R-pod Owners Forum : Battery drain http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Warranty, Service and Recall Bulletins : Battery drain Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 01 May 2026 08:09:05 +0000 Wed, 30 Aug 2017 11:46:47 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=10372 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Battery drain : Originally posted by flacoWould... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98767#98767 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 10372
Posted: 30 Aug 2017 at 11:46am

Originally posted by flaco

Would a 100W panel be enough I wonder? Beer  
As long as the parasitic drain is less than what the 100W panel puts in on an average basis. The parasitic drain that I think is "typical" is only a couple of watts or so. So the daily drain with a 2-watt load is ~~ 48 watt-hours. If your solar panel puts in 100 watts for more than a 1/2 hour, you're good.]]> Wed, 30 Aug 2017 11:46:47 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98767#98767 Battery drain : Originally posted by Tars... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98766#98766 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 10372
Posted: 30 Aug 2017 at 11:44am

Originally posted by Tars Tarkas

Originally posted by twodues

On a wireless brake controller, the breakaway pin is wired directly to the hard wired control box mounted on the TT (the control box is wirelessly linked to the hand-held control module carried in your TV).

So how does the pin get pulled in the case of a trailer disconnect? The cable has to directly connected to the TV or it's useless.

TT
I'm guessing it might have been some sort of accident when disconnecting the trailer. IOW, pulling the hitch off, and missing the little detail of removing the trailer brake clip.]]> Wed, 30 Aug 2017 11:44:14 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98766#98766 Battery drain : Originally posted by twoduesOn... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98739#98739 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 10372
Posted: 29 Aug 2017 at 2:21pm

Originally posted by twodues

On a wireless brake controller, the breakaway pin is wired directly to the hard wired control box mounted on the TT (the control box is wirelessly linked to the hand-held control module carried in your TV).

So how does the pin get pulled in the case of a trailer disconnect? The cable has to directly connected to the TV or it's useless.

TT]]> Tue, 29 Aug 2017 14:21:47 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98739#98739 Battery drain : Bill J I like your idea of a switch... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98732#98732 Author: flaco
Subject: 10372
Posted: 29 Aug 2017 at 10:58am

Bill J I like your idea of a switch to completely turn everything off when not using the camper. We recently picked up a new 171. The dealer where we bought it near Elmira,NY replaced the battery before we picked it up because the original new battery died before we arrived. He did mention that there are those things like the CO detector which constantly draw power. We haven't taken it off shore power yet except to tow it home and haven't tried it real camping use yet. Newer cars exhibit some of this drainage as well but not to this extent. The only other solutions I can think of are keeping the RPod on shore power or at least a battery tender. Or a solar panel for which this RPod came equipped to connect to. Anybody try solar? Would a 100W panel be enough I wonder? Beer  ]]> Tue, 29 Aug 2017 10:58:42 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98732#98732 Battery drain : I am sure that it really does... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98203#98203 Author: Bill-J
Subject: 10372
Posted: 19 Aug 2017 at 11:38am

I am sure that it really does not void the warrenty but when dealing with idiots, logic and reason does not matter.  Because of ALL the problems we have had with the Rpod and the refusal of Forest River to make good their warrenty AND the dealers refusal to do anything on their own there comes a time when you just wash your hands of Forest River and PaulsboRV and continue life.

We have found a super company for service which we will stick with and now can put the trash behind us and enjoy the Rpod.... guess it goes without saying, however, that for a long time there will always be the niggle in the back of your mind wondering what will happen next.
]]> Sat, 19 Aug 2017 11:38:22 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98203#98203 Battery drain : +1 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98201#98201 Author: Leo B
Subject: 10372
Posted: 19 Aug 2017 at 11:22am

+1]]> Sat, 19 Aug 2017 11:22:57 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98201#98201 Battery drain : Again, that service manager is... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98200#98200 Author: furpod
Subject: 10372
Posted: 19 Aug 2017 at 10:58am

Again, that service manager is an idiot. Feel free to point him the the Magnuson-Moss Act. Unless he/they can PROVE a mod you did caused the EXACT failure later, they are REQUIRED by LAW to honor the warranty terms. ]]> Sat, 19 Aug 2017 10:58:04 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98200#98200 Battery drain : Had the same problem. Finally... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98186#98186 Author: Bill-J
Subject: 10372
Posted: 18 Aug 2017 at 5:31pm

Had the same problem.  Finally traced it to 2 things.  #1 is the frig.  It has a draw all the time, on or off.  Apparently it is power to the control board so when you do turn it on it will function.  #2 and the big one is the CO alarm.  It is on ALL the time that the battery is connected.

I installed a marine battery switch under the seat with the inverter in it with the control where it is available where you enter the coach.  

The battery wire comes in under the seat (where all the sawdust, wire ends, wood chips, and trash from manufacturing are stored) and goes to an inline breaker.  This breaker has 2 wires attached to the battery side and 1 on the other.  The smaller second wire on the input side is the one going to the CO sensor and alarm and this is why you cannot turn it off by pulling fuses, etc.  The single  heavy wire on the opposite side goes into the 12v power panel.

