R-pod Owners Forum : Question about the battery draw http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Warranty, Service and Recall Bulletins : Question about the battery draw Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 01 May 2026 08:13:36 +0000 Fri, 27 Apr 2018 06:36:14 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=11358 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Question about the battery draw : Originally posted by DavMar Originally... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108257#108257 Author: Guests
Subject: 11358
Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 6:36am

Originally posted by DavMar


Originally posted by CharlieM


As for the FR 2 Amp estimate, that's similar to some presidential inauguration attendance claims. BS. Tongue 




Don't want to get political here but I have to say +1 on that statement which gave me a big chuckle!



Yes, let's not venture into political matters.

Rpod Owners Forum doesn't have 27 pages of rules/community standards. However, we do have 4 subject matters that we avoid - politics is one of them.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.



http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1&FID=5&PR=3&title=welcome-and-rules


]]> Fri, 27 Apr 2018 06:36:14 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108257#108257 Question about the battery draw : The remark was political as was... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108233#108233 Author: mcarter
Subject: 11358
Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 4:24pm

The remark was political as was your support for it. Has no place on this forum.]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2018 16:24:26 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108233#108233 Question about the battery draw : Originally posted by CharlieM As... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108224#108224 Author: DavMar
Subject: 11358
Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 3:33pm

Originally posted by CharlieM


As for the FR 2 Amp estimate, that's similar to some presidential inauguration attendance claims. BS. Tongue 


Don't want to get political here but I have to say +1 on that statement which gave me a big chuckle!

You, and others are also right that the normal draw should only be around . to .2A and that it should take at least a couple weeks to drain the battery.
]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2018 15:33:41 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108224#108224 Question about the battery draw : Originally posted by BerntyThanks... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108166#108166 Author: Olddawgsrule
Subject: 11358
Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 4:16pm

Originally posted by Bernty

Thanks all. What I was primarily curious about was what the normal draw on an R-pod was. I can't believe that 2 amp in any way can be normal and I think .4 amp measured at the battery with a multi meter in series with the battery, as in my case, can be right either. In any case, the first thing I did when realizing this draw was to install a cutoff switch and I use a BatteryMINDer Plus from Northern Tools to maintain the battery. That works fine but I still question the draw and that the fan in the converter start for a short time when connecting/disconnecting the battery. As soon as I get time and can bring the pod home I will start disconnecting items to see where the draw is. Again, thanks for the feedback.

Furpod is on with his math (and generous doing so). Yes at that draw it's gone has he says.

Now, I'm testing Lily right now (my new 182g) and have a meter installed to read draw over time. I find your 400ma as high. My 72hr read has a 240ma average draw. It' goes as low as 210ma & so far I've seen 280ma on the meter. Main statement is 72hr run and I have a 240ma average.
This is Pure 'Ghost' draw. Nothing is turned on, only onboard systems doing there thing.
400ma sounds to me that something is running that you're over-looking or something is running that shouldn't be.

Furpod askes (without outright asking) what size battered you have (maybe I missed this in a earlier message). Also, if you've drawn it down this deep before (important to battery condition), you're available amperage has been reduce drastically (again as Furpod states). 

I'm also on dual 6's. Greater AH, deeper duty cycle. 
]]> Wed, 25 Apr 2018 16:16:30 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108166#108166 Question about the battery draw : Thanks all. What I was primarily... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108149#108149 Author: Bernty
Subject: 11358
Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 10:23am

Thanks all. What I was primarily curious about was what the normal draw on an R-pod was. I can't believe that 2 amp in any way can be normal and I think .4 amp measured at the battery with a multi meter in series with the battery, as in my case, can be right either. In any case, the first thing I did when realizing this draw was to install a cutoff switch and I use a BatteryMINDer Plus from Northern Tools to maintain the battery. That works fine but I still question the draw and that the fan in the converter start for a short time when connecting/disconnecting the battery. As soon as I get time and can bring the pod home I will start disconnecting items to see where the draw is. Again, thanks for the feedback.
]]> Wed, 25 Apr 2018 10:23:20 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108149#108149 Question about the battery draw : Everyone AGREES it should last... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108146#108146 Author: furpod
Subject: 11358
Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 9:31am

Everyone AGREES it should last longer, but math is math. Well most of the time.. LOL

