R-pod Owners Forum : RPOD 178 Power Switch http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Introduce Yourself : RPOD 178 Power Switch Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 01 May 2026 12:48:28 +0000 Wed, 27 Apr 2022 17:49:05 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=15237 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ RPOD 178 Power Switch : Us suggest getting a multimeter... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147905#147905 Author: offgrid
Subject: 15237
Posted: 27 Apr 2022 at 5:49pm

Us suggest getting a multimeter with a DC current clamp on function. These are more like $35 from online retailers but well worth it because you can see how much current your charging sources are providing and your loads are taking. Be sure to get one that does DC current, not just AC current, which is more common.

And yes it is possible for a bad battery to look like an open circuit and fool a solar charge controller into thinking there is no battery connected. ]]> Wed, 27 Apr 2022 17:49:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147905#147905 RPOD 178 Power Switch : Hopefully you have a voltmeter... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147891#147891 Author: jato
Subject: 15237
Posted: 27 Apr 2022 at 11:24am

Hopefully you have a voltmeter or multitestor, if not, go to HF and for about $5 you can purchase one.
Testing your battery you should read (fully charged at rest) 12.72 volts.  If it is down to 50% S.O.C. it will only read 12.2v. For maximum battery longevity do not draw down below 12.2v.  Pop off the cover and see if your cells are covered and full and fill to full mark with distilled water,  if they are dry you may very well have a dead battery. 

If the battery was hooked up wrong previously you may have both 40amp fuses toasted, which would not allow you solar to charge the battery.  Check to see if those fuses are good.  Also make certain that the connections on the battery on not only finger tight but snugged down securely with a wrench.   Not having solar i cannot offer any constructive advice as to that issue.
]]> Wed, 27 Apr 2022 11:24:51 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147891#147891 RPOD 178 Power Switch : Thank you all for the good advise...... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147890#147890 Author: Texasvet1991
Subject: 15237
Posted: 27 Apr 2022 at 11:15am

Thank you all for the good advise... I really appreciate your help still learning about the Rpod 178..

I have another question,,, The Rpod came with a ZAMP SOLAR system 60 watt..
I hooked it up to my prewired Zamp system at the port on Rpod, but only get a 601 code on the monitor,
I watched a video on U Tube and he said that the code means Battery not connected...CODE 601 means Battery not connected... I left the solar panel out in sun for 3 hours no change still code 601...
If the battery is dead would that be the cause...OuchOuch
]]> Wed, 27 Apr 2022 11:15:12 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147890#147890 RPOD 178 Power Switch : Originally posted by Texasvet1991I... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147887#147887 Author: Colt
Subject: 15237
Posted: 26 Apr 2022 at 4:53pm

Originally posted by Texasvet1991

I purchased a 2015 RPOD 178 on 3-11-22... I have not used the Rpod yet... I tried using the Solar Panel to powerup the Rpod so I could try to operate the lights TV and AC...I moved it from storage to my driveway last week... I dont have any power source for now, I am ordering a 30 amp extention cord tomorrow and use the 110 dogbone to hookup to my house.... Will this work from my house I have never done this before...
Is there a power switch to turn on the power to the RPOD??? I cant find one...
Thanks 
James


Yes, that will work. There is a battery charger built into your fuse/breaker panel. That will charge your battery (test it to be sure it's good) and run your lights, slide, furnace, refrigerator (it's AC, DC & gas) and radio on the DC side. Your TV, Micro, AC water heater element (water heater also uses gas) and Air Conditioner are 120V AC only.

There isn't a power switch. However, if connected, the solar panel should keep the battery charged (or mostly). Mine came with a battery disconnect switch. There is enough dark current to deplete the battery in about 10 days without the disconnect. My temporary 25 watt panel will keep my battery charged if every day is sunny. ]]> Tue, 26 Apr 2022 16:53:41 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147887#147887 RPOD 178 Power Switch : Welcome to the forum! I would... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147883#147883 Author: campman
Subject: 15237
Posted: 26 Apr 2022 at 12:19pm

Welcome to the forum!

I would suggest that you check the security/cleanliness of the battery post connections and make sure that you verify the cables are connected to the correct post. If they have been connected backwards, even for a second I think there is a large fuse that can blow that protects your trailer. Check your fuse panel for any blown fuses.

Andy]]> Tue, 26 Apr 2022 12:19:23 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147883#147883 RPOD 178 Power Switch : Welcome to the forum Texasvet1991.There... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147882#147882 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 15237
Posted: 26 Apr 2022 at 11:33am

Welcome to the forum Texasvet1991. 

There is no "off" switch unless the Rpod has a battery disconnect switch (which it might have since it's 7 years old). You should use a DVM or any kind of volt meter to check the battery to see if it is charged up. If it's been run down, the first thing you'll likely need to do is get a new battery.

All the lights in the Rpod are 12V, so they need a "live" battery to turn on. 
]]> Tue, 26 Apr 2022 11:33:55 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147882#147882 RPOD 178 Power Switch : I purchased a 2015 RPOD 178 on... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147875#147875 Author: Texasvet1991
Subject: 15237
Posted: 25 Apr 2022 at 9:38pm

I purchased a 2015 RPOD 178 on 3-11-22... I have not used the Rpod yet... I tried using the Solar Panel to powerup the Rpod so I could try to operate the lights TV and AC...I moved it from storage to my driveway last week... I dont have any power source for now, I am ordering a 30 amp extention cord tomorrow and use the 110 dogbone to hookup to my house.... Will this work from my house I have never done this before...
Is there a power switch to turn on the power to the RPOD??? I cant find one...

Thanks 
James
]]> Mon, 25 Apr 2022 21:38:45 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15237&PID=147875#147875