Battery life
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=6146
Printed Date: 24 Jun 2025 at 7:29pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Battery life
Posted By: Plantguy
Subject: Battery life
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 11:11am
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will my 179's battery charge while driving? How long will the battery last while not plugged in. What is the best way to maintain battery life while camping without land power? I just purchased my 179 and can use some education. Thanks, Lefty ------------- Life is too important to be taken seriously!i |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 11:56am
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1) it depends on if your tow vehicle is set up to charge it. 2) it depends on how you manage the battery power.. ie: how long does it take to drink a beer? 3) run fridge on gas, use minimal lights, though you have LED's, every bit helps. Use the heater very sparingly, make hot water once a day, do showers/wash ups, and dishes then and shut off the water heater. Don't hook up or use and inverter for anything. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 12:24pm
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What TV (tow vehicle) are you using? To expand on furpod's #1, there is a charge (+12) line on the Bargeman (the round electrical connection) which must be hooked up AND needs properly-sized wire running to it. GM vehicles for instance come with a 12 gauge wire to that pin, but it (and the brake controller line that runs into the cabin for a brake controller) is not hooked up at the factory. It takes 10 minutes to locate and hook up both wires - but 12 gauge wire isn't big enough, especially if you run your fridge on DC mode while you drive. Some hard numbers: just the fridge uses 11 amps in DC mode, excluding what the pod's battery will try to draw if it is discharged (which will be much more than 11 amps itself). Assuming a 20 foot run from your TV battery to the Bargeman on the back, with 12 gauge wire, 14 volts (typical alternator output) and a 11 amp load, there is a 6.3% voltage drop. That leaves you with 13.1 volts at the Bargeman, which will drop further between that point and the battery connection. To maintain the charge on the pod battery you need at least 13.7 volts at the pod battery, so you can see there is already a deficit which will be made up by discharging the pod battery instead of charging it. Not a big deal for a 1-2 hour trip (only if you aren't boondocking at your destination), but after several hours on the road your fridge will start to warm. Been there, done that. At a minimum you need 8 gauge wire which is still barely big enough, which will give you a 2.5% voltage drop with 11 amps, or about 13.65 volts. As furpod said, in addition to running a larger charge line one of the best things you can do is just run the fridge on gas mode. Only with those 2 steps can you be sure your battery will charge on the road. Also see the link in my signature for more info.
------------- 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: Plantguy
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 12:39pm
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I'm towing with a Toyota Tacoma, 6 cylinder.
------------- Life is too important to be taken seriously!i |
Posted By: Plantguy
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 12:42pm
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2005 Toyota Tacoma 6 cylinder
------------- Life is too important to be taken seriously!i |
Posted By: Plantguy
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 12:47pm
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Thanks to you both. But I am such a novice, what is the Bargeman? Must be the 7 pin connector. It was installed by Campways. Will I need to change the wire to #8? If the frig is on propane will the car charge the pods battery? [Maybe you already answered that, I will reread your message. ------------- Life is too important to be taken seriously!i |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 02 May 2015 at 8:01pm
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I moved this to the podmod section. Yes the Bargeman is the round electric connection at the back of your TV. If you don't run the fridge in DC mode you can get away with a smaller wire. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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