What I did was relocate the wire from the battery to the added switch, then a wire of the same gauge going back to where the battery wire was attached to the breaker.  This allows you to turn EVERYTHING off when you put the new switch to OFF.... CO sensor and frig.

WARNING........ I was told by the service manager of PaulsboRV that by adding this in-line switch I had completely voided the factory warranty on the electrical system....  But then I consider ANYTHING that ANYONE from PaulsboRV to be totally BS which doesn't bother me as I have gotten no support from them on anything nor from Forest River and have washed my hands of them both.... Hope your experience has been better than mine.  

Good luck.
]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2017 17:31:56 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=98186#98186 Battery drain : Good job twodues. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97362#97362 Author: mcarter
Subject: 10372
Posted: 02 Aug 2017 at 4:05pm

Good job twodues.]]> Wed, 02 Aug 2017 16:05:56 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97362#97362 Battery drain : On a wireless brake controller,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97337#97337 Author: twodues
Subject: 10372
Posted: 02 Aug 2017 at 9:55am

On a wireless brake controller, the breakaway pin is wired directly to the hard wired control box mounted on the TT (the control box is wirelessly linked to the hand-held control module carried in your TV).]]> Wed, 02 Aug 2017 09:55:02 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97337#97337 Battery drain : Originally posted by twoduesThanks... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97336#97336 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 10372
Posted: 02 Aug 2017 at 9:35am

Originally posted by twodues

Thanks to all who provided input. It was the wireless brake controller. Removal of breakaway pin when disconnecting TV! Important detail that should have been mentioned at time of purchase.

A little explanation please. The wireless controller and the breakaway pin are totally independent. The pin should never require removal, either connected or disconnected from the TV. It is only pulled during a real breakaway or for test purposes. Therefore it would not require a mention in connection with the controller at purchase. Please explain.
]]> Wed, 02 Aug 2017 09:35:55 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97336#97336 Battery drain : Thanks to all who provided input.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97332#97332 Author: twodues
Subject: 10372
Posted: 02 Aug 2017 at 8:28am

Thanks to all who provided input. It was the wireless brake controller. Removal of breakaway pin when disconnecting TV! Important detail that should have been mentioned at time of purchase.]]> Wed, 02 Aug 2017 08:28:31 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97332#97332 Battery drain : Time to troubleshoot my friend.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97193#97193 Author: mcarter
Subject: 10372
Posted: 30 Jul 2017 at 7:54pm

Time to troubleshoot my friend.]]> Sun, 30 Jul 2017 19:54:35 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97193#97193 Battery drain : All logical suggestions. I've... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97182#97182 Author: twodues
Subject: 10372
Posted: 30 Jul 2017 at 7:27pm

All logical suggestions. I've tried them to no avail before posting the initial thread. ]]> Sun, 30 Jul 2017 19:27:03 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97182#97182 Battery drain : Originally posted by twoduesCurrent... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97149#97149 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 10372
Posted: 29 Jul 2017 at 10:56pm

Originally posted by twodues

Current drain is 7amps at the battery. No current measured at each individual 12v circuit. Bad controller?

Seven Amps is in the ballpark for two brake magnets and they do not go through the fuse panel. If the emergency brake pin is pulled or the switch is defective you can see this much drain BUT you will certainly know something is amiss when you try to move the Pod.
]]> Sat, 29 Jul 2017 22:56:40 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97149#97149 Battery drain : Experience can be a harsh teacher.I... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97146#97146 Author: StephenH
Subject: 10372
Posted: 29 Jul 2017 at 8:29pm

Experience can be a harsh teacher.
I would also go with pulling fuses one at a time and seeing if the drain is on one of the circuits. The brake cable is something I would not have thought of but it makes sense. Also, check the TV antenna booster. That is an easy one to miss. Make sure it is off.
]]> Sat, 29 Jul 2017 20:29:37 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97146#97146 Battery drain : I got busted on that break-away... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97141#97141 Author: mcarter
Subject: 10372
Posted: 29 Jul 2017 at 7:01pm

I got busted on that break-away switch once. Guess I inadvertently pulled it disconnecting TT.]]> Sat, 29 Jul 2017 19:01:04 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97141#97141 Battery drain : mcarter +1 good call!!! twodues... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97140#97140 Author: ToolmanJohn
Subject: 10372
Posted: 29 Jul 2017 at 5:23pm

mcarter +1 good call!!! twodues you should check it out.

