Electric questions
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=8466
Printed Date: 26 Jun 2025 at 3:30am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Electric questions
Posted By: Beachguysc
Subject: Electric questions
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 7:36pm
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We are new to the travel trailer world and have a 2016 182. We mostly plan on going to camp sites with electric, but hope to do some boondocking next spring. I understand the basics of propane and the difference between AC- DC. I understand that it would take a larger generator to run the AC than we care to buy at this point in our journey. But I do have some questions about the battery and charge. If we put the fridge on propane, and everything else on battery, we will basically just have lights and the Jensen radio pulling power I think. If I leave the car hooked up to our 7 pin and running for a couple hours here or there, would that be sufficient to keep the battery charged? I also have a 12 volt battery jumper/air compressor that I use on the boat or car when the battery gets low. If I hook this up to the Rv battery( not while the car is hooked up) , will it act as a second battery? Sort of like having two batteries? And my final question is about using a 1500 watt inverter. It is meant to be hooked to the car while running and has three 110 plugs to run small things like tv or computers. I originally bought it as a back up in case our power went out during a hurricane. A poor mans generator, I guess. Can I hook this inverter to the Rv battery while the Rv is hooked up to the 7 pin and getting some sort of charge? Or does it need to be hooked up directly to the car battery? Thanks for any help in understanding how these systems interact.
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Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 8:10pm
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If you are going to use the tow vehicle as a "generator", use jumper cables and not the 7 pin. A 1500watt inverter is pretty large, a smaller one would be better. The danger/issue with a 1500watt inverter on a single or even dual batteries @ 12v is it has the ability to pull a butt load of amps, more then a 12v lead acid system can sustain for any length of time. A 150watt inverter would run the loads you are asking about. ------------- |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 8:16pm
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+1
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Beachguysc
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2016 at 6:40am
| Thanks for the education. Glad to have this forum to learn things before I fry my system. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2016 at 9:14am
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I agree with the above comments. A 1500W inverter is way overkill and very difficult to deal with at 12V. On thinking about it I would not connect it to either battery when the seven pin is connected. The reason is the 1500W inverter can draw huge currents from the TV and TT batteries if the seven pin Bargman is connected and the typical TV wiring is only #10 or #12 wire. Those currents can fry that wire. Stay with 200W or less and connect directly to the TT battery.
------------- 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: richtruesdale
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2016 at 9:44pm
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Question about the A/C we just bought a 2014 17 something...(I don't remember) but we LOVE it. My question...I had it plugged in to a normal recep, ya know the standard 3 prong using an adapter. my A/C kept going on and off every 30 seconds. I figured that wasn't normal so turned it off. Do I really need to install a 30 breaker and recep. dedicated for the camper? for that not to happen.
or is something wrong with the A/C
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Posted By: WillThrill
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2016 at 9:49pm
If the breaker for the receptacle was flipped, the AC would not be able to turn itself back on, so that may not be the problem. Something might be wrong with the AC itself or your thermostat and would have a dealer check it out. And yes, if you want to run the AC on a normal basis, you need at least a 20 amp receptacle, and a 30 amp is better. Unless you're quite handy with electrical work, you'll need an electrician to do it for you.
------------- "Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien 2014 Hood River 177 2005 GMC Envoy XL |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 1:19am
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+1 on the posts to the original poster. As for richtrusdale, I agree that isn't normal but not an issue with your supply. You can run the pod's A/C on a 15 amp receptacle if there is nothing else on that circuit and you don't run anything else in the pod (lights are ok). ------------- 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: Jazz trumpet
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 8:37am
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Thanks Doug. Good to know I could run the AC on a 110v. 15 amp. If ever needed.
So that means my 2000W small camping generator can be used on dry camping trips at night withoutdamaging the AC? ------------- John and Marilyn 2016 Rpod 180 2001 Chevrolet Suburban |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 10:54am
Possibly, but probably not. Which generator is it? If it's 2000 PEAK or surge, sketchy at best. If it's 2000 steady load, then most probably. (but still maybe not) ------------- |
Posted By: Jazz trumpet
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 11:31am
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Thanks fur pods. I'll be safe. ------------- John and Marilyn 2016 Rpod 180 2001 Chevrolet Suburban |
Posted By: WillThrill
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 3:19pm
I tried running our Pod's AC, and nothing else, on a 15 amp circuit at our home, and nearly every time the compressor started, it flipped the breaker. When you can successfully run it or not, it's definitely borderline with only a 15 amp circuit. ------------- "Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien 2014 Hood River 177 2005 GMC Envoy XL |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 12:12am
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Could be a weak breaker. Also 2 different sizes of A/C have been used so yours may be larger and so on the edge especially if it is hot out. 2000 watt generator - take it to a higher altitude when it is 95 degrees out and it will loose a lot of its rated output. Plus the A/C will be harder to start because of the heat. Might work fine in your driveway at 70 F and 500 feet, but 5000 feet and 100+ (which we experienced on our current trip) and 2000 watts peak output won't cut it. This is one reason I upgraded to our current Honda which is rated 3000 watts peak. ------------- 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: Rustler
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 3:58pm
My 2016 Rpod 171 has a 20 amp circuit-breaker on the air conditioner circuit. That leads one to believe there may occasionally be currents in excess of 15 amps, but less than 20 amps. So a 15 amp shore power circuit would be marginal at best. Your experience bears this out.
