inverter, water heater, battery charge questions
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4236
Printed Date: 09 Jun 2025 at 4:09pm
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Topic: inverter, water heater, battery charge questions
Posted By: Fluffy
Subject: inverter, water heater, battery charge questions
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2013 at 1:02pm
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Hello all We are fairly new Podders and have some questions. 1. We have a TRIPP-LITE DC to AC inverter (Powerverter). When we have it on "auto" so that we can plug in our computer etc, it HUMS a rather obnoxious hum. When it is on "charge only" it does not hum. Is the hum normal? 2. If we are taking a shower and the on board water runs out mid shower, do we have to leap out and turn off the water heater so it does not burn out the heating element? 3. When we are driving, does the car charge the 12 v battery? (We have solar in Arizona, and so never need to worry about charging on the road). Thanks so much |
Replies:
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2013 at 2:22pm
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1. I have never worked with this inverter, but all the ones I have worked with have made noise when converting DC to AC. This is years old information. I haven't used one in years. I hope others here have used this particular unit and can help you. 2. If your on board water tank runs dry you do need to turn off the pump, but since the pump is between the tank and the heater the heater should not be dry. Since it will not be needed until the tank is full again I would turn it off, but I don't think it will hurt anything if you don't. If in fact the water heater did empty with the electric element on it will be gone before you can react anyway. 3. If you TV is wired for it your battery will charge while driving. That included an ample sized wire running from the TV to the connector on the Pod. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2013 at 3:52pm
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We use an inverter often and it does make kind of a humming noise. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2013 at 4:50pm
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I agree, most inverters make a humming noise, usually more hum the bigger the inverter. As mentioned, no need to worry about the water heater. Don't drain it all camping season and it will always have water in it even if the fresh water tank empties. Your last question is a "maybe". Make sure the wire running to the +12 connection on your Bargeman (7 pin connector) is at least 10 gauge wire, and understand that if you run your fridge on 12 volt mode it will use about 10 amps by itself - a large load. I usually use the gas mode on the road, partly so this load isn't present on the charge line. Also some TVs will automatically increase the voltage from the alternator when in tow mode to help put more amps into the camper battery. ------------- 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: Seanl
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2013 at 10:29pm
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The inverter hum is probably a fan. On charge it probably doesn't draw enough to turn on the fan. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2013 at 10:53pm
My guess is that Sean is right about the fan being the source of the hum. But what do you mean about having it on "charge only"? What is it charging? TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |