battery power?
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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=6515
Printed Date: 13 Jul 2025 at 2:50pm
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Topic: battery power?
Posted By: wingnut2312
Subject: battery power?
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2015 at 2:06pm
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So help me out. Does the microwave and tv not work on battery power? Battery says 2/3 full, but those two things aren't powering up.
Any suggestions? ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Replies:
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2015 at 2:22pm
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Microwave and AC will not run an the battery. Some Pods had 12V TVs, but MOST did not. Therefore your TV probably will not run on the battery. BTW, do not put much trust in the 4 light battery indicator. The only light that means anything is the top light and that only means the battery is being charged, not that it is charged. The other three lights mean almost nothing, just like the tank level indications.
------------- 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: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2015 at 2:43pm
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Well that sucks! Lol. We have no power here from the storms and I told the kids we were lucky to have a camper...only to find out I was wrong. Oh well, back to reminding them how people lived without power for a long time. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2015 at 3:00pm
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For that you need a generator. 2000 watts for microwave and TV, 2400+ watts if you include the A/C. Preferably propane powered so you don't have the problems of long term gasoline storage.
------------- 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: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2015 at 3:57pm
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I need one of those for my house!! Lol ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: WillThrill
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2015 at 6:06pm
My Yamaha 2400 iSHC runs the AC well, though I do plan to put a hard start capacitor on the AC to help with the compressor cycling. Storing gasoline isn't really a problem if you store it in very tightly sealed gas containers. I've stored regular E-10 gasoline for over a year this way and burned it with no problems whatsoever. At the end of the camping season, you can just empty your gas containers into your car. ------------- "Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien 2014 Hood River 177 2005 GMC Envoy XL |
Posted By: Don Halas
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 8:15am
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If the TV is connected to the trailer when dry camping will the TV battery supplement the trailer battery? I know there's a risk in using the car battery, but curious especially if it would be adequate to power the slide before leaving if the trailer battery has been run down. I'm sure with jumpers from the TV to the trailer that would work, but would be nice if the trailer connections were adequate. Thanks. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 9:38am
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The TV should be set up such that the TV battery is disconnected from the TT when the engine is not running. This prevents the TT from discharging the TV starting battery. When you start the engine the TV will supply power to the TT. The TT will charge the TV battery, but slowly. You may have to let the engine run a few minutes to recharge the TT battery enough to close the slide.
------------- 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: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 9:42am
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Yes, you can do that. I would even recommend opening the slide before you disconnect the TV (and leave it running), ditto if you have a power tongue jack, to preserve your available power if you will be camping off-grid. Or if the camper battery is low at the end of the weekend. But I wouldn't leave the TV connected all weekend because it has a starting battery which are easily damaged if you run them down like a deep cycle battery (the type on the pod's tongue) - not to mention you'll be stuck if you can't start the TV.
If you don't have solar or a generator and you'll be camping more than 2-3 days, you can hook up the TV with good jumper cables and run it for 30 minutes every other day (not every day) to top off the pod battery. Don't use the Bargeman connector for this - the wiring is too small. ------------- 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: Don Halas
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 11:35am
| Thanks. Don't expect to be off the grid often but like to have a plan. |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 12:03pm
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Another battery related question. I keep the pod plugged into shore power when storing at home and tow with a charge line, but when I get to a dry camping site and disconnect from the TV the battery indicator on the wall panel shows 2/3 (3 dots). I know the panel lights aren't very specific but it seems like it should read full (or 4 dots). ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: WillThrill
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 12:33pm
As said before, don't put much stock in what the onboard battery indicator says. The FAR better way to measure a battery's capacity is with a voltmeter. You can install a permanent voltmeter as many here have done. I installed a 12v socket very close to the junction box and just plug in an Innova voltmeter into that to assess the battery. The back of the voltmeter even tells you what voltage corresponds to what percentage of capacity the battery is at. Even more simple, you can get a 12v socket that just clamps onto the battery outside and plug the Innova voltmeter into that, but that requires going outside. ------------- "Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien 2014 Hood River 177 2005 GMC Envoy XL |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 1:07pm
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Plus, if you tow with the fridge on DC mode, most TV wiring (including factory-installed wiring) isn't large enough to handle the 10-11 amp load. So you end up discharging your camper battery while you tow - and if you tow more than a few hours your food will start to warm up once the pod's battery has run down. Always use propane mode on the road, it is the best way to avoid battery and fridge issues. Often it means less "fiddle factor" too. ------------- 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: CharlieM
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 1:25pm
Good words from WillThrill and Techntrek. The OEM 4 light status panel is essentially junk. It is only really accurate if no lights light. That means your battery fell off on the way. The top light will light when the battery is being charged. Normally the third light will light with a fully charged battery, but it doesn't really mean you only have 2/3 or 3/4 charge. Don't be concerned. The best solution is a digital voltmeter or hydrometer as said. ------------- 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: David and Danette
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 3:35pm
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I think that most tow vehicles provide about 10 amps. to trailer does that sound about right. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: WillThrill
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 7:06pm
Generally, no. Most TVs are only pushing 5-8 amps to the trailer. This can obviously be increased with larger gauge wire, larger fuses, and the changing of any diodes, but honestly, the big reason people would do so is to run the refrigerator on electric power while towing. This can easily be accomplished by running the fridge on propane instead. ------------- "Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien 2014 Hood River 177 2005 GMC Envoy XL |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 7:46pm
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Sounds like propane as has been said is the best option for refrigerator. The trailer with everything else that's using amperage while towing 5-8 amps. doesn't leave much for refrigerator. The trailer battery would need to make up the remaining amps. needed. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 8:57pm
 ------------- 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: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 9:21pm
Essentially. With 12 gauge wire you get a nearly 10% voltage drop, or about 12.7 volts. That isn't enough to maintain a maintenance charge on the camper battery if it is fully charged to start. If it is low then the voltage crashes and your food gets warm. ------------- 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: WillThrill
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 12:54am
Many people report that their battery is drained in as little as five hours when running the refrigerator on battery power. ------------- "Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien 2014 Hood River 177 2005 GMC Envoy XL |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2015 at 8:08am
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Without the TV on, yes. It can be even quicker if the battery wasn't fully charged or is older.
I've been on all-day slogs through 100 degree Utah sun, LP mode not working and 12 gauge wiring on the TV, and watched the temperature go from 33 F (AC mode worked fine) to 80+. DC mode worked fine when the camper was plugged in and the battery was full when we left in the morning, and in good shape. After that trip I ran an additional 8 gauge wire in parallel with the 12 gauge line. I could have done it as a field fix but it just didn't occur to me that the TV wiring wasn't adequate - until I ran the numbers. 12 is just way too small and unfortunately it is what you get from vehicle manufacturers and aftermarket places like Uhaul. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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