R-pod Owners Forum : Battery maintenance http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Battery maintenance Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:48:45 +0000 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:03:17 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=2322 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Battery maintenance : I bought a second Interstate battery... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21626#21626 Author: Tidalwave4455
Subject: 2322
Posted: 08 Jan 2012 at 12:03pm

I bought a second Interstate battery from Batteries+.  I mentioned that I had a float battery charger connected to the original battery while it sat on the Pod in an unheated garage.  The clerk suggested that I remove the battery from the Pod and keep it in a location which would not freeze up.  He mentioned that sometimes the charger will break down, the battery slowly discharges and then freezes, destroying the battery.  From then on, I have stored my batteries in a location where they can't freeze.
]]> Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:03:17 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21626#21626 Battery maintenance : I have a little coleman solar... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21623#21623 Author: MTB Pod
Subject: 2322
Posted: 08 Jan 2012 at 10:09am

I have a little coleman solar trickle charger that I use. I leave the battery in the battery box, disconnect it from the trailer so there's no additional drain from anything inside the trailer, then hook up the trickle charger. Even with our cloudy Portland winters, it keeps the battery charged nicely. At one time, Costco carried these little chargers, but I've also seen similar ones at Harbor Freight and Walmart.

Marila]]> Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:09:55 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21623#21623 Battery maintenance : Go to your locale hardware store... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21602#21602 Author: TerryM
Subject: 2322
Posted: 06 Jan 2012 at 7:46pm

Go to your locale hardware store and buy yourself a little red wagon.  Put the battery in it and take it in the house and put a trickle charger on it.

Terry
]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:46:29 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21602#21602 Battery maintenance : I have had Battery Tenders on... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21596#21596 Author: sfish
Subject: 2322
Posted: 06 Jan 2012 at 6:11pm

I have had Battery Tenders on all of my batteries for years. I used to replace them all the time and now they really last long. Minnesota winters are harsh on them .I put them in the garage and alternate the tenders every couple of weeks. I own 6 of them.]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:11:33 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21596#21596 Battery maintenance : I second everything that Techntrek... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21594#21594 Author: Guests
Subject: 2322
Posted: 06 Jan 2012 at 4:03pm

I second everything that Techntrek wrote.  Once per month should be OK, provided something like the propane detector is not draining the battery.  Also, something to keep an eye on is the water level in the cells.
 
I keep my batteries in the garage (which stays around 50F in the winter) and I use a "Battery Tender" type product.  I put them on it once per month.  It will "bulk charge" for a while then switch to "float" sometime during a 24hr period.  Sorry, I've never timed how long it actually stays in bulk mode. 
 
In my situation, one 24hr period per month is just fine.
]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:03:31 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21594#21594 Battery maintenance : One more thing, make sure you... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21592#21592 Author: techntrek
Subject: 2322
Posted: 06 Jan 2012 at 3:47pm

One more thing, make sure you disconnect the battery from the Pod in between charges and in between trips.  The LP detector will completely drain the battery within a week or two if you don't.  Do that 2-3 times and your battery will be dead for good.  While my popup came with a nice disconnect plug, the Pods don't have one.  I added a 30 amp fuse on the positive cable just outside the battery box, and use that as my disconnect.]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:47:22 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21592#21592 Battery maintenance : There are one of two options but... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21590#21590 Author: techntrek
Subject: 2322
Posted: 06 Jan 2012 at 3:28pm

There are one of two options but you'll only be able to use one of them.  The first is to bring the battery into a garage and keep it on a float charger.  Inside (like an apartment) or in a basement isn't a good idea because lead acid batteries emit hydrogen when charging.  Add on the lifting factor and your only safe option is the next one.
 
During warm months batteries must be charged a minimum of once a month, overnight, plus they should be charged overnight before each trip and again after a trip (which would meet the once a month requirement if you take trips often enough) if possible.  During the middle of winter - if they are stored outside where they will be kept cold - they can be charged every 2-3 months.  Florida won't get cold enough except for the odd cold snap like you just had, so you should stick to once a month year round.  Use the "fast charge" setting on your charger, the "float charge" setting won't be fast enough.  That is only useful to keep an already charged battery, charged.
]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:28:35 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21590#21590 Battery maintenance : How do I keep my Interstate... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21586#21586 Author: blissful
Subject: 2322
Posted: 06 Jan 2012 at 11:21am

How do I keep my Interstate battery in good condition?  I only have access to an outside plug once per month for 24 hours because I reside in an apartment complex.  I also have a small battery charger.  The battery is a bit heavy for me to lift (senior citizen).  I only use the R-Pod about every two months.  The charger has a "fast charge"-12 volts, and a "float charge"-12 volts.  Do I keep the battery on "float" in between usage or plug R-Pod in once per month on a 24 hour outside plug?
HELP!!OuchCry  Blissful]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:21:19 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2322&PID=21586#21586