R-pod Owners Forum : Charging Accessorys https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Reviews and General Information : Charging Accessorys Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 04:04:03 +0000 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 02:37:43 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=7365 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Charging Accessorys : Thanks https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=71678#71678 Author: howmanyds
Subject: 7365
Posted: 23 Mar 2016 at 2:37am

Thanks ]]> Wed, 23 Mar 2016 02:37:43 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=71678#71678 Charging Accessorys : Originally posted by howmanydsCan... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=71647#71647 Author: furpod
Subject: 7365
Posted: 22 Mar 2016 at 1:45pm

Originally posted by howmanyds

Can someone please tell me where the converter panel is? Is it connected to the fuse panel or is it just inside from the port side shore power connection, which would be under the seating area in my 183G?


If you go to my mods link, page 8, you can see exactly where it is, and what it is, in relation to the power distribution center..

Click Blue Link

V
v
V
v
V
]]> Tue, 22 Mar 2016 13:45:15 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=71647#71647 Charging Accessorys : Originally posted by howmanydsCan... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=71643#71643 Author: Outbound
Subject: 7365
Posted: 22 Mar 2016 at 1:14pm

Originally posted by howmanyds

Can someone please tell me where the converter panel is? Is it connected to the fuse panel or is it just inside from the port side shore power connection, which would be under the seating area in my 183G?

Its an all-in-one unit - and, yes, the power panel (with both 120v breakers and 12v fuses) is the front of the unit.
]]> Tue, 22 Mar 2016 13:14:39 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=71643#71643 Charging Accessorys : Can someone please tell me where... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=71636#71636 Author: howmanyds
Subject: 7365
Posted: 22 Mar 2016 at 12:45pm

Can someone please tell me where the converter panel is? Is it connected to the fuse panel or is it just inside from the port side shore power connection, which would be under the seating area in my 183G?]]> Tue, 22 Mar 2016 12:45:23 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=71636#71636 Charging Accessorys : We already have a small inverter... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70191#70191 Author: StephenH
Subject: 7365
Posted: 22 Feb 2016 at 9:00pm

We already have a small inverter that is adequate for charging laptops/netbooks. We also have a generator, we will use the generator and 110V some of the time and the inverter for laptops when we don't want to run the generator and/or are not on an outside power connection. We will use the USB outlets for phones. I can't see buying 12V adapters for our netbooks at the moment. That may change later.]]> Mon, 22 Feb 2016 21:00:56 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70191#70191 Charging Accessorys : We have and use this one..Charger. ... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70189#70189 Author: furpod
Subject: 7365
Posted: 22 Feb 2016 at 8:33pm

We have and use this one..

Charger.
]]> Mon, 22 Feb 2016 20:33:46 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70189#70189 Charging Accessorys : Most of the time it is easier... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70180#70180 Author: techntrek
Subject: 7365
Posted: 22 Feb 2016 at 7:39pm

Most of the time it is easier to just get the inverter.  If you must have the highest efficiency DC-DC converters are the way to go, but to justify that you would need to camp off-grid a lot.]]> Mon, 22 Feb 2016 19:39:59 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70180#70180 Charging Accessorys : Originally posted by CharlieMMost... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70141#70141 Author: StephenH
Subject: 7365
Posted: 21 Feb 2016 at 8:03pm

Originally posted by CharlieM

Most laptop manufacturers offer car chargers for their computers. Technically they they are DC-to-DC converters and convert 12VDC to 17 or 19VDC. They avoid the 12VDC-to-120VAC then 120VAC-to-19VDC of the inverter/charger combination and are somewhat more efficient. They also avoid some control and overhead power of the inverter, but at some point, we are splitting hairs. I have individual car chargers for two laptops which provide more flexibility, somewhat better efficiency, and more stuff to haul Tongue. Camp on.


I had not thought about a DC to DC converter. You are correct in that if one is available, it would be a good choice. I did a quick check to see how much they cost, and they are reasonable in price. Thanks for the additional information.
]]> Sun, 21 Feb 2016 20:03:35 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70141#70141 Charging Accessorys : Most laptop manufacturers offer... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70137#70137 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7365
Posted: 21 Feb 2016 at 4:22pm

Most laptop manufacturers offer car chargers for their computers. Technically they they are DC-to-DC converters and convert 12VDC to 17 or 19VDC. They avoid the 12VDC-to-120VAC then 120VAC-to-19VDC of the inverter/charger combination and are somewhat more efficient. They also avoid some control and overhead power of the inverter, but at some point, we are splitting hairs. I have individual car chargers for two laptops which provide more flexibility, somewhat better efficiency, and more stuff to haul Tongue. Camp on.]]> Sun, 21 Feb 2016 16:22:29 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70137#70137 Charging Accessorys : To a certain extent, I agree... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70135#70135 Author: StephenH
Subject: 7365
Posted: 21 Feb 2016 at 4:09pm

To a certain extent, I agree with using 12V to charge 12V devices. With cell phones, when 12V is plugged in, it is converted to 5V for the USB connection that phones use for charging. The dual-socket connectors seen higher up in this topic have a 12V socket on one side and a dual USB connector on the other. I also got one with 12V socket, meter, and dual USB connector. If you have the dual socket, it would be best to use the USB side as you would already have the correct voltage.

