R-pod Owners Forum : 12v system not working, R-POD 180 https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : 12v system not working, R-POD 180 Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 21 May 2026 13:37:50 +0000 Thu, 20 May 2021 15:54:51 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=14598 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : It really gives you a sense of... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142697#142697 Author: JR
Subject: 14598
Posted: 20 May 2021 at 3:54pm

It really gives you a sense of accomplishment when things go right.  Have fun on your trip because you earned it.]]> Thu, 20 May 2021 15:54:51 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142697#142697 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Way to go flgbanjo, so glad that... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142696#142696 Author: campman
Subject: 14598
Posted: 20 May 2021 at 2:38pm

Way to go flgbanjo, so glad that you found it and you are good to go for the weekend!

Andy]]> Thu, 20 May 2021 14:38:25 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142696#142696 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Glad you got it fixed for your... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142695#142695 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14598
Posted: 20 May 2021 at 2:00pm

Glad you got it fixed for your trip!]]> Thu, 20 May 2021 14:00:04 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142695#142695 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : SOLVED! Thank you everyone for... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142694#142694 Author: flgbanjo
Subject: 14598
Posted: 20 May 2021 at 12:56pm

SOLVED!  Thank you everyone for your comments, questions, and support!  Turns out it was a flakey shut off switch at the battery I had installed. It tested ok for continuity a couple of days ago so I eliminated it as a potential issue. Turns out that was a bad idea. Tested again today and no continuity. So I bypassed the cut off and went direct to the battery and voila! And yes, I should have done that at the beginning! So, lesson learned, always go to the battery first and then backtrack from there. Packing the trailer up for a long weekend of camping!  This forum rocks and you people are phenomenal! ]]> Thu, 20 May 2021 12:56:16 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142694#142694 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Reread OG's post and suggest... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142690#142690 Author: campman
Subject: 14598
Posted: 20 May 2021 at 10:54am

Reread OG's post and suggest going a bit further than just disconnecting the solar charge wires. I suggest disconnecting all wires from your battery. Test the battery, only SECURELY reconnect the wires leading to your power distribution panel. Test your system...you get the idea. Simplify the system you are troubleshooting.

Andy   ]]> Thu, 20 May 2021 10:54:46 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142690#142690 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : I am still thinking you may have... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142688#142688 Author: campman
Subject: 14598
Posted: 20 May 2021 at 10:45am

I am still thinking you may have a good (not) ground situation going on, that would be right at or close to the battery itself. With a bad ground nothing works right.

Watching and pulling for your successful conclusion to this, and still thinking about alternate causes. Keep us updated with your findings.]]> Thu, 20 May 2021 10:45:11 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142688#142688 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : That’s one of the reasons I’m... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142687#142687 Author: flgbanjo
Subject: 14598
Posted: 20 May 2021 at 10:29am

That’s one of the reasons I’m so confused, the solar port lines go direct so I should get voltage on the port. I have in the past just fine. Working on it today!]]> Thu, 20 May 2021 10:29:34 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142687#142687 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : There isn't a diode in the... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142678#142678 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14598
Posted: 20 May 2021 at 6:50am

There isn't a diode in the line to the solar port from the battery, and you don't need one. Those wires run straight to the batteru. The solar charge controller will take care of any potential reverse current flow at night. So something is wrong on that line too. If you're not using solar just leave those two wires disconnected at the battery for now while you focus on getting 12v back operating the trailer. ]]> Thu, 20 May 2021 06:50:11 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142678#142678 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : You metered the solar plug in... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142667#142667 Author: campman
Subject: 14598
Posted: 19 May 2021 at 8:07pm

You metered the solar plug in the outside wall where you would plug in a solar panel...I would think that you shouldn't get an electrical reading there...I believe there would be a diode (amongst other electrical controls) in the line to the battery at a minimum to prevent the batteries from reversing the flow and feeding power to the solar panel.

It makes sense there is no power indication at the solar plug if I did understand you correctly.

12.88 volts is what I would consider a fully charged battery, which is 12.9 volts...Again, this only indicates volts, and is not a load test. We can't load test it by using electrical items on your trailer right now.

Question, is there 12v from the battery reaching your circuit breaker/fuse box.

The search for where the 12 volt electricity from the battery is being interrupted continues.

