R-pod Owners Forum : Dead batteries? http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Dead batteries? Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 21 May 2026 00:28:19 +0000 Tue, 26 Mar 2019 09:43:18 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=12690 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Dead batteries? : TV booster was off. Probably more... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=122079#122079 Author: wvanauken
Subject: 12690
Posted: 26 Mar 2019 at 9:43am

TV booster was off. Probably more on the .25 amp range. Still significant and can draw the battery down. Battery switch does the trick. Thanks. ]]> Tue, 26 Mar 2019 09:43:18 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=122079#122079 Dead batteries? : 0.25 is in the normal range ppl... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=122067#122067 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12690
Posted: 26 Mar 2019 at 5:46am

0.25 is in the normal range ppl here report. 0.5 is high. If its that much then something is probably still on somewhere. TV booster is one possible culprit.  ]]> Tue, 26 Mar 2019 05:46:07 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=122067#122067 Dead batteries? : I checked the for parasitic draw... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=122057#122057 Author: wvanauken
Subject: 12690
Posted: 25 Mar 2019 at 8:41pm

I checked the for parasitic draw on my trailer with everything turned off and it was about .25-.50 amps which is significant. The battery does supply voltage to the CO/propane detector and memory/display for the radio. Not sure what else could be drawing current. At any rate, I did what StephenH did and installed a battery switch. I also drilled holes in the battery box too for drainage.]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2019 20:41:16 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=122057#122057 Dead batteries? : I would check the switch. Not... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=122055#122055 Author: wvanauken
Subject: 12690
Posted: 25 Mar 2019 at 8:31pm

I would check the switch. Not sure what type of switches they are using on the tongue for the jack and the small led light switch next to it, but my LED switch failed and the dealer replaced it. Seems that there is a potential for moisture contamination on the front of these when pulling in the rain. I also had moisture contamination in the front oval work light. The dealer replaced this also. ]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2019 20:31:20 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=122055#122055 Dead batteries? : The battery will still self discharge... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121990#121990 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12690
Posted: 24 Mar 2019 at 2:19pm

The battery will still self discharge and stratify when disconnected over a period of time which depends on how warm or cold it is where you are. If its warm as short as a few weeks, if cold as long as a few months.  So, best bet is to leave it connected to the charger or a solar module/charge controller if you can, or remove it and put it on a trickle charger. ]]> Sun, 24 Mar 2019 14:19:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121990#121990 Dead batteries? : As far as the battery draining... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121987#121987 Author: Shane
Subject: 12690
Posted: 24 Mar 2019 at 2:12pm

As far as the battery draining after you let it sit for a week or two I would add a battery disconnect like I have, that way you can disconnect the battery so it will not drain. But make sure you turn the disconnect back on so that way when you hook you tow vehicle it will charge the batteries.]]> Sun, 24 Mar 2019 14:12:27 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121987#121987 Dead batteries? : Thanks everyone for your helpful... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121969#121969 Author: E&JOlson
Subject: 12690
Posted: 24 Mar 2019 at 9:07am

Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions.
I will try to clean the battery terminals and the power jack connections to the hitch frame. Still hoping I don't have to replace the batteries. ]]> Sun, 24 Mar 2019 09:07:16 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121969#121969 Dead batteries? : If the ground turns out to be... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121957#121957 Author: Jholler
Subject: 12690
Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 8:29pm

If the ground turns out to be the problem, a short 10ga wire with ring terminals run from a mounting bolt to the propane tray hold down bolt will provide a solid ground.]]> Sat, 23 Mar 2019 20:29:31 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121957#121957 Dead batteries? : +1 to Jholler. Check the bolts... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121949#121949 Author: StephenH
Subject: 12690
Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 7:34pm

+1 to Jholler. Check the bolts for the jack as they serve as the ground. If there is corrosion, there is no connection and the jack won't work.