Depending on the laptop, you would probably need an inverter since many laptops need 19 volts. You would not simply be able to plug one of those into a 12V outlet. However, there are other 12V devices for which adding 12V outlets would be very handy.
]]> Sun, 21 Feb 2016 16:09:39 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70135#70135 Charging Accessorys : The best way to charge cell phones,... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70123#70123 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7365
Posted: 21 Feb 2016 at 8:11am

The best way to charge cell phones, laptops, and similar 12V devices is directly from 12V outlets without an inverter. The 12V current draw is less without the inverter. An inverter changes 12V DC to 120V AC. Then the cell phone charger must convert 120V AC back to low voltage DC. Each conversion wastes energy, giving off heat, thus increasing total demand on the battery. ]]> Sun, 21 Feb 2016 08:11:37 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70123#70123 Charging Accessorys : I am a Newbie and hope to pick... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70119#70119 Author: Patriot Dave
Subject: 7365
Posted: 21 Feb 2016 at 6:33am

I am a Newbie and hope to pick up our new Rpod in the next week or so.
Reading your reply here regarding an inverter.

So with the inverter I can charge things like cell phones, lap tops and so on........my question is when charging theses devices is the draw on the batteries more or less than adding a few 12 volt outlets?

Thanks
Patriot Dave]]> Sun, 21 Feb 2016 06:33:07 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=70119#70119 Charging Accessorys : I installed this in our 178.2... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69281#69281 Author: Don Halas
Subject: 7365
Posted: 20 Jan 2016 at 12:43pm

I installed this in our 178.   2 usb ports and one 12v socket.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N3I1NZW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00]]> Wed, 20 Jan 2016 12:43:36 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69281#69281 Charging Accessorys : Got down to 9 here last night.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69257#69257 Author: techntrek
Subject: 7365
Posted: 19 Jan 2016 at 5:35pm

Got down to 9 here last night.  Love the cold.  When it is inside the ice cubes in my drink.

Only owned 1 pod, a 2010 171 which we sold almost exactly a year ago.
]]> Tue, 19 Jan 2016 17:35:52 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69257#69257 Charging Accessorys : Thanks, I will do that as soon... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69248#69248 Author: jato
Subject: 7365
Posted: 19 Jan 2016 at 12:27pm

Thanks, I will do that as soon as I finish here.  It is a balmy 20 outside right now, quite a warm-up from the past few days.  Guess I will give them a 2amp trickle charge as well to get them through until spring.  BTW  is your 171 the 2nd pod you've owned?  Didn't you have a 2009 before?]]> Tue, 19 Jan 2016 12:27:38 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69248#69248 Charging Accessorys : Jato, keep your batteries outside... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69247#69247 Author: techntrek
Subject: 7365
Posted: 19 Jan 2016 at 12:18pm

Jato, keep your batteries outside where the cold will preserve their life, and reduce their internal discharge rate. If you keep them inside you still should be charging them monthly, if they are outside and it is cold out you can go with one charge in the middle of winter.

50% SOC normally, only occasionally go to 30% SOC to preserve the life.
]]> Tue, 19 Jan 2016 12:18:06 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69247#69247 Charging Accessorys : Originally posted by furpod..... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69213#69213 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7365
Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 2:15pm

Originally posted by furpod



.. but even from one end of the trailer to the other, it's all short runs, and the voltage drops are pretty minimal, as long as the gauge of the wire is correct.


One advantage of wiring directly to the converter panel: Regardless of the length the meter will be essentially correct if there is nothing running from the outlet itself. Connect with #12AWG and you're good to go.
]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2016 14:15:37 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69213#69213 Charging Accessorys : Thanks, looks good. Nice job. ... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69212#69212 Author: jato
Subject: 7365
Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 12:16pm

Thanks, looks good.  Nice job.
]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2016 12:16:24 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69212#69212 Charging Accessorys : Originally posted by jatoThanks... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69211#69211 Author: furpod
Subject: 7365
Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 11:55am

Originally posted by jato

Thanks Mark !  What made you decide to trade out your 12v/marine (same as what I currently have) for the Trojan T-105s since they still tested 100% life?  And, what did the Trojan batteries set you back?  I like the 110 hours that the 2 6v batteries give.   With the 12v we usually go 4 days on one before switching over to the other and that is in colder weather when evening temps run 30 - 45 degrees.  However I am drawing it down to about 33% SOC.



