Battery maintenance
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=7268
Printed Date: 27 Jun 2025 at 1:58am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Battery maintenance
Posted By: Will-yum
Subject: Battery maintenance
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2015 at 5:05pm
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i have heard differing opinions on how to deal with the 12v battery on the r-Pod when not in use. One dealer said to remove it and charge it manually about once a month. Another said to just keep the 30Amp cord with the 115V adapter on the end and keep it plugged up. This way, the onboard inverter would keep it at a full charge without overcharging. Anybody have any good advice? Thanks ------------- William |
Replies:
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2015 at 5:12pm
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Take it home and connect it to a trickle charger until you need it next season. Just check the water level every three months or so...... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CITK8S?keywords=trickle%20charger&qid=1449267123&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2 |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2015 at 5:47pm
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Several owners that can keep it plugged in do just that. I cannot so I remove the battery and keep it on a trickle charge that has a desulfinate maintenance function. Whatever you do, keep your battery charged, but not over charged. Some may disagree, but I believe the POD charger does a good job without over charging. Just make sure the water levels don't drop. Float chargers are specifically designed to do just that. Keep a good battery that has been charged, charged...in float if you will. The float charger keeps the batter from self discharging. This is important because batteries that suffer from a long term deep discharge, die.
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2015 at 8:52pm
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Depends what you mean by "not in use"... If the r-pod is sitting 2-3 weeks between camping trips, then just plug in the trailer and let the converter keep the battery topped-up. If the r-pod is sitting 3-4 months under a couple feet of snow, it'd probably be better to bring the battery into the basement and either leave it on a trickle charger, or charge it once a month.
------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: Robwid
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2015 at 12:44am
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------------- Rob 2012 HRE 177 2010 Toyota Tacoma |
Posted By: Robwid
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2015 at 1:13am
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The last four years I've simply plugged my pod in for an afternoon a couple of times a winter. The two 6 v batteries are still going strong. ------------- Rob 2012 HRE 177 2010 Toyota Tacoma |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2015 at 8:44pm
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If you leave it unplugged, make sure you disconnect the battery from the pod. Then reconnect it before charging overnight every 30 days. But, if you can leave it plugged in, that is easier. ------------- 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: bigcat
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 6:24pm
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Hello! doing some research on pod battery maintenance and came across this thread... my pod is in temp controlled indoor storage for the winter. From what I gather I can just leave it plugged in all the time and it won't damage the batteries. Is that correct? As you probably guessed, I'm total NewB to the RV game, and I appreciate any and all tips. Thanks! ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 7:31pm
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+1 on Teckntrek's advice. Our batteries were purchased March 2011 and are still going strong. We dry camp a lot and take them down to 33-40% SOC before switching to the other battery. They are group size 24 12v deep cycle. I store our pod in our old horse barn and take both batteries out and keep them in our unheated garage. I check the water level at least 2x/year while the pod is hibernating during the winter will trickle charge the batteries 2x during the winter. Once in November, after our last campout and then again in April. It usually takes 1 day/battery on 2 amp trickle charge to bring it to full.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 7:42pm
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+2
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 8:12pm
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Thanks! So i won't do any damage to the batteries by leaving them connected to my Pod hooked up to shore power in the storage unit, correct? ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 8:24pm
Correct. ------------- |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 8:31pm
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Thank you Furpod! That's much easier than running to the storage unit every month to charge up the batteries every month ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |
Posted By: bigcat
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 9:33pm
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Thanks jato! ------------- Big Cat 2017 179 |