Maybe you have a bad ground issue where your battery is grounded? A bad battery ground might cause this? Throwing darts on this thought, sorry.]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 20:07:29 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142667#142667 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Haven’t load tested them. What’s... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142664#142664 Author: flgbanjo
Subject: 14598
Posted: 19 May 2021 at 7:24pm

Haven’t load tested them. What’s interesting is if I test at the batteries I see 12.88v, but if I test at the solar plug in on the side which theoretically goes doorway to the batteries I get 0.38, so something is wrong. Having it plugged int to shore power for four hours and unplugging didn’t make a difference, no 12v power after unplugging shore.]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 19:24:20 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142664#142664 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Did you happen to test your battery... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142661#142661 Author: campman
Subject: 14598
Posted: 19 May 2021 at 6:37pm

Did you happen to test your battery before you hooked up shore power to see if your battery was dead after the two weeks of sitting. Load testing is different then voltage testing. Again, grasping at straws...wire connections where the 12 volt battery power comes into the electrical system at the fuse/cb box?

Andy]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 18:37:13 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142661#142661 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Thanks everyone! Yes, I have a... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142655#142655 Author: flgbanjo
Subject: 14598
Posted: 19 May 2021 at 5:35pm

Thanks everyone! Yes, I have a battery disconnect switch wired in and can confirm it worked last time. Turn off, 12v off. Turn on, it worked fine. Put it away for two weeks with the switch off, when to bring it out today and no power.   I'll double check the post connections (good idea to check those!) but last time they were pretty solid.  I had tested with a voltmeter at the junctions under the trailer past the 12v cut off switch last time and had power.  I'll keep looking! So frustrating!  I run through things again.]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 17:35:37 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142655#142655 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Okay, I read your write up again...did... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142654#142654 Author: campman
Subject: 14598
Posted: 19 May 2021 at 5:02pm

Okay, I read your write up again...did you disconnect your battery while it was parked for 2 weeks? If no, that would drain your battery as others here have already mentioned. This will damage your battery for sure. Did you use the battery disconnect if so equipped? If you have a battery disconnect, that could be the problem area. Check for power on both sides to see if it has failed. I think another contributor (Stephenh) mentioned they can fail.

That is all I can think of for now, have a good one.

Andy]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 17:02:10 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142654#142654 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Dang! I was hoping you had it... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142651#142651 Author: campman
Subject: 14598
Posted: 19 May 2021 at 4:55pm

Dang! I was hoping you had it taken care of. Thanks for getting back to us, I know I will be watching and hoping it is something as simple as loose battery post connections...they are tight, right? Maybe smear a bit of dielectric grease on the connections to hold the corrosion off..not the answer for you but a good idea anyways.

Hmm, are you sure your battery is good? Load tested at a shop to confirm serviceability?

When I was working on military aircraft I was taught to divide the system having an issue in halves (if the answer isn't apparent), test and continue halving the system to steadily reduce the size of the problem.

Everything working from TV and shore power eliminates much more than a half! Working through it in my head...if it isn't your heavy duty, deep cycle battery, all that is left is aft (errr, I mean behind) your battery and at or forward of your fuses/breakers...may be some loose connections at the breakers or are there connections between that need tightening?

Good luck!

Andy]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 16:55:43 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142651#142651 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Turns out my solution last time... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142650#142650 Author: flgbanjo
Subject: 14598
Posted: 19 May 2021 at 4:36pm

Turns out my solution last time didn't work this time! Brought it back out of storage from two weeks ago, once again, no 12v unless I plug it into the tow vehicle or the house.  Unplugged and re-plugged the fuses back in and no luck this time. I'll keep troubleshooting. If I find out what fixes this, I'll let you all know!]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 16:36:28 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142650#142650 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Originally posted by TariSDid... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142538#142538 Author: Colt
Subject: 14598
Posted: 16 May 2021 at 10:51am

Originally posted by TariS

Did you ever crack this problem?  We have a 178 with battery drain issues I am struggling with.


There are several things that are 12V and always on, !ike the 'fridge controls, CO2 and Propane detector(s), thermostat, radio/c!ock, .... Mine will drain the battery in about 2 weeks without a power source. I have a 25 watt solar panel hooked to the battery, and it will just about keep the battery up with all it its base loads. Fifty watts probably would. So, I keep my battery disconnect switch off and the little panel hooked up when in storage.

