R-pod Owners Forum : Battery Issue https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Battery Issue Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 21 May 2026 16:43:44 +0000 Fri, 19 Mar 2021 22:06:09 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=14469 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Battery Issue : Originally posted by offgridEven... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140942#140942 Author: Ben Herman
Subject: 14469
Posted: 19 Mar 2021 at 10:06pm

Originally posted by offgrid

Even if your pod bakes in the afternoon the battery won’t get up to that peak afternoon temp because it has so much thermal mass. It will probably settle out closer to the daily average temp, as long as it’s in the shade. Now if it is in direct sunlight that’s another story... In that case even just painting the battery box white would help a lot.

yes direct sun unfortunately - and no other way to orient the trailer in my driveway. i'll take your suggestion to paint the battery box white, time to break out the spray paint.
]]> Fri, 19 Mar 2021 22:06:09 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140942#140942 Battery Issue : Even if your pod bakes in the... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140897#140897 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14469
Posted: 18 Mar 2021 at 6:29am

Even if your pod bakes in the afternoon the battery won’t get up to that peak afternoon temp because it has so much thermal mass. It will probably settle out closer to the daily average temp, as long as it’s in the shade. Now if it is in direct sunlight that’s another story... In that case even just painting the battery box white would help a lot. ]]> Thu, 18 Mar 2021 06:29:03 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140897#140897 Battery Issue : By and large our weather in Western... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140894#140894 Author: Ben Herman
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 7:01pm

By and large our weather in Western CO is beautiful. Just so happens that my back driveway, where my Pod sits, is in direct south-facing high desert sun. So the Pod bakes. But it was high 50s an sunny here today,  we had a bit or  rain earlier in the week while Denver and the mountains got 2+ ft of snow. I  prefer going to the mountains to play rather than living in them.]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 19:01:09 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140894#140894 Battery Issue : Yessir! But look at it this... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140893#140893 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 6:53pm

Yessir!

But look at it this way, it could be worse. My family on my mother’s side are Yoopers from Ishpeming. Now that’s some cold country.

I like SWVA. 73 was the high here today. We get enough snow to know when it’s winter, and enough heat to know when it’s summer, without freezing or sweltering for months or everything turning brown all summer. Just my opinion....

]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 18:53:43 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140893#140893 Battery Issue : So there is one advantage to living... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140892#140892 Author: jato
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 4:23pm

So there is one advantage to living in northern Michigan where the sun goes in hibernation mode for 5 months and weather is oft times dreary and damp - longer battery lifeThumbs Up
]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 16:23:27 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140892#140892 Battery Issue : Heat accelerates almost all chemical... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140891#140891 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 4:13pm

Heat accelerates almost all chemical reactions, including corrosion rates. A rough rule of thumb is that reaction rate doubles for every 10 deg C (18F). So at 110F you are getting something around a 4x reduction in shelf life of a battery relative to what you’d get at 70.

But the temp effect on chemical reactions causes batteries to have more internal resistance when they’re cold, because batteries undergo a chemical reaction when they charge and discharge. So they produce less current at a given voltage and need higher voltages to charge properly when they’re cold. That’s why people think cold is bad for batteries.
]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 16:13:44 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140891#140891 Battery Issue : Originally posted by offgrid5... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140890#140890 Author: Ben Herman
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 3:49pm

Originally posted by offgrid

5 year lifetime is normal for a deep cycle battery, whether it gets cycled or not. Batteries have a shelf life, which is shortened by warm temperatures and effected by battery chemistry. The lead antimony alloy used in deep cycle battery plates shortens their shelf life but gives them more cycling ability.

Batteries also have a cycle life, and the number of available cycles depends on depth of discharge and on plate design and alloy. It’s a race to the finish line depending on whether cycle or shelf life is shorter. You can think of deep cycle batteries as optimized more for cycling than shelf life, so you wouldn’t want to use them if you didn’t do much cycling, like for example in a starting battery.

Bottom line is that 5 year old deep cycle batteries don’t owe you anything, time for a new one.

yes this makes sense. We have very hot summers here and the place where I park my trailer is in full sun. I'm sure the  ambient temperature is 110+ inside the battery box. I might consider pulling the battery and storing it in my garage after each use - only takes me 5 minutes to do so. I always thought cold was more damaging but I was wrong!