A) They were 5 years old, and I would rather trade them then have them fail when I needed them. And we wanted the capability to be off grid longer. we also like to late and early season camp where temps can be well below freezing, heater runs a lot more then.

B) Box and batteries, it was about $400 total.

If you click my mod link and go to page 9, whole setup is there..
]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2016 11:55:57 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69211#69211 Charging Accessorys : Thanks Mark ! What made you decide... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69210#69210 Author: jato
Subject: 7365
Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 11:50am

Thanks Mark !  What made you decide to trade out your 12v/marine (same as what I currently have) for the Trojan T-105s since they still tested 100% life?  And, what did the Trojan batteries set you back?  I like the 110 hours that the 2 6v batteries give.   With the 12v we usually go 4 days on one before switching over to the other and that is in colder weather when evening temps run 30 - 45 degrees.  However I am drawing it down to about 33% SOC.
]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2016 11:50:44 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69210#69210 Charging Accessorys : Originally posted by jatoWow,... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69209#69209 Author: furpod
Subject: 7365
Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 11:38am

Originally posted by jato

Wow, that is a lot of information to process.  For the most part we boondock, hence our 2 marine batteries come into play a lot.  I have been told, and maybe you already know the answer, that the deep cycle battery should only be drawn down to 1/3 of its full charge before recharging.  This is what we have done since we purchased ours in 2011.  In the winter months I take them out and give them each a trickle charge for a day and put them in our basement until the following spring.  Any advice? Last I checked they still are holding a great charge after nearly 5 years.


We left ours in all winter, with the pod plugged in. By "marine batteries" do you mean 12v rv/marine? if so, then you should never let them get below 50% SOC. If you have a setup like our old, 2 12v Group 24 RV/Marine batteries. Our 12v batteries tested 100% life when we turned them in as cores for our Trojan T-105s. 5 years old.

Those dual 12v are good for about 55-65aH of useable storage. We switched to dual 6v GC-2 sized batteries, fit in the same space, gives us about 110aH of useable storage if we pull to 50% SOC.. almost double, without taking into account that we do now have true deep cycle batteries and can pull them as deep as we need, though I hope we never really have to take them below 50%, but know it won't be "as hard" on them if we do.
]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2016 11:38:31 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69209#69209 Charging Accessorys : Wow, that is a lot of information... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69203#69203 Author: jato
Subject: 7365
Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 11:10am

Wow, that is a lot of information to process.  For the most part we boondock, hence our 2 marine batteries come into play a lot.  I have been told, and maybe you already know the answer, that the deep cycle battery should only be drawn down to 1/3 of its full charge before recharging.  This is what we have done since we purchased ours in 2011.  In the winter months I take them out and give them each a trickle charge for a day and put them in our basement until the following spring.  Any advice? Last I checked they still are holding a great charge after nearly 5 years.
]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2016 11:10:29 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69203#69203 Charging Accessorys : Originally posted by StephenHThank... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69200#69200 Author: furpod
Subject: 7365
Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 10:54am

Originally posted by StephenH

Thank you. I had not thought of the voltage drop. I'll see if I can do a direct connect for the Voltmeter.


One thing about the mentioned voltage drop.. Playing with my multimeter, I find my monitor shows .01-.02 less voltage then the multimeter shows at the batteries. I don't see this as problem in any way. If the meter shows a bit "pessimistic" and is showing me I am down to 12.21v, when I am REALLY at 12.22-3V, I see that as a good thing. The battery is not as LOW as shown on my panel, but I am going to use my panel output as "true", meaning, when I choose to recharge, or cut the power to protect the batteries, they are "safer" then shown.

I was worried about how exact the output from the gauge would be, and wired temporary at first, in case I wanted to do it direct, rather then put it where it's convenient.. but even from one end of the trailer to the other, it's all short runs, and the voltage drops are pretty minimal, as long as the gauge of the wire is correct.
]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2016 10:54:32 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69200#69200 Charging Accessorys : Those are 10g wires. Good to... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69199#69199 Author: furpod
Subject: 7365
Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 10:46am

Those are 10g wires. Good to 30A. The fuse is going to blow LONG before those wires get hot.

Those outlets set only have 1 cigarette lighter type socket, the other is a USB charging port (dual).

There is a negative and positive connection on the back of each outlet. I just brought one wire to each side and then on to the next. This is the same way your house etc is wired, the outlets on a circuit are wired in series. When any electrical circuit is laid out, it is the fuse or breaker's job to protect the wires, not any stuff plugged into the circuit. The circuits these are wired to have 10A and 15A fuses. NOW.. one thing that's "different" from what you might do, I already had 12v outlets in the two places I mounted these. Those were already wired with female ends, so I just added male ends for the hookups, because I had them on hand, and for one of the outlet sets, there is zero spare working room behind the outlets, so this made it a little easier to plug into MY installation.

