Dry Camping
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=9510
Printed Date: 28 Jun 2025 at 5:32am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Dry Camping
Posted By: bgrubbs
Subject: Dry Camping
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2017 at 10:14pm
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I'm totally new to trailer camping. I just got a 176 and I'll be picking it up on Friday. My question is can I run all electrical including the TV off just the battery? I know that I would need to be plugged in or use a generator to use the A/C. I assume I can always just crank up the truck to recharge the battery. Just want to check before I invest in a generator. Camping in the Northwest staying cool is usually not a problem. Thanks!! ------------- Bryan |
Replies:
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2017 at 10:20pm
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Yes everything except the AC and microwave will work off of the battery. It is best to run the refrigerator and water heater on propane unless you are plugged in to an outside power source. Make sure the dealer walks through all systems and answers all of your questions when you pick it up. enjoy your new Pod Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2017 at 11:58pm
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Most likely the telly is 110v too.
TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2017 at 7:43am
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While some pods have been delivered with 12v tv's, most are not. The DVD/CD/Radio will probably be 12v. A small 100 watt inverter will run the tv fine. You will probably have to run a 12v line to were you need it. If you plan to use your truck as a back up power source, use good jumper cables to top off the battery, not the Bargman connector (7-way). ------------- |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 10:13am
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Furpod, why not the the Bargman for a top off? We were in Zion all last week hooked up in a RV Park. Then on the way home we stopped off for two nights at 9-Mile Canyon and dry camped. When we got back from hiking day 1 we were down one led on the battery level. (I know, I'm adding a voltmeter to get an accurate measurement) I backed up the TV and plugged in for 30-45 min. After I was back at 4 led's. I measured my Bargman output and it was around 14 volts. Just curious. Thanks ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 10:24am
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Given the OEM 4 LED display is extremely inaccurate, it is also extremely misleading. The fourth light only means the battery is being charged, not that it is charged. The third light usually means the battery is fully charged, not that is is 3/4 charged. It is normal for a freshly charged battery to show three lights after the charger has been disconnected an hour or more. Get a good digital voltmeter and use it as close to the battery as practical. Most TVs are wired with #10 or even #12 wire on the charging circuit. It's really more of a maintaining than a charging capability; usually limited to about 10 Amps depending on the battery's state of charge. Using #4 copper jumper cables will deliver 30-40 Amps for a more rapid recharge. ------------- 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: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 1:00pm
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Thanks CharlieM! Good to know. Ordering digital voltmeter today. Thanks ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: Our pod
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 2:18pm
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Remember "PIE." We all like pie.
In electricity, though, it stands for "Power equals voltage times amperage." The equation is P=IE, where P is Poser, in Watts, I is amperage in amps (although milliamps is commonly used and a milliamp is one-thousandth of an amp), and E is the voltage (most often 12V for pods). Anyway, add up the power requirements, in Watts, of all the equipment you wish to have on at the same time. This will you to calculate how many amps you need. We all remember 60 W light bulbs. To run one of those on 12 V would draw 5 amps (60W = 12V x 5W). Compare this number of amps to whzat your battery can deliver. Read through the questions and answers on this forum and you can get a good basic understanding of R-Pod electricity, and other subjects. After all, smart people tow R-Pods. ------------- Life is good. |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 4:57pm
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Does anyone know how much power the water pump draws? I was camping without hook ups and drew my brand new 2x6v batteries down in about a day (so low the CO detector went into fault) and the only thing I can think of that might have used that much is possibly the water pump. We took two very quick "navy" showers and ran a couple of LED lights. Fridge on propane.
------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 5:42pm
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Just got my 179 and the TV is 120v. Will not work off the battery. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 7:57pm
What was the charge state of the batteries to begin with? Our dual 6v batteries lasted us a week no issues, 2 showers a day, etc etc. ------------- |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 10:12pm
I thought I was fully charged. This was last fall, so I'll have to do more testing this season. I have a voltmeter. ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2017 at 8:02am
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The water pump draws ~6A when running. Even 30 minutes of total pump operation would only be 3 AH. Most likely the battery was not fully charged. Unless it was plugged in overnight it wasn't fully charged.
------------- 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: TheBum
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2017 at 11:47am
It will if you add a 12V outlet and an inverter, or permanently wire in an inverter. The factory tv only pulls about 17W. |
Posted By: mtbmitch
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2017 at 1:21pm
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I would have your 2 batteries load tested. We dry camp and can go 6 days on a single battery(one size bigger than stock). Waterpump draws 7.5 amps per hour of use at max effort.
------------- enjoy the fresh air |