Thanks again for all of the assistance. All now working fine.
]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 15:49:35 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140890#140890 Battery Issue : 5 year lifetime is normal for... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140889#140889 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 3:35pm

5 year lifetime is normal for a deep cycle battery, whether it gets cycled or not. Batteries have a shelf life, which is shortened by warm temperatures and effected by battery chemistry. The lead antimony alloy used in deep cycle battery plates shortens their shelf life but gives them more cycling ability.

Batteries also have a cycle life, and the number of available cycles depends on depth of discharge and on plate design and alloy. It’s a race to the finish line depending on whether cycle or shelf life is shorter. You can think of deep cycle batteries as optimized more for cycling than shelf life, so you wouldn’t want to use them if you didn’t do much cycling, like for example in a starting battery.

Bottom line is that 5 year old deep cycle batteries don’t owe you anything, time for a new one. ]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 15:35:27 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140889#140889 Battery Issue : Yes, 5 year old battery, and... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140887#140887 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 3:15pm

Yes, 5 year old battery, and questionable charger.....if it was the CenTech brand from HF those things are JUNK. I would recommend you buy either a Samlex or Battery Tender or Marinco or NOCO charger...they are all decent quality.

Anyway, new battery, it should all be working now cuz it sounds like your RV converter unit is fine.
]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 15:15:57 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140887#140887 Battery Issue : Originally posted by jatoWhat... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140885#140885 Author: Ben Herman
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 1:10pm

Originally posted by jato

What did you find out, was one of the cells really low or was a load test given and just shown the battery to have failed the test?

With proper maintenance batteries can last quite a long time.  I have a pair of group size 24 Interstates that were built 12/2010 and 3/2011 and get used a lot - we usually boondock.  Big thing for us is not to draw down below 60% S.O.C. or 12.2v before charging again as well as keeping an eye on electrolyte levels and fill with distilled water when getting low.

Battery failed. I'm pretty careful about drawdown, I use a solar 100W panel to keep it charged up (we almost always have sun out here in CO). I think that the weak link may be a cheap Harbor Freight trickle  charger that I kept attached to it over the winter. Will get a better battery conditioner for next winter.
]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 13:10:02 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140885#140885 Battery Issue : What did you find out, was one... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140884#140884 Author: jato
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 12:16pm

What did you find out, was one of the cells really low or was a load test given and just shown the battery to have failed the test?

With proper maintenance batteries can last quite a long time.  I have a pair of group size 24 Interstates that were built 12/2010 and 3/2011 and get used a lot - we usually boondock.  Big thing for us is not to draw down below 60% S.O.C. or 12.2v before charging again as well as keeping an eye on electrolyte levels and fill with distilled water when getting low.
]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 12:16:15 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140884#140884 Battery Issue : Battery was toast, picked up a... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140883#140883 Author: Ben Herman
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 12:10pm

Battery was toast, picked up a new one and should be good to go. Thanks all for your help.]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 12:10:14 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140883#140883 Battery Issue : I disconnected shore power then... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140881#140881 Author: Ben Herman
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 10:53am

I disconnected shore power then used the battery to open the slider, voltage immediately dropped to 10 or less. So I've pulled the battery and will take it for a load test. I did this before seeing your most recent message, thanks for responding so quickly!

I got my dates mixed up, this battery actually was  put into service in 2016 so its not inconceivable that it would be gasping for breath...
]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 10:53:06 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140881#140881 Battery Issue : 13.7 means your converter is working.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140880#140880 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 10:49am

13.7 means your converter is working. Leave the battery disconnected for a couple hours so there’s no stray load on it then check the voltage again. ]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 10:49:50 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140880#140880 Battery Issue : Offgrid, on shore power the battery... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140879#140879 Author: Ben Herman
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 9:23am

Offgrid, on shore  power  the battery reads 13.7 V. I just pulled the shore power, I'll see what the battery reads in a few hours.  Its not hard to pull the battery so I'll take it down for a load test and see if that's the problem.]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 09:23:37 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140879#140879 Battery Issue : If you were on shore power for... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140876#140876 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14469
Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 6:46am

If you were on shore power for 4 days and your 12v stuff was fine then the converter (it’s not an inverter, which changes dc to ac) is probably ok. Doesn’t hurt to remove the battery and see if it will run the 12v loads without it though. What is the battery voltage while on shore power?