Systems issues are often very hard to help with long distance. We do what we can, but in the end, the list of options above covers what he can do to alleviate the problem he is having. Our Pod could sit 70 days or so before I got worried, it never did, but that was the math of it. I had a small parasitic load, and huge storage.
]]> Wed, 25 Apr 2018 09:31:39 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108146#108146 Question about the battery draw : Your dealer probably installed... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108145#108145 Author: StephenH
Subject: 11358
Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 9:28am

Your dealer probably installed an inexpensive group 24 12V battery. I purchased and brought with me 2 6V batteries when we picked ours up. Your battery likely has at best 70-80 AH. The dual-6V batteries (wired in series to give me 12V) give me 215 AH. If the newer 'Pods have more phantom draws from things like USB chargers, then a few days may be all you could expect, especially if the battery has already been discharged fully which may have damaged the capability to fully accept a charge.
Have you considered buying a battery charger that has a battery reconditioning function? I have two. One is a Stanley BC1509 which is a 15A charger with Battery Recondition function. I keep this one at home. The second one I purchased when our converter went bad and I needed to charge the batteries. I don't remember the brand and rating off the top of my head, but it also had the recondition function. It travels with us just in case.
]]> Wed, 25 Apr 2018 09:28:44 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108145#108145 Question about the battery draw : Agree with Bernty. Our pod goes... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108144#108144 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 11358
Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 9:21am

Agree with Bernty. Our pod goes at least a couple of weeks before I start to worry about SOC. Granted we have a pair of 12V batteries in parallel, but still.]]> Wed, 25 Apr 2018 09:21:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108144#108144 Question about the battery draw : If your pod is really pulling... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108143#108143 Author: furpod
Subject: 11358
Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 9:13am

If your pod is really pulling .4A and you have a standard, single group 24 battery in perfect health..

and.. lets say your not letting the battery go below 50% SOC, which is about 12.1v, and the point where damage starts.. giving you "about" 40aH to play with..

Then in 100 hours, you are at the tipping point of damage. A hair over 4 days.

Now if you have let your battery drop bellow 50% SOC, then it's damaged and you are going to have less then 40aH to begin with.

You can disconnect the battery, reduce parasitic loads, plug in when not in use, or add more 12v storage.
]]> Wed, 25 Apr 2018 09:13:35 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108143#108143 Question about the battery draw : I agree but it should last more... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108138#108138 Author: Bernty
Subject: 11358
Posted: 25 Apr 2018 at 8:18am

I agree but it should last more than a few days]]> Wed, 25 Apr 2018 08:18:50 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108138#108138 Question about the battery draw : Regardless of exactly how many... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108122#108122 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 11358
Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 8:16pm

Regardless of exactly how many amps a parked Pod draws, it won't take very long to run the battery down.  I'm not sure trying to figure out what draws what is worth a lot of effort.  It may be interesting to know but regardless, in the end the solution is going to be to install a battery disconnect or keep the pod plugged into shore power or a trickle charger or something.

TT
]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2018 20:16:27 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108122#108122 Question about the battery draw : From my measurements the "normal"... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108071#108071 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 11358
Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 11:14am

From my measurements the "normal" draw is 0.1-0.2A. The major contributor is the CO detector but the electronic thermostat, any 12V USB chargers, the fridge control board if left on, and the antenna booster if left on will add to this. Note that clamp on ammeters can be very inaccurate at low levels so the OP's 0.4A may be OK. This can be checked with a good DVM in series with the battery.

As for the FR 2 Amp estimate, that's similar to some presidential inauguration attendance claims. BS. Tongue ]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2018 11:14:13 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108071#108071 Question about the battery draw : The converter doesn't draw... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108067#108067 Author: furpod
Subject: 11358
Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 10:40am

The converter doesn't draw any 12v. It can't. If tried to, it would blow the reverse polarity fuses as soon as 12v tried to go "the wrong way"..

What most, or at least many people miss is the antenna booster. But the OP seems to have checked that. The next thing to do, is start pulling fuses one at a time and checking which circuit has the draw.

At .4 amps, that's 9.6 amps a day.. a group 24 has around 30 usable amps.. 

I have seen parasitic draw reports this high before, but usually it's half of that or less. Our Pod drew .12 and we had dual GC2's.. so we could sit idle a good long time, still used a battery cutoff.

