operator and use it to power radios on outings like field day. There is one draw back to this generator, it is a 2 cycle so you have to mix the oil and gas, not a problem really. I just a sale ad for $89 at Harbor Freigh. I purchased mine on sale for $79. Rick and Barb |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2012 at 1:08pm
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rickwxi, you may find this page interesting: http://www.aprs.org/FD-Prius-Power.html - http://www.aprs.org/FD-Prius-Power.html ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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