Back when I played with CB radios, the circuits I ran for them were protected by 10A fuses. Never blew a fuse. All you have to do is look at the CB and the TV and see how many amps, or watts, they pull. But I am sure they will be less than 10A combined, to tell you the truth.

Monday morning boredom results in:

Looking at the manual for the most expensive Cobra model I could find, the 29LXBT, (my assumption being this model will have the most features and the highest power requirements) it says 1.5A max draw. The 19" Jensen 12v TV I looked up real quick appears to have a 3.3A draw. The 2 USB charging ports max at 2.1A and 1A. So even if you used a spliter for the 12v outlet, and had USB stuff charging at max, at the same time you were watching TV and talking to your good buddies, you still wouldn't blow a 10A fuse.
]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2016 10:46:06 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69199#69199 Charging Accessorys : Originally posted by furpod Originally... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69196#69196 Author: johnmaci
Subject: 7365
Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 9:32am

Originally posted by furpod

Originally posted by jimqbaum

The Pod comes with an inverter that will run certain things on 12volt already.
With that said, I am going to stop right here and let the seasoned experts jump in here.


Forest river does not install an inverter in pods. There is a converter, which gives us 12v from the 120v supply. An inverter supplies 120v from 12v.

Best bet for the OP is to install a couple 12v outlet/charge ports. We installed 2. You can either run new 12v circuits, or tie into an existing circuit. In our case, we did one each way, just because it was convenient to do so where we put them. They have 2 USB ports and a 12v socket each.





Furpod,
Could you please explain the connections here? What did you splice together?
If you double up on connections and you draw from both does that still leave enough room so that the wires do not overheat?
Case in point, I plan on connecting my CB radio to one outlet, and a small 12v (19") TV to the other.....

]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2016 09:32:03 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69196#69196 Charging Accessorys : Thank you. I had not thought of... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69193#69193 Author: StephenH
Subject: 7365
Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 10:32pm

Thank you. I had not thought of the voltage drop. I'll see if I can do a direct connect for the Voltmeter.]]> Sun, 17 Jan 2016 22:32:44 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69193#69193 Charging Accessorys : Originally posted by StephenHThanks.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69191#69191 Author: furpod
Subject: 7365
Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 10:31pm

Originally posted by StephenH

Thanks. I have ordered one dual and a three-way with the Voltmeter. I want to keep track of my battery usage and just having the LED lights does not tell me much. The digital readout should be more useful.Smile


That's a good plan. I built my own voltmeter very early on, so didn't order the three port one (I think all the monitor panel readouts are hokum) Think about putting at least that bay of the three on a separate switch, for both the glow at night, and the small parasitic draw..  ;)




]]> Sun, 17 Jan 2016 22:31:12 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69191#69191 Charging Accessorys : Originally posted by StephenHThanks.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69188#69188 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7365
Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 10:04pm

Originally posted by StephenH

Thanks. I have ordered one dual and a three-way with the Voltmeter. I want to keep track of my battery usage and just having the LED lights does not tell me much. The digital readout should be more useful.Smile


Good plan. Voltmeter=Good; LEDs=Worthless. To maximize the VM accuracy it should be wired directly to the battery. HOWEVER, second best and still quite acceptable is to wire it to an unused slot on the power converter. Easily done and described by several on this forum. Connecting to an existing circuit can produce readings erroneously low. Maybe only a few tenths of a volt, but in this application each tenth of a volt can mean 10% error in battery SOC.


]]> Sun, 17 Jan 2016 22:04:22 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69188#69188 Charging Accessorys : Thanks. I have ordered one dual... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69187#69187 Author: StephenH
Subject: 7365
Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 8:59pm

Thanks. I have ordered one dual and a three-way with the Voltmeter. I want to keep track of my battery usage and just having the LED lights does not tell me much. The digital readout should be more useful.Smile]]> Sun, 17 Jan 2016 20:59:23 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69187#69187 Charging Accessorys : Originally posted by StephenH Originally... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69186#69186 Author: furpod
Subject: 7365
Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 7:47pm

Originally posted by StephenH

Originally posted by furpod

Best bet for the OP is to install a couple 12v outlet/charge ports. We installed 2. You can either run new 12v circuits, or tie into an existing circuit. In our case, we did one each way, just because it was convenient to do so where we put them. They have 2 USB ports and a 12v socket each.


Where did you find the dual-sockets?


!2v Sockets
]]> Sun, 17 Jan 2016 19:47:05 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7365&PID=69186#69186