Many campers have one from the factory (battery cut off).. we are "2 outa 3"... so far. LOL
]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2018 10:40:03 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108067#108067 Question about the battery draw : If they are saying that a pod... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108060#108060 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 11358
Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 10:08am

If they are saying that a pod at rest is 2 amps, then they are blowing you off. I think .4 amps is a "bit" high, but it's not outrageous. Ours is a fraction of that, but we don't have the USB charger. I suppose the difference might be that, but I don't know.

There are only three or four things that could be causing your current drain at this point. (1)LP/CO sensor, (2)Stereo, (3)USB charger, and (4)Converter.

If I was really curious, I would put an ammeter on the battery, and disconnect/connect each of those devices to see who is drawing the most. If you disconnect those 4 things and you still have a drain, then you have a phantom. At that point I might start pulling fuses.
]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2018 10:08:25 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108060#108060 Question about the battery draw : I turned to the manufacture about... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108059#108059 Author: Bernty
Subject: 11358
Posted: 24 Apr 2018 at 9:50am

I turned to the manufacture about this issue but the answer I get can't be correct. Please read the chain of emails from the bottom and up between me and Kate Ebbole from Forest River. Obviously a draw from the battery can't be the fault of the battery so changing battery would not help. The latest statement from their engineering department that the pod in rest would draw 2 amp can't be correct either. At that draw a battery would not last any time. Love to hear your opinions....



Good morning,

                Our engineer states 0.4 amps at rest is great usually he counts it at 2.0 amps. Getting a battery disconnect is the way to go if you do not have solar panels to maintain the charge on your battery.

 

Thank you-
Kate Ebbole
Surveyor/Rpod
Warranty Claims/Service Dept.
(574) 642-3119 opt. 2
kebbole@forestriverinc.com

 

From: Ronnyk 
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2018 11:17 AM
To: Katherine Ebbole <KEbbole@forestriverinc.com>

Subject: RE: RV Site - r-pod - Contact Us: "Battery Drain"

 

Thanks but apparently something is getting lost in the translation. The list you gave me show what items draw when in use. I am not looking for that. I am looking for the amp/watt draw on the battery when NOT in use. As your warranty advisor pointed out the LP/CO detector will pull of the battery constantly, so does the radio in rest as well as the USB charger in rest (the TV amplifier is off). Apparently so does the converter. Neither has anything to do with the battery itself. I do have  a new Marine battery giving me close to 12.8 volt and at that voltage I have a draw of over .4 amp or basically about 5 watt.

5 watt is the same as an internal light in a car and we all know what happens if we leave that on for a week, the car will not start. As the R-Pod is not delivered with a battery shut-off switch I have to assume you should be able to park the pod more than a week without disconnection the battery so my question again is what is a normal draw from the battery in rest with everything that can be turned off is turned off? Please show this e mail to your technical person. He will understand.

 

P.S. I would contact my dealer but he is 200 miles away and before I know I have a problem, i.e. this is not normal, I would waste his time.

 

From: Katherine Ebbole [mailto:KEbbole@forestriverinc.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2018 9:48 AM

Subject: RE: RV Site - r-pod - Contact Us: "Battery Drain"

Good morning Ronny,

                I have looked in to this with my lead warranty advisor. Items like the refer and LP/CO detector will pull off of the battery constantly. I have attached photo of the amp draws for the RPOD.  Also, we do not provide batteries with the RPODS, the dealers do. I would consider contacting your dealer. We recommend you use a 12V marine battery. For dual batteries we recommend parallel set up.

Thank you-
Kate Ebbole
Surveyor/Rpod
Warranty Claims/Service Dept.
(574) 642-3119 opt. 2
kebbole@forestriverinc.com

From: Ronnyk
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 10:17 AM
To: Katherine Ebbole <KEbbole@forestriverinc.com>

Subject: RE: RV Site - r-pod - Contact Us: "Battery Drain"

It's not a battery issue. The problem is the draw from inside the camper. In simple terms, a 0.4+ amp draw is the same as leaving a light bulb on in a car. Give it a couple of days and you can't start the car. It's not the batteries fault. So my question again is, what is a normal draw from the battery in rest without the unit connected to 115 volt. With other word, could someone put an amp meter on an R-pod battery and let me know if this is normal before I take any further step. 