How old is your battery? Their capacity Dec!ones with age and use, shortening the time to "dead".]]> Sun, 16 May 2021 10:51:07 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142538#142538 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Heating water with a battery is... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142536#142536 Author: john in idaho
Subject: 14598
Posted: 16 May 2021 at 10:00am

Heating water with a battery is not at all efficient with an rv.  Most tow vehicles do not have a high enough output charging system for an rv battery.  

RV refrigerators of the size in an rPod are not particularly efficient.  Having the Refer on the shady side of the trailer helps as much as anything.   Keeping things frozen can be rather iffy.  We did find an ice cube maker at costco that uses minimal 110 v power and makes wonderful ice cubes --just not very faST.  A 1000 w generator would power it easily.
]]> Sun, 16 May 2021 10:00:57 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142536#142536 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Campman,Wow, what a detailed reply.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142530#142530 Author: TariS
Subject: 14598
Posted: 15 May 2021 at 9:15pm

Campman,
Wow, what a detailed reply.  I'll pass this on to my husband who will understand more about your questions.  Thanks a million
TS
]]> Sat, 15 May 2021 21:15:32 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142530#142530 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Thanks TTWe never keep anything... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142529#142529 Author: TariS
Subject: 14598
Posted: 15 May 2021 at 9:12pm

Thanks TT
We never keep anything on really when traveling.  We'll run on propane for now and hope for battery charge enough to have hot water. 
Thanks for your help and we'll keep you posted....
TS
]]> Sat, 15 May 2021 21:12:17 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142529#142529 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Hello TariS. I might be asking... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142521#142521 Author: campman
Subject: 14598
Posted: 15 May 2021 at 10:38am

Hello TariS. I might be asking the wrong questions, but here goes...what type of battery did you install? If it is a 12 volt it should be a dedicated deep cycle, not a deep cycle/starting battery which are used in boats. It should especially not be a normal vehicle starting battery as they are designed for large electrical demands for a very short period of time (like starting your vehicle demands). I would also imagine that if it is indeed a deep cycle battery that it at a minimum would be a size 24, possibly a size 27...this just denotes the outside dimensions of the battery and deep cycle batteries are far heavier due to their thicker plates, which are needed to allow deeper discharging of the battery than start batteries.

It is a new battery, but was it allowed to discharge and freeze? This will damage/kill a battery as well. They won't hold a charge.

You can have your battery tested at a local automotive store, sometimes for free. This would determine if you have a faulty battery.

Do not add a 2nd battery to your system as batteries, if tied together should be of identical age, size, manufacturer, capacity etc. One good and one weak or bad battery will ruin the good battery in short order.

A suggestion would be that once you have remedied your situation and you don't have a battery cut off switch to stop any battery drain that you at least disconnect your battery for short periods of no trailer use. For longer periods bring the battery home and either keep a trickle charger on it or charge it every month or 2 to maintain it.

If it is a wet battery (where you can open the caps to check and add distilled water) you can do exactly that if you are comfortable with and know how to do it safely.

You may have a bad battery, and it should be under warranty as it is very new. If you take it to a shop to get it load tested, you might have to get a new one and return the bad one when you get home.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Andy]]> Sat, 15 May 2021 10:38:45 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142521#142521 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Originally posted by TariSTars... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142519#142519 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 14598
Posted: 15 May 2021 at 9:56am

Originally posted by TariS

Tars Tarkas,
Thanks so much for your quick reply.  We leave Santa Fe tomorrow, traveling I 40 east.  We won't be needing the furnace but traveling without the refrigerator working isn't fun.  Can we travel with the frig running on propane?  We turned the frig off and disconnected the radio and the RPod has kept 2/3 battery charge while sitting in the driveway for two days.  
Hoping for two things on our journey home:  cold refrigerator and hot water.
Thanks again.

Some will disagree with this but yes, you certainly can run the fridge on propane while on the road.  I do it all the time as do hundreds of thousands of other RVers.  Some will say you have to turn the propane off when you go to a gas station.  Not true.  There are myths and there are truths about that.  The myths are incorrect.  There are some ferries and some tunnels where you do have to turn off the propane.

As for hot water, I leave it off when traveling.  The water heater retains warmth for a long time and recovers quickly.  It's only 6 gallons.  If you can wait 10 or 15 minutes for a shower you'll be fine.

