R-pod Owners Forum : Battery Maintenance? http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Battery Maintenance? Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 21 May 2026 07:44:28 +0000 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 18:42:12 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=13493 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Battery Maintenance? : Originally posted by... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130542#130542 Author: RoverPod
Subject: 13493
Posted: 22 Apr 2020 at 6:42pm

Originally posted by StephenH

Disconnect from shore power is not needed if you go to your power panel and turn off the converter (on mine, it is the bottom circuit breaker). If you are not using metal when working around the batteries, you don't necessarily need to disconnect the cables unless you need to do so for access to the cell covers.

Be sure to use distilled water when adding to your battery. That way, you don't introduce contaminants to the electrolyte.

Originally posted by offgrid

You don't need to disconnect or shut down anything when you check your water levels. `The battery will be at around 13V whether you disconnect or not. There is no shock hazard at that voltage, you can touch the battery + terminal with one hand and the - with the other hand and not feel a thing. But, as StephenH says, don't ever short out the battery + terminal to either the - or to the trailer frame with anything metallic as that would cause high current to flow and so creates a risk of burns and fires to occur. 

Originally posted by furpod

We are plugged in 24/7. I check water levels about every 3 months. I don't disconnect or turn off anything. I think I will dewinterize this week, just because it feels good to do so.. 4 trips cancelled so far.. but such is life. But, when I dewinterize, and sanitize tanks and plumbing, I will check the batteries. and top them off as/if needed.


Thanks!
]]> Wed, 22 Apr 2020 18:42:12 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130542#130542 Battery Maintenance? : We are plugged in 24/7. I check... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130530#130530 Author: furpod
Subject: 13493
Posted: 22 Apr 2020 at 10:40am

We are plugged in 24/7. I check water levels about every 3 months. I don't disconnect or turn off anything. I think I will dewinterize this week, just because it feels good to do so.. 4 trips cancelled so far.. but such is life. But, when I dewinterize, and sanitize tanks and plumbing, I will check the batteries. and top them off as/if needed.
]]> Wed, 22 Apr 2020 10:40:50 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130530#130530 Battery Maintenance? : You don't need to disconnect... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130512#130512 Author: offgrid
Subject: 13493
Posted: 21 Apr 2020 at 6:35pm

You don't need to disconnect or shut down anything when you check your water levels. `The battery will be at around 13V whether you disconnect or not. There is no shock hazard at that voltage, you can touch the battery + terminal with one hand and the - with the other hand and not feel a thing. But, as StephenH says, don't ever short out the battery + terminal to either the - or to the trailer frame with anything metallic as that would cause high current to flow and so creates a risk of burns and fires to occur. ]]> Tue, 21 Apr 2020 18:35:46 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130512#130512 Battery Maintenance? : Disconnect from shore power is... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130510#130510 Author: StephenH
Subject: 13493
Posted: 21 Apr 2020 at 5:07pm

Disconnect from shore power is not needed if you go to your power panel and turn off the converter (on mine, it is the bottom circuit breaker). If you are not using metal when working around the batteries, you don't necessarily need to disconnect the cables unless you need to do so for access to the cell covers.

Be sure to use distilled water when adding to your battery. That way, you don't introduce contaminants to the electrolyte.
]]> Tue, 21 Apr 2020 17:07:49 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130510#130510 Battery Maintenance? : Do you need to 1) disconnect the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130509#130509 Author: RoverPod
Subject: 13493
Posted: 21 Apr 2020 at 4:56pm

Do you need to 1) disconnect the shore power when you check the water levels and 2) disconnect the battery cables when you check?]]> Tue, 21 Apr 2020 16:56:37 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130509#130509 Battery Maintenance? : +1 to mcarter. Check water level... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130500#130500 Author: offgrid
Subject: 13493
Posted: 21 Apr 2020 at 8:09am

+1 to mcarter. Check water level at least monthly to start with if leaving the batteries on a charger.  There are so many variables (battery size and chemistry details, temperature, charger settings and whether the charger has been powered down resulting in a reset) that its not a one size fits all question, and its not worth exposing the plates due to lack of watering. Once you get an idea how your system performs you can cut back on watering checks if you want to. ]]> Tue, 21 Apr 2020 08:09:03 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130500#130500 Battery Maintenance? : Originally posted by OlddawgsruleSame... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130494#130494 Author: StephenH
Subject: 13493
Posted: 20 Apr 2020 at 7:20pm

Originally posted by Olddawgsrule

Same basic principle here, every 3 months for water level. I keep my charged with solar. I do go a bit further and check voltage weekly. I also tend to run the batt's down a bit once a month. Just me and what I do. My trade-in batts for these new ones where close to the age of the salesperson selling them to me.. LOL

I'll have to learn a whole new way once the lithium is installed. That will come in the house for the winter and be a UPS as required. 
Use of them as an UPS is a good way to make use of them during the winter months. Mine is installed and is going to stay in the RPod. If it were on the tongue, I might think differently, but it is safely ensconced inside so there it will stay.