From: Katherine Ebbole [mailto:KEbbole@forestriverinc.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 6:58 AM

Subject: RE: RV Site - r-pod - Contact Us: "Battery Drain"

Hello,
The issue you are experiencing with the battery does not sound normal. Have you tried a different battery?

Thank you-
Kate Ebbole
Surveyor/Rpod
Warranty Claims/Service Dept.
(574) 642-3119 opt. 2
kebbole@forestriverinc.com

 Ronny Karlsson has sent the following message in regards to r-pod:

" I recently purchased a new R=Pod 173 from Empire RV & Marine in Liberty TX. I realized that if I park the unit without shore power the battery goes dead within a week even if everything is off (that I can turn off). Put an amp meter on the battery and get about .4 amp. Also, when I connect the battery the speakers click and the fan in the power unit start for a short time. Ended up putting a shut of switch on the battery but is this normal?

]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2018 09:50:40 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=108059#108059 Question about the battery draw : With the converter fuse pulled,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=106894#106894 Author: StephenH
Subject: 11358
Posted: 06 Apr 2018 at 8:58am

With the converter fuse pulled, what is the power draw? It might be worth your while to contact WFCO to ask about whether the converter should be drawing power when the shore power is disconnected.]]> Fri, 06 Apr 2018 08:58:45 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=106894#106894 Question about the battery draw : Thanks all for the input. I tend... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=106892#106892 Author: Bernty
Subject: 11358
Posted: 06 Apr 2018 at 8:46am

Thanks all for the input. I tend to agree with Glue Guy, .4 amp is high. Did some pulling of fuses to see where the draw was and it seams to be from the converter itself as if I disconnect everything but the converter that's what I get. Did not have time to look into it further but I will. Also, when connecting the battery I hear a click in the converter like a relay click. Will see what that is.]]> Fri, 06 Apr 2018 08:46:37 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=106892#106892 Question about the battery draw : It sounds a little bit high to... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=106881#106881 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 11358
Posted: 05 Apr 2018 at 5:47pm

It sounds a little bit high to me. I don't have the stereo on, nor do I have a USB port, and the current I measure at the batteries with the Rpod unplugged from shore power is 0.05 amps (50 milliamps). The clamp-on meter that I use has trouble with current that low, but it's an order of magnitude less than what you're seeing. I don't want to alarm you, because 0.4 amps (400 milliamps) is still fairly low, it's just not as low as I would expect.

When I plug in the Rpod, and the converter starts trickle charging, I measure 0.18 amps (180 milliamps) going into the battery.

So either the stereo and USB port draw a lot more than I expect, or there is something else pulling power on yours.
]]> Thu, 05 Apr 2018 17:47:03 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=106881#106881 Question about the battery draw : Yep, it&#039;s pretty normal.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=106879#106879 Author: lostagain
Subject: 11358
Posted: 05 Apr 2018 at 5:41pm

Yep, it's pretty normal.  All those things that run all the time draw power, just like the programs on your computer draw memory resources.  The battery switch will help a lot, but you'll still need to keep your battery topped off to ensure maximum life.  It's normal maintenance.]]> Thu, 05 Apr 2018 17:41:27 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=106879#106879 Question about the battery draw : Sounds normal to me. Installing... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=106875#106875 Author: StephenH
Subject: 11358
Posted: 05 Apr 2018 at 4:52pm

Sounds normal to me. Installing a battery cut-off switch was a smart move. Mine stays plugged in when it is at home in our driveway. However, I have a battery cut-off switch to use when needed such as when I need to take it and drop it off for a repair where it will not be plugged in.]]> Thu, 05 Apr 2018 16:52:22 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=106875#106875 Question about the battery draw : I recently purchased a new... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=106872#106872 Author: Bernty
Subject: 11358
Posted: 05 Apr 2018 at 3:31pm

I recently purchased a new R-Pod 173. I realized that if Ileft the pod without shore power for more than a week the battery goes down. Imeasured the amperage when everything I can turn off is off and I get a readingof about .4 amp. Is that normal? I realize the light on the radio, gas sensorand the USB is still on but I see no way of turning these off. I ended upinstalling a battery turn off switch but I still would like to know what isnormal.Ouch

]]> Thu, 05 Apr 2018 15:31:32 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358&PID=106872#106872