As for the battery boxes, drill a couple of 1/4" holes in the bottom of the battery box. I did that the first time I found water in there. If water drains, there is no way for it to accidentally flood the battery if a cell cap is loose. Also, I agree with an above comment about disconnecting the battery if it is not being used and the RPod is not plugged in. I installed a battery cut-off switch (see my mods for picture) for this purpose. Since my RPod sits in our driveway plugged in when we are home, the only time it gets used is when I drop it off for service where it won't be plugged in.
]]> Sat, 23 Mar 2019 19:34:42 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121949#121949 Dead batteries? : There also may be corrosion on... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121947#121947 Author: Jholler
Subject: 12690
Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 4:02pm

There also may be corrosion on the bolts mounting the jack to the tongue. That's where it's grounded, so it would explain. The jack not working.]]> Sat, 23 Mar 2019 16:02:00 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121947#121947 Dead batteries? : If you hook up your bargman connector,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121945#121945 Author: mjlrpod
Subject: 12690
Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 2:38pm

If you hook up your bargman connector, your power jack should work even if you have no battery at all. Try hooking up and if it doesnt work, the problem is the jack.]]> Sat, 23 Mar 2019 14:38:07 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121945#121945 Dead batteries? : I checked the fuse first thing... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121941#121941 Author: E&JOlson
Subject: 12690
Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 11:59am

I checked the fuse first thing as it has “blown” before when using the jack. I had the Pod on shore power (120v) all winter.
I put the batteries on a charger and they are reading okay. Still no response from the jack. ]]> Sat, 23 Mar 2019 11:59:54 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121941#121941 Dead batteries? : There is an inline fuse on the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121917#121917 Author: Jholler
Subject: 12690
Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 8:45pm

There is an inline fuse on the power wire for the jack, check that.]]> Fri, 22 Mar 2019 20:45:14 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121917#121917 Dead batteries? : Originally posted by E&JOlsonOver... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121916#121916 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 12690
Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 8:38pm

Originally posted by E&JOlson

Over the winter, my battery boxes (two 6 volt batteries in series) filled with rainwater. Now I can't get my power jack to operate. After recharging the batteries, other 12 volt accessories (bathroom fan) are operating. Any suggestions for getting the power jack working again?

Check the cable connections on both ends.  Take them off, clean them with a file or wire brush, etc., and try again.

TT
]]> Fri, 22 Mar 2019 20:38:33 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121916#121916 Dead batteries? : E&JOlson, The battery boxes... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121914#121914 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12690
Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 7:27pm

E&JOlson, The battery boxes filling with water won't hurt anything unless the battery tops were flooded. If your batteries weren't left discharged for a long period they ought to be fine. If you leave the batteries on shore power for awhile and they show full charge and the jack still won't work then I'd suspect the jack is the problem not the battery. 

Raven728, sometimes tow vehicle charging can be pretty limited. Be sure your electrical loads are all off especially your fridge, and try charging your battery on shore power for a day or so to see if you can get it to indicate full charge,  If not then it is probably toast. 
]]> Fri, 22 Mar 2019 19:27:59 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121914#121914 Dead batteries? : If I am leaving the pod sit for... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121913#121913 Author: jato
Subject: 12690
Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 7:13pm

If I am leaving the pod sit for more than 1 week I disconnect the battery (s) otherwise phantom draws will continually drain them, even more so during the colder winter months.  Get a hydrometer and see what your specific gravity reads.  Fully charged and you should read 1.275.  If you read 1.225 or below you are discharged and need to charge.  Best way is to trickle charge with 2 amp charger or something close to that range.]]> Fri, 22 Mar 2019 19:13:15 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121913#121913 Dead batteries? : I’m curious what others have... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121911#121911 Author: Raven729
Subject: 12690
Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 6:39pm

I’m curious what others have ran into. I had my 2018 180 stores for a month and the battery was dead. The power jack would t work. Thank god for the manual option. Even now after driving for almost 3 hours the battery reads 1/3.   Seems odd. ]]> Fri, 22 Mar 2019 18:39:53 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121911#121911 Dead batteries? : Over the winter, my battery boxes... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121908#121908 Author: E&JOlson
Subject: 12690
Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 6:05pm

Over the winter, my battery boxes (two 6 volt batteries in series) filled with rainwater. Now I can't get my power jack to operate. After recharging the batteries, other 12 volt accessories (bathroom fan) are operating. Any suggestions for getting the power jack working again?]]> Fri, 22 Mar 2019 18:05:20 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12690&PID=121908#121908