------------- Russ 2009 Toyota RAV4 V6 w/ tow package 2016 Rpod 171 HRE |
Posted By: richtruesdale
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2016 at 5:21am
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Thank you everyone for your input. My fingers are crossed that I just need to provide more amps. I'm going to install a 30amp breaker and run some 10/2.
Wish me luck...if this doesn't take care of it I'll be back with more questions. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2016 at 9:08am
Nothing else on.. is a little hard to achieve.. The charger converter can draw 6-7A when it needs/wants. Most who turn everything off don't turn it off.. More then one owner has found that throwing that breaker fixes the problem.. ------------- |
Posted By: richtruesdale
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2016 at 3:42pm
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well today I finished installing a 30amp service dedicated for the camper. A/C works like a champ
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2016 at 9:51pm
Pics or it didn't happen.  It does make things easier when you get home from a camping trip and want to plug in quickly, or when you are ready to pre-cool the fridge and load up for a trip when it is 95 outside (so you can turn on the A/C). ------------- 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: richtruesdale
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2016 at 7:00pm
Posted By: richtruesdale
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2016 at 6:59pm
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2016 at 9:28pm
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It happened! ------------- 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: Jeffpugman
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2016 at 11:33am
| I have an electrician coming to install a 30 amp hookup for my 179. I assume we should go with the 110W line? At least I think that's what he asked me! If one of you electrical guys could give me advise on the specs, I would appreciate it. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2016 at 11:43am
YES. and VERIFY. before he leaves, that it is 120v. MANY a certified professional has done it wrong. Mostly because, for every 30A 120v outlet they install, they put in hundreds of 240V 30A outlets. Easy to forget. The circuit should have a single pole breaker. Should be on 10/2 wire. (usually orange colored romex) 1 hot, 1 neutral, 1 ground. ------------- |
Posted By: Grandpa Hiker
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2016 at 12:19pm
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Ditto what furpod said!! Get the electrician to show you the voltage with a volt meter. Also, make sure the cord plug on your Pod will fit into the outlet before the electrician leaves. ------------- Rob & Becky 2014 Ford Explorer 3.5 SOHC V6 2015 R-179 Pod aka Piddle Pod "Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain!!" |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2016 at 1:07pm
One small point: If you have a significant wire run from the breaker to the new outlet, like 50' or more, I'd recommend using #8AWG vs #10. It reduces voltage drop, doesn't cost much more, and keeps the A/C happier if you use it. ------------- 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: richtruesdale
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2016 at 3:10pm
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yep...10/2 for sure 30amp 125V RV Recep make sure it's on it's own 30amp breaker
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Posted By: Jeffpugman
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2016 at 7:54pm
| Thanks guys. Great advice that I will pass on to my electrician. |
Posted By: birderdiane526
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2016 at 9:24pm
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Great to hear your suggestion, Furpod, about using jumper cables versus the 7 pin. Thanks.
Question for you. We have a 12v flooded battery and there is water in it. Why does our battery not hold a charge? We charged to full with our solar and by night fall, we were down to one dot on the control panel (or 10.2v from 14.6v). We were away from the pod and therefore nothing was running other than the small draws of the detectors and fridge panel lights (fridge is on propane). We would appreciate any help. Thanks. ------------- Diane and Michael 2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE) 2007 Toyota Tundra BLOG:Podding in Paradise, birderdiane526.blogspot.com |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2016 at 8:21am
In what time frame did this draw down occur? a few hours, or a few days? or a few weeks? Either you have a bad battery, or more stuff on then you realize. To test the battery, bring it to full charge, then disconnect it. Let it sit for four hours, and check the voltage with a multimeter. ------------- |
Posted By: birderdiane526
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2016 at 1:22pm
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The draw down was over a few hours. We aren't using the air conditioner and hadn't used the lights. How much battery amperage is typically used by the fridge when we are on propane (we only keep the fridge on propane)? We will try your suggestion. Thanks. ------------- Diane and Michael 2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE) 2007 Toyota Tundra BLOG:Podding in Paradise, birderdiane526.blogspot.com |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2016 at 2:17pm
If you went down to 10v over a couple hours, either the fridge was on 12v, not gas, or.. well.. you have a bad battery. The a/c has no 12v function. When on gas, the fridge brains pull about .5A, so you should have a couple days before you reach 10v, assuming no other 12v stuff and a good battery. ------------- |
Posted By: birderdiane526
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2016 at 3:15pm
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Thanks Furpod! You rock! ------------- Diane and Michael 2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE) 2007 Toyota Tundra BLOG:Podding in Paradise, birderdiane526.blogspot.com |