Battery Charging
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Printed Date: 22 May 2025 at 4:20pm
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Topic: Battery Charging
Posted By: Bret
Subject: Battery Charging
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 12:06pm
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Hi - I just purchased a 2015 r pod 178 which came with dual batteries. Does any know how long the batteries need to charge when you use the electrical cable plugged in to the 120 V AC? I have charged the batteries for 12 hours and achieved a 2/3 charge, but after the trailer sits for a couple of days, with no electrical draw on the battery, the batteries are almost drained.
Thanks, Bret |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 12:26pm
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Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 178! There are several folks on the forum that run dual batteries. They should be able to assist you. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Pete Brayton
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 1:41pm
| The propane detector is always drawing power but, I don't think it would drain two batteries in a few days. I don't think the tank/battery monitor is a very good determiner of battery charge state or water levels for that matter from what I've read on this forum. Also, you might check to make sure all other power using devices are turned off like the tv antenna. I've placed an ammeter between the positive terminal of the battery and the disconnected positive battery cable to determine how much and if there is a current draw from various electrical devices on the camper, you could try that to see if something is still using power when everything else appears to be turned off. You might also get the batteries checked to see if they're still good. Have you placed a voltmeter across one of your batteries while your camper is plugged in to see if your converter is actually getting power to the batteries? Just a few suggestions that I hope might help. Hopefully others will provide some more ideas. Good luck! |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 2:21pm
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1. Shore power will keep the battery from discharging (trickle charge), but is not meant to recharge a low or dead battery. You need to fully charge them with a proper charger, then they should stay topped off when on 120v 2. I would either contact the dealer and have them check/replace or simply take them to a battery shop and have them test. These may be bad batteries from the dealer and you would need to work this out with them. 4. Depending on how discharged they are, it may take 24hrs (or more) to fully charge your batteries. I would charge the batteries individually (not as connected to the trailer). Again, this is using a proper battery charger. I use a NOCO Genius: http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G750-UltraSafe-Battery-Charger/dp/B004LX3AS6/ref=sr_1_12?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1456341536&sr=1-12&keywords=battery+tender (but you can use pretty much any brand you like). 5. If your batteries are connected to your trailer, there will always be a "phantom" drain from the CO2 detector etc. but should not drain your "fully" charged batteries in a couple of days if all other things are off. Also, one bad or low battery may drain the other when connected in series or parallel. Im sure others will chime in and correct anything I have misrepresented...... Happy Camping! |
Posted By: codycountry
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 3:08pm
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I've got twin batteries on my 2013 177. Winter time I charge them ~once a month overnight. They never fall below 3/4 full on the wall meter with that procedure, and those aren't new batteries. Like Pete said, check the little button for your antenna boost. It is easy to leave it on by accident. I left mine on and it would wear one battery down in a couple days, and both of them in a few days more. I'll bet that's what is going on with yours unless your batteries are shot. Good luck.
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 4:59pm
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Do not rely on the little 4 light panel for battery charge. It is notoriously inaccurate on all it's functions. The fourth light indicates the battery is being charged. It will drop back to three lights after a time when you disconnect the charging source. The best indicator is specific gravity. The next best method is a digital volt meter after the batteries have been resting for a few hours.
------------- 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: codycountry
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 6:23pm
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Strange, my four light display shows when fully charged with all four lights on for a week or more after I charge the batteries.
It does not drop back to three lights unless I power something up for use and run awhile, or the batteries discharge over time. I gave up using a hydrometer when I graduated from college.
It reminds me too much of chemistry class. Hope you are safe and well there in NW Florida Charlie. Some bad weather brewing there the last couple days. Flew over your area yesterday on the way home from Daytona and it wasn't looking good down there. Tie your Rpod down and keep your head low.  |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 7:42pm
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Not much to add to the great comments above. I have 5 year old batteries that are still in decent shape and since we normally camp where no electricity is available (national parks, national and or state forest campgrounds) the batteries get used a lot. I use a trickle charger for my batteries. Set at 2 amps it may take 2 - 2.5 days to bring to fully charge/ battery. Maybe I put more faith in the light display than I ought but when it shows I am discharged 2/3 I change over to the other battery. They receive a trickle charge before 'hibernation' in late October and then again in mid-March I will give them another trickle charge before getting ready for the camping season.
------------- 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: CharlieM
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 8:16pm
They seem to vary from unit to unit. Generally the fourth light is set to illuminate at 13+ volts, but experience is varied. BTW, we got lots of wind and rain here last night, but no damage. Tnx and Camp On! ------------- 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: furpod
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 8:40pm
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 8:41pm
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Make sure you disconnect the battery from the pod if you don't leave the pod plugged into AC power. The built-in charger will have no problem charging a low battery. ------------- 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: Bret
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2016 at 11:59pm
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Thanks for all of the input. Great forum! I purchased the Genius 3500 charger but not sure I am getting a full charge, even after multiple days of charging. Instructions say fully charged is indicated by green light being solid (not blinking) and other three buttons (25%, 50% and 75%) are off. Beast I can get is blinking green light and other three lights lit. I guess I will see how charged batteries are when I head out to camp. It sounds like you get some charging of the batteries while driving but not sure how much it is. Any good information from experience??
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Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2016 at 6:23am
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and just to confirm, disconnecting the battery means the negative terminal, correct? hogone
------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2016 at 9:36am
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See my post here on page 2 for why you should disconnect the negative terminal: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7546&PN=2&title=battery-disconnect - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7546&PN=2&title=battery-disconnect ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |