First Trip Debrief
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Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6086
Printed Date: 20 May 2025 at 1:51am
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Topic: First Trip Debrief
Posted By: cosmo751
Subject: First Trip Debrief
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2015 at 8:41am
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First trip with my 177, "Phoebe" to Applewhite campground in Lytle Creek Ca. The night was spent comfortably, the dogs, Peaches and Sarah loved it. Lessons learned were: 1. Don't forget the generator key. 2. Don't forget the key for the lock on the solar panel. (100 Watt Renogy) 3. The heater is loud when cycling. It's okay - I always travel with earplugs. 4. The freezer is too small for most frozen foods. Burritos and small Ben & Jerry's are about it. I'm doing at least one more overnighter before a long trip this summer. I can't wait!  ------------- "He not busy being born is busy dying." |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2015 at 10:52am
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A suggestion, keep a spare set of all of the camping-related keys in your glove box. That has saved us several times. ------------- 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: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2015 at 10:02am
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I keep a full set of keys that are labeled on a lanyard that I wear around my neck, while camping. When inside the trailer, I hook them on a Command hook by the door. 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: WIRpodder
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2015 at 10:11am
| Looks good! How did you like the Renology 100 watt kit? |
Posted By: cosmo751
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2015 at 12:35pm
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It works quite well and is less than half the price of an 80 Watt Zamp. Fairly well made too - Watch the polarity of the new style connector - it mates with the ZAMP socket but you connect the wiring to the charge controller yourself - KN ------------- "He not busy being born is busy dying." |
Posted By: fixitmr2
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2015 at 1:08pm
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Where did you find a good price for the Renology 100 ?
thank you Ron ------------- Ron and Linda 2015 R Pod 179 2015 Tacoma |
Posted By: cosmo751
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2015 at 8:59am
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Direct from Renogy in Chino - I live about 6 miles from their office. Gave me 15% off for coming in.. Ken ------------- "He not busy being born is busy dying." |
Posted By: Larry158
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2015 at 11:41am
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Cosmo751, Still waiting to get my new 178 out past the snow build up for a trial run. A couple of questions if you would not mind. 1) it appears that you have a weight distribution system on you rig. Do you have to take that off if you have to back up or do you just have to remove the anti-sway bar. 2) Re the Renogy 100 watt solar panel-A) did it charge the batteries B)could you please explain a little further-does it plug in directly to the Zamp outlet on the R Pod without out modification, and Watch the polarity on the new style connector going into the Zamp connection on the R Pod?? and lastly "you connect the wiring to the controller yourself? Still freezing in the Adirondack Mountains awaiting my maiden voyage. Thanks in advance Larry158
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Posted By: scentralmt
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2015 at 7:20pm
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I just signed up so I can try to answer your question. I got a folding solar panel off of ebay. I also have a Battery Tender for keeping the batteries charged. I found that the Zamp plug is the same type that the Battery Tender uses. I bought an extension cord that the Battery Tender uses and used it to wire up the solar panel to plug into the Zamp plug. The polarity is reversed on my trailer so if I were to use the Battery Tender plugged into the Zamp plug it won't work due to the way they wire the Zamp plug. I pulled the paneling in the storage area and switched the wires so my solar panel and Battery Tender can both use the same plug and the wiring looks correct at the batteries.
I got my 177 last fall and got 3 days of use out of it for deer hunting. I like the width, easy to see behind out of my F150. Plan to get a lot of use out of it! |
Posted By: WIRpodder
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2015 at 8:53am
| Thanks for the info on the Renogy kit! The Zamp setup looks nice and the plug and play connection to the Rpod seems convenient. However, I am struggling to pay about $200 more for an 80 watt Zamp than a Renogy 100 watt system, especially when the Renogy system gets good such good reviews. |
Posted By: cosmo751
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2015 at 9:00am
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SCENTRALMT nailed it exactly on the Solar wiring - The ZAMP connector on the trailer has the opposite polarity from the Renogy connector. I'm planning to fix mine the same way he (she?) did but took the temporary measure of reversing the connection at the charge controller. The E2 hitch I use doesn't have to be disconnected to back up - I believe the Equalizer brand and the new Husky Center Line do not require disconnection either. I consider this a big deal because removing load bars is a bit of an effort if you aren't the Incredible Hulk.. Cheers ! Ken ------------- "He not busy being born is busy dying." |
Posted By: fixitmr2
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2015 at 8:33pm
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thank you for the info.
Ron ------------- Ron and Linda 2015 R Pod 179 2015 Tacoma |