TT
]]> Sat, 15 May 2021 09:56:14 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142519#142519 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Thanks StephenH,I'll check... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142515#142515 Author: TariS
Subject: 14598
Posted: 15 May 2021 at 8:50am

Thanks StephenH,
I'll check the safety pin this morning.  

]]> Sat, 15 May 2021 08:50:20 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142515#142515 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Tars Tarkas,Thanks so much for... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142514#142514 Author: TariS
Subject: 14598
Posted: 15 May 2021 at 8:48am

Tars Tarkas,
Thanks so much for your quick reply.  We leave Santa Fe tomorrow, traveling I 40 east.  We won't be needing the furnace but traveling without the refrigerator working isn't fun.  Can we travel with the frig running on propane?  We turned the frig off and disconnected the radio and the RPod has kept 2/3 battery charge while sitting in the driveway for two days.  
Hoping for two things on our journey home:  cold refrigerator and hot water.
Thanks again.
]]> Sat, 15 May 2021 08:48:46 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142514#142514 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : There is also a large drain if... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142512#142512 Author: StephenH
Subject: 14598
Posted: 14 May 2021 at 11:37pm

There is also a large drain if the pin in the safety disconnect has been pulled. Check that to make sure the pin is fully inserted so the brakes are not fully energized.]]> Fri, 14 May 2021 23:37:36 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142512#142512 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : What do you run on 12v? The vent... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142510#142510 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 14598
Posted: 14 May 2021 at 11:34pm

What do you run on 12v?  The vent fan and the furnace fan run on 12v and they will run the battery down fairly quickly.  The fridge will definitely run the battery down fast if run on 12v,  There is never a good reason to run it on 12v though anyway.  (All this is assuming 12v only -- shore power should keep your battery topped up through the converter.)  Keeping the battery topped up from the TV is iffy, depending on your alternator output as well as the amps your wiring can deliver.  You can have 14v with too few amps to do any good at all.

There are some small drains, like the CO detector, the brains of the fridge, lights on the radio, etc., that will run a battery down in a week or two (or more) but there's something wrong if you're battery is draining overnight unless you're running the furnace, or something like that, fairly intensely.

TT
]]> Fri, 14 May 2021 23:34:07 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142510#142510 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Our battery, only one 12 V, newly... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142507#142507 Author: TariS
Subject: 14598
Posted: 14 May 2021 at 11:10pm

Our battery, only one 12 V, newly replaced, seems to drain very quickly, like in a few hours.  Everything works on shore power, but even with the refrigerator using propane, we can't keep a charge overnight. The battery also seems to charge VERY slowly or not at all from the tow vehicle, which I have confirmed is delivering good voltage.  I have been told another battery will help, but I am reluctant to install one before identifying existing problems (if they in fact exist).  I replaced the power converter but that did not change things.  

Are we asking too much from one 12V battery?  
]]> Fri, 14 May 2021 23:10:54 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142507#142507 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : TariS. Please describe your battery... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142504#142504 Author: jato
Subject: 14598
Posted: 14 May 2021 at 10:19pm

TariS.  Please describe your battery drain issues.  We are here to help.
]]> Fri, 14 May 2021 22:19:11 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142504#142504 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : I fixed it by taking out the 40A... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142492#142492 Author: flgbanjo
Subject: 14598
Posted: 14 May 2021 at 10:53am

I fixed it by taking out the 40A fuses and putting them back in!  I wish I could say I did something technical or stumbled across the magic fix, but it was as simple as that and I just assume it wasn't seated properly or was a little corroded or something.  ]]> Fri, 14 May 2021 10:53:13 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142492#142492 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Did you ever crack this problem?... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142491#142491 Author: TariS
Subject: 14598
Posted: 14 May 2021 at 9:58am

Did you ever crack this problem?  We have a 178 with battery drain issues I am struggling with.]]> Fri, 14 May 2021 09:58:35 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142491#142491 12v system not working, R-POD 180 : Could have been a slightly corroded... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142169#142169 Author: StephenH
Subject: 14598
Posted: 29 Apr 2021 at 9:45pm

Could have been a slightly corroded connection for the fuse. In any case, I am glad things are working. Keep in mind the cut-off switch. I have heard of them going bad, especially the ones with the removable key. If you look in my mods, you will see the type I got. It has been reliable with no issues. I can't say the same for some of the other types. I have heard of them going bad.]]> Thu, 29 Apr 2021 21:45:39 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14598&PID=142169#142169