dry camping
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=6251
Printed Date: 17 Jun 2025 at 6:22pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: dry camping
Posted By: wingnut2312
Subject: dry camping
Date Posted: 16 May 2015 at 11:35pm
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So our plans for Memorial Day have changed. We are now going to be dry camping for three days.
Here's the scoop... We haven't ever practiced proper battery care. I've owned the pod for two years and we rarely use the battery. It is charged before we go out, but has never been trickled over the winter. Here's the question- If we are only relying on the water pump for the bathroom, can we get by with one battery? Again, the battery has been allowed to discharge over the winter. I do realize I could always connect to the truck and recharge, but I would prefer not to. Should we get a second battery in relay or just use the one for the trip. We may also use the lights. Thanks!!! ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Replies:
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 17 May 2015 at 7:43am
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Check the water levels in the cells, if it is wet cell. Add distilled water if needed, don't overfill the cells. Throw it on a good electronic charger now and leave it for a couple days. After it has charged, take it off the charger, and let it rest for a day. Check the voltage, and use an battery PH tester to test the electrolyte. If the battery shows weakness, get a new one. Your car charging system will not give you near a full charge. You would have to drive for days to get it near fully charged. If all you're doing is runnig the water pump, your battery shouldn't need to be fully charged to run that intermittently for 3 days. The furnace, and the fridge (in 12V mode) , are big consumers of power. The water pump is 3rd place user, and the incandescent lamps, unless they are LED, which use near nothing for power. ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 17 May 2015 at 10:05am
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A good battery, just running the water pump as needed will be no problem.. It will also be running the brain of your fridge, the fantastic fan, lights, and the DSI of your water heater. BUT, if you don't need the furnace, or try to run the fridge on 12v, it should be fine. Follow tool man's instructions on testing the battery pre-trip. You want to see 12.6v or better after the resting period. As far as charging from the tow vehicle if need, use jumper cables. They move 10x the amps your bargman connector does, a 30 minute idle will bring your battery up pretty far, in an emergency. ------------- |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 17 May 2015 at 10:47am
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Thanks!! I'll check it out ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 May 2015 at 12:33pm
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I would bet after 2 years your battery won't hold a good charge. The voltage test mentioned above is a start, but you also need to load test it. The plates are likely sulphated and even if you see 12.7 volts after it rests for a few hours there may be few amps available. Without it plugged in to AC power, turn on all of the pod lights and the fan on high for an hour. Let it rest again for 3 hours and do another voltage test and report back. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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