New 179 member
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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=6332
Printed Date: 20 May 2025 at 1:40pm
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Topic: New 179 member
Posted By: JCP
Subject: New 179 member
Date Posted: 30 May 2015 at 4:43pm
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Put a deposit on a 179 today and will be picking it up the end of next week (Coates RV in MN). I'm looking for advice about: 1) battery/ies i.e. standard group 24; 2 group 24s; group 27 or 29 2) propane size i.e. one 20 lb; 2 20 lb; one 30 lb 3) installation of a DC receptacle near the bed and/or kitchen area I'd welcome anyone's thoughts on these matters before I pick up my r-pod. Thanks!
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Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 30 May 2015 at 4:54pm
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Welcome to the group and congrats on your 179!! We really like our!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 May 2015 at 10:57pm
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Welcome. How often do you plan on boondocking and for how long each time? That will be useful to answer 1 and 2. Often you can tap into an existing 12 volt line to add an outlet. ------------- 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: JCP
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 9:41am
| Thanks for the response! I've installed DC outlets in boats and know that it's not a big deal as long as you have ready access to the DC wires. I'm surprised that FR doesn't automatically include on or two outlets inside the camper. |
Posted By: CFWARREN
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 9:50am
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I don't have mine right here to double check, but my 179 had at least 4 outlets inside, 2 in the kitchen area, one behind the TV, of course, and one near the bed. I would have prefered having the 2 in the kitchen be above the countertop, but that's how it goes. ------------- 2016 179 - Hood River Edition 2008 Nissan Xterra |
Posted By: JCP
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 10:40am
| Thanks for the response. I think you're talking about AC outlets, and I'm referring to DC outlets (like an old fashioned cigarette lighter outlet). |
Posted By: CFWARREN
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 10:45am
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You're right, it would be handy to have a couple of those inside, to charge the Garmin GPS or whatever.
------------- 2016 179 - Hood River Edition 2008 Nissan Xterra |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 1:20pm
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I just use one of these two socket chargers in the TV plug: http://www.amazon.com/Rocketek%C2%AE-Charger-Splitter-Motorola-Computers/dp/B00HPM6E5Q/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1433092751&sr=8-18&keywords=cigarette+car+port+charger |
Posted By: JCP
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 1:56pm
| Are you saying that there is a DC outlet where the TV plugs in? I haven't taken delivery on my unit yet, so can't check it out. I also thought it would be easy to install a DC outlet on the side of the hassock where the motor for the slide out is located. |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 2:40pm
Looks like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/230438424840?lpid=82&chn=ps |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 4:06pm
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Back to your original question, items 1 and 2. Unless you are never gong to camp without electricity hookup I recommend two Group 2 golf cart (GC2) six volt batteries in series. Batteries are a dealer supplied and installed item and usually they include a single Group 24 "Marine" battery in the deal. These GP24s are typically 85 ampere-hours, which doesn't go very far without a charger. Two GC2s will provide 225 AH at 12V and is superior to even two GP24s in parallel. Since you've already paid for the single GP24 in the deal, now is the time to apply that credit to the price of the GC2s. If you don't plan much cool/cold weather camping the single 20# gas bottle will suffice. However, you will have to check (weigh) the bottle before each trip and probably top it off each time for a fresh start. If you have access to a propane dealer that works fine. But if plan to just swap bottles at a neighborhood convenience store you will be wasting money when you have to swap a 1/4 full bottle for a full one at the beginning of the trip. The preferable solution is to go with two 20# bottles and an automatic switchover regulator. They are very common and inexpensive. This configuration allows you to run one bottle completely dry and allow the regulator to automatically switch to the full bottle with no interruption in flow. Then, depending on trip length and furnace usage, you can fill/swap the empty or wait until you're back home. Either way you're not paying for gas you never used and you always have a full bottle available. There's not much advantage to going to 30# bottles. If you need that much gas it's easier and cheaper to carry a third 20# bottle somewhere in the TV. The 20# bottles are the best deal because so many are used for BBQs, heaters, etc., and they are most readily available for swap in an emergency. BTW, don't plan on relying upon the inline dial type propane tank gauges. They will reliably tell yu when the tank is empty and nothing more. Due to the nature of liquid propane they tell you nothing between full and empty. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: JCP
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 6:14pm
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Thank you, Charlie. That is very helpful information! John
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Posted By: CFWARREN
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 6:24pm
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I misunderstood, of course the outlets inside the 179 are AC outlets, not DC. At least one DC outlet would be handy. ------------- 2016 179 - Hood River Edition 2008 Nissan Xterra |