I was thinking of some kind of ground fault, with a screw having been put through one of the positive supply wires, because the propane detector (hard wired) takes a week or more to kill a 12 volt. But the idea that the breakaway switch is somehow responsible is a good idea.
]]> Sat, 29 Jul 2017 17:23:41 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97140#97140 Battery drain : Just for grins I would make sure... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97131#97131 Author: mcarter
Subject: 10372
Posted: 29 Jul 2017 at 9:46am

Just for grins I would make sure your ebrake circuit is still in place and pin hasn't been pulled, that ebrake works off the battery.]]> Sat, 29 Jul 2017 09:46:48 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97131#97131 Battery drain : Try pulling the two high current... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97128#97128 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 10372
Posted: 29 Jul 2017 at 8:08am

Try pulling the two high current battery reversal fuses. This will disconnect the converter from the battery and power panel. If removing these fuses does not interrupt the drain look to the slide mechanism or the power tongue jack if you have one. These devices don't go through the fuse panel. ]]> Sat, 29 Jul 2017 08:08:41 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97128#97128 Battery drain : Originally posted by twoduesCurrent... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97116#97116 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 10372
Posted: 28 Jul 2017 at 8:21pm

Originally posted by twodues

Current drain is 7amps at the battery. No current measured at each individual 12v circuit. Bad controller?
7 amps?!?! Wow. I'm assuming that this is with everything turned off? I would start disconnecting circuits and/or devices until you find what's broken. ]]> Fri, 28 Jul 2017 20:21:00 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97116#97116 Battery drain : Current drain is 7amps at the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97115#97115 Author: twodues
Subject: 10372
Posted: 28 Jul 2017 at 8:17pm

Current drain is 7amps at the battery. No current measured at each individual 12v circuit. Bad controller?]]> Fri, 28 Jul 2017 20:17:49 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=97115#97115 Battery drain : +1 , I have a Craftsman DC clamp... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96811#96811 Author: mcarter
Subject: 10372
Posted: 22 Jul 2017 at 5:47pm

+1 , I have a Craftsman DC clamp om ammeter and multimeter. Works fine.]]> Sat, 22 Jul 2017 17:47:00 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96811#96811 Battery drain : DC clamp on ammeters are very... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96808#96808 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 10372
Posted: 22 Jul 2017 at 4:23pm

DC clamp on ammeters are very available, just not for bargain basement prices. Here's one I like: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-true-rms-ac-dc-clamp-ammeter/p-03473756000P?plpSellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1#]]> Sat, 22 Jul 2017 16:23:04 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96808#96808 Battery drain : Originally posted by Tars... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96794#96794 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 10372
Posted: 22 Jul 2017 at 12:07pm

Originally posted by Tars Tarkas

There definitely are DC clamp amp meters.  If you want DC you have to look for it, but a quick look at Amazon shows several.

TT
Yes, there are, but a standard one won't do DC unless it is built with a hall-effect sensor. Those are not typical, but they do exist.]]> Sat, 22 Jul 2017 12:07:51 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96794#96794 Battery drain : There definitely are DC clamp... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96793#96793 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 10372
Posted: 22 Jul 2017 at 11:54am

There definitely are DC clamp amp meters.  If you want DC you have to look for it, but a quick look at Amazon shows several.

TT
]]> Sat, 22 Jul 2017 11:54:06 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96793#96793 Battery drain : Originally posted by CharlieMThe... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96786#96786 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 10372
Posted: 22 Jul 2017 at 9:54am

Originally posted by CharlieM

The best way to find out what's happening is with a clamp on ammeter. If the residual drain is around 0.15A it's the CO detector in is not responsible for the battery discharge. If it's significantly more you just have to keep looking until you isolate the culprit. If you buy an ammeter be sure it measures DC Amps. 
IIRC, a clamp on ammeter is only for AC circuits. They will not work on DC circuits unless they are based on hall effect sensors. The simplest way is to open the circuit and insert an ammeter.]]> Sat, 22 Jul 2017 09:54:14 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96786#96786 Battery drain : The best way to find out what's... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96770#96770 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 10372
Posted: 21 Jul 2017 at 7:13pm

The best way to find out what's happening is with a clamp on ammeter. If the residual drain is around 0.15A it's the CO detector in is not responsible for the battery discharge. If it's significantly more you just have to keep looking until you isolate the culprit. If you buy an ammeter be sure it measures DC Amps. ]]> Fri, 21 Jul 2017 19:13:45 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96770#96770 Battery drain : Water heater is off - the switch... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96769#96769 Author: john in idaho
Subject: 10372
Posted: 21 Jul 2017 at 6:45pm

Water heater is off - the switch inside the outside panel?]]> Fri, 21 Jul 2017 18:45:26 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96769#96769 Battery drain : Originally posted by twoduesThe... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96757#96757 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 10372
Posted: 21 Jul 2017 at 11:05am

Originally posted by twodues

The battery integrity has been confirmed and is being charged with deep cycle charging removed from pod. Unfortunately, the process of elimination (by repeated sequential removal of each 12v fuse and install fully charged battery) did not reveal a specific circuit being the problem.
Do you know what the current drain is? 0.5 amp, 1 amp, 2 amp, etc.?]]> Fri, 21 Jul 2017 11:05:08 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10372&PID=96757#96757