I agree with podwerkz, sounds like a shorted battery cell, each cell is providing about 2V so one being shorted would bring you down from around 12 to 10V. Very common failure mode. Either have someone load test it or if that’s not convenient put it on your charger. Voltage should go up to 13.5 or a bit higher. Leave it for a couple of days and then disconnect the charger. If it drops back to around 10V after a couple of hours the battery is toast.

If the charger won’t take it up to 13.5 or higher that could also indicate a bad cell but it could be the charger too. Try the charger on another battery to be sure it actually works. What current (amp) rating does it have?

Sometimes it happens, a typical deep cycle battery lifetime is around 5 years, but they can fail sooner. You might had a little prorated warranty left on it you could recover.]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2021 06:46:22 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140876#140876 Battery Issue : Not sure podwerks - its a pretty... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140872#140872 Author: Ben Herman
Subject: 14469
Posted: 16 Mar 2021 at 10:27pm

Not sure podwerks - its a pretty inexpensive Harbor Freight unit, so I don't think its old school but probably not top tier either. I'm thinking that I'll pull the battery and see if shore power will run the 12v stuff in the trailer. If it wont power it, then I'm thinking it is  probably the power converter. But I'm no 12v electrical genius, so I will have the battery tested also.]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2021 22:27:07 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140872#140872 Battery Issue : Initial thought is that you... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140871#140871 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 14469
Posted: 16 Mar 2021 at 10:23pm

Initial thought is that you may have a shorted cell in the battery. 

Was your 'trickle charger' an old school trickle charger or was it a modern 'smart charger' or maintenance
 charger?

I would take the battery to an auto parts store and have them load test it. 
]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2021 22:23:07 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140871#140871 Battery Issue : Thx Jato this is helpful and a... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140870#140870 Author: Ben Herman
Subject: 14469
Posted: 16 Mar 2021 at 10:08pm

Thx Jato this is helpful and a good  start. I will check tomorrow and see if I hear any fan noise from the inverter. Is that the only litmus test to see if a unit is working?

I have a battery tester around somewhere and will see  if the cells are all testing ok.
]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2021 22:08:12 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140870#140870 Battery Issue : Do you hear the fan on the converter... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140865#140865 Author: jato
Subject: 14469
Posted: 16 Mar 2021 at 8:15pm

Do you hear the fan on the converter running when plugged into shore power?  If not I would suspect the converter may be toast.  Also, check the plug going into the emergency brake box located on your a-frame.  If that has pulled out it will draw your battery down rather quickly. 

Are you able to individually check the specific gravity of each cell?  That would also be a good indicator as to whether it is a battery or trailer issue.
]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2021 20:15:28 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140865#140865 Battery Issue : Hi all - I could use some help... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140863#140863 Author: Ben Herman
Subject: 14469
Posted: 16 Mar 2021 at 6:59pm

Hi all - I could use some help from the wizards in this group on a power issue.  We  just finished out first trip of the season. Just as we  were setting out, I noticed that the battery had  discharged down to 10+ volts, after I unplugged the Pod from shore power and was running the fridge on propane just to ensure that everything was working ok. I wasn't worried about it at the moment, because we were heading to a campground with full hookups - something we rarely do. Once I connected my TV to the trailer, the voltmeter was reading 12+V so off we went. I was plugged into shore power the whole 4 days, everything was ok. Same when I plugged the trailer back into the TV, all was reading ok. As soon as I got home and got  parked and everything connected, the battery was down to 10 V and small change. 

The battery is a 12V deep charge marine, I kept it in my workshop all winter plugged into a trickle charger. I check the water levels every few months to make sure all is good. It never gets below 40 degrees, so it didn't freeze. The battery is 3 yrs old.

Where I need help is on where to start with trouble-shooting.  I assume that I need to take the battery in for a load  test.  Any other thoughts on what might be causing this? I'm pretty handy but not very literate with 12 v systems, so I am not sure whether/how to test the inverter to see if its not charging the battery. I suspect that it is, since the voltage readings are fine when connected to the TV or to shore power.

Any thoughts, Oh wise ones??
]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2021 18:59:23 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14469&PID=140863#140863