If there is a cut-off switch, the LiFePO4 battery can go for a year or more since the self-discharge rate is so low (~2% / month). The only limitation is not charging it below 32F.  This is what the specifications for the ExpertPower battery I purchased say:

Charging: 32°F to 140°F

Discharging: -4°F to 140°F


]]> Mon, 20 Apr 2020 19:20:36 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130494#130494 Battery Maintenance? : I have the original battery in... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130491#130491 Author: mcarter
Subject: 13493
Posted: 20 Apr 2020 at 6:21pm

I have the original battery in my 2015 178. It is in the box, with 120 power applied from outlet to trailer, so converter is maintaining it. I check the water levels each and every month, and add acid/water when required.]]> Mon, 20 Apr 2020 18:21:12 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130491#130491 Battery Maintenance? : I normally check mine every two... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130490#130490 Author: jato
Subject: 13493
Posted: 20 Apr 2020 at 5:49pm

I normally check mine every two months except during the winter here in northern Michigan.  In November both batteries (12v. Interstate, deep cycle, group size 24) get pulled out of the 177.  They are placed on the concrete floor in our unheated garage.  Before charging I check for electrolyte levels and clean the top of the battery with baking soda and rinse off.  They are then given a trickle charge of 2 amps from 24-36 hours or until fully charged.  They then sit in hibernation until the following May when I repeat the process and then re-install in the 177.  Batteries are 9+ years old, we boondock a lot so the batteries are used a lot, they have been very dependable over the years.  Am curious to see how long these will last.]]> Mon, 20 Apr 2020 17:49:08 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130490#130490 Battery Maintenance? : Thanks for the info. That is what... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130487#130487 Author: TearlessTom
Subject: 13493
Posted: 20 Apr 2020 at 3:23pm

Thanks for the info. That is what I was looking for.

 I do let them run down from time to time as I have to borrow the extension cord that it is hooked to shore power with for other yard work duties and often forget to plug it back in until I hear it beeping.

   Hopefully they will be ok but I fear the worse.  I will check Wednesday when I am off.  
]]> Mon, 20 Apr 2020 15:23:57 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130487#130487 Battery Maintenance? : Same basic principle here, every... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130485#130485 Author: Olddawgsrule
Subject: 13493
Posted: 20 Apr 2020 at 2:55pm

Same basic principle here, every 3 months for water level. I keep my charged with solar. I do go a bit further and check voltage weekly. I also tend to run the batt's down a bit once a month. Just me and what I do. My trade-in batts for these new ones where close to the age of the salesperson selling them to me.. LOL

I'll have to learn a whole new way once the lithium is installed. That will come in the house for the winter and be a UPS as required. 
]]> Mon, 20 Apr 2020 14:55:23 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130485#130485 Battery Maintenance? : Unfortunately, the problem can... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130484#130484 Author: StephenH
Subject: 13493
Posted: 20 Apr 2020 at 2:38pm

Unfortunately, the problem can cascade if ignored. The low cell lowers the voltage and the charger thinks it needs to jump to bulk charge mode which causes more heat and evaporation. I'm sorry your boat batteries had the problem. However, you may be okay with the RPod. I've gone for 3-6 months without checking and never got below the top of the plates. however, it is best to check at least once every 3 months, more frequently if you notice them being low.]]> Mon, 20 Apr 2020 14:38:31 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130484#130484 Battery Maintenance? : Probably a silly question but... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130482#130482 Author: TearlessTom
Subject: 13493
Posted: 20 Apr 2020 at 1:39pm

Probably a silly question but I am at work and cant go check for myself for a few days.  

How often should I check the water in my batteries if left hooked to shore power when at home.???

I ask this because I had deep cycle batteries in my boat which unfortunately has been sitting for way too long due to engine issues.   I had them on the built in charger but all three of them were almost completely dry of water when I went to try to prepare it for use this spring ... 

Is it just evaporation or the constant charging that is drying th e batteries up.

regardless I now have 3 dead very expensive batteries and poss another on the camper .

 
]]> Mon, 20 Apr 2020 13:39:58 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13493&PID=130482#130482