R-pod Owners Forum : R-Pod Owner Wannabe http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Introduce Yourself : R-Pod Owner Wannabe Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 04 May 2026 13:52:56 +0000 Sat, 21 May 2016 18:34:57 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=7942 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Originally posted by fredtello1I... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75562#75562 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7942
Posted: 21 May 2016 at 6:34pm

Originally posted by fredtello1

I was considering  camplite.. never saw one in person.... how is the build quality compared to the rpod?  I was told they get hot as the are all aluminum.. true??? 


Camplites are excellent, but they appeal to different folks. They are much more expensive, but will last a lot longer IMO. One BIG advantage to the CL is the lack of any structural wood, including walls and floor. No rot, no mold. That said, the PODs are better insulated and more airtight than the CL as it comes from the factory.

I can't sell CLs too much here or I'll be invited to leave Wink .]]> Sat, 21 May 2016 18:34:57 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75562#75562 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : I was considering camplite.. never... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75550#75550 Author: fredtello1
Subject: 7942
Posted: 21 May 2016 at 4:58pm

I was considering  camplite.. never saw one in person.... how is the build quality compared to the rpod?  I was told they get hot as the are all aluminum.. true??? ]]> Sat, 21 May 2016 16:58:45 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75550#75550 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Originally posted by fredtello1I... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75427#75427 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7942
Posted: 19 May 2016 at 6:12pm

Originally posted by fredtello1

I will break out the owners manual to see if it has the frame heater.. should be in there somewhere..


Now you are dreaming. I have some mountain top property in Florida you might be interested in Wink .
]]> Thu, 19 May 2016 18:12:39 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75427#75427 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : I will break out the owners manual... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75426#75426 Author: fredtello1
Subject: 7942
Posted: 19 May 2016 at 6:09pm

I will break out the owners manual to see if it has the frame heater.. should be in there somewhere..]]> Thu, 19 May 2016 18:09:58 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75426#75426 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : ok.. thanks for the info!!! http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75425#75425 Author: fredtello1
Subject: 7942
Posted: 19 May 2016 at 6:08pm

ok.. thanks for the info!!!]]> Thu, 19 May 2016 18:08:38 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75425#75425 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : remember to check the units vin... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75424#75424 Author: fredtello1
Subject: 7942
Posted: 19 May 2016 at 6:07pm

remember to check the units vin sticker on the side of the rpod...  it has the actual weight on that particular unit on it.. They weigh them at the factory after the build....  my 177 on the website says 2437lbs.. but the actual sticker weight is 2650 lbs.. big differance]]> Thu, 19 May 2016 18:07:10 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75424#75424 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Originally posted by fredtello1Thanks... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75423#75423 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7942
Posted: 19 May 2016 at 6:04pm

Originally posted by fredtello1

Thanks for the responses.....  I have the 177 rpod....  I popped off the back fridge panel.. and guess what???  Plain as day is a label that says 12v heating element on the wire junction... can't get easier than that...  I would have never know about this heater had it not been for this great forum!!!  Happy camping


May not be that simple. All Pods have three way fridges: Propane, 120VAC and 12VDC. These smaller fridges probably DO NOT have a 12V frame heater. Frame heaters are only on larger two door models. The 12V heater you found is probably the main heater to enable 12VDC cooling. Not a great loss in my opinion since I can't think of why you would want to run the fridge on 12V, but it's not the frame heater we have been discussing.
]]> Thu, 19 May 2016 18:04:59 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75423#75423 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Thanks for the responses........ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75421#75421 Author: fredtello1
Subject: 7942
Posted: 19 May 2016 at 5:50pm

Thanks for the responses.....  I have the 177 rpod....  I popped off the back fridge panel.. and guess what???  Plain as day is a label that says 12v heating element on the wire junction... can't get easier than that...  I would have never know about this heater had it not been for this great forum!!!  Happy camping]]> Thu, 19 May 2016 17:50:44 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75421#75421 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Originally posted by CharlieM Originally... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75337#75337 Author: xyzhollyxyz
Subject: 7942
Posted: 18 May 2016 at 12:08pm

Originally posted by CharlieM

Originally posted by xyzhollyxyz

Okay, just went out there and took the back thing apart again (I'm getting good at that detail...) 

Where I pulled J2 is clearly labeled, albeit in TINY and Out-Of-Focus font, LAMP/HEATER.
So, I'm good, right?
Yes, you're good to go. And if you can live without the light you're done. The ammeter will still be required to reclaim the light function. BTW, do not discard or return the meter. It's still VERY useful Wink .

Also, that thermo-whatever thing that slides up and down on the fins has a  fat white wire connected to it.
Interesting, but not relevant to this problem.


YES, YES - I can live without the light! 
I am not a Night Snacker! 
Lemmee go find that dancing guy again... :dance:

I will definitely keep my little meter. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP.

As a side note, the Memphis dealer I visited on Monday has ordered a 172 and it will be delivered to their lot sometime in July. I'll go take a look at it. That was the model I was interested in because of the front bunks. 


]]> Wed, 18 May 2016 12:08:45 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75337#75337 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Originally posted by xyzhollyxyz Okay,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75334#75334 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7942
Posted: 18 May 2016 at 11:57am

Originally posted by xyzhollyxyz

Okay, just went out there and took the back thing apart again (I'm getting good at that detail...) 

Where I pulled J2 is clearly labeled, albeit in TINY and Out-Of-Focus font, LAMP/HEATER.
So, I'm good, right?
Yes, you're good to go. And if you can live without the light you're done. The ammeter will still be required to reclaim the light function. BTW, do not discard or return the meter. It's still VERY useful Wink .

Also, that thermo-whatever thing that slides up and down on the fins has a  fat white wire connected to it.
Interesting, but not relevant to this problem.

]]> Wed, 18 May 2016 11:57:40 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75334#75334 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Okay, just went out there... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75333#75333 Author: xyzhollyxyz
Subject: 7942
Posted: 18 May 2016 at 11:38am

Okay, just went out there and took the back thing apart again (I'm getting good at that detail...) 

Where I pulled J2 is clearly labeled, albeit in TINY and Out-Of-Focus font, LAMP/HEATER.
So, I'm good, right?



Also, that thermo-whatever thing that slides up and down on the fins has a  fat white wire connected to it. 
]]> Wed, 18 May 2016 11:38:28 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75333#75333 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : No panic, just a consideration.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75331#75331 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7942
Posted: 18 May 2016 at 11:12am

No panic, just a consideration. Doug (Techntrek) has a good point. First, double check that the thing the red wire goes to is really labeled J2. Second, trace the associated black wire as far as you can and see what it's connected to. A picture helps. If you can post  the diagram that would help too. And, yes, the meter will solve it all. ]]> Wed, 18 May 2016 11:12:34 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75331#75331 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : OH NO - I thought it was fixed!How... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75330#75330 Author: xyzhollyxyz
Subject: 7942
Posted: 18 May 2016 at 10:58am

OH NO - I thought it was fixed! Unhappy

How do I determine where the thing goes? Just kind of follow it up? I'll go out and look in a few minutes. 

But when I get my clamp on ammeter, that'll tell me (you, really) for sure? :)
]]> Wed, 18 May 2016 10:58:04 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75330#75330 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Can't disagree, Doug, good... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75325#75325 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7942
Posted: 18 May 2016 at 9:10am

Can't disagree, Doug, good observation. Certainly looks like Romex, but may still be used on 12V circuit. This is hard by remote control Cry .

Maybe Holly can do the following:
  1. Verify the connector really is J2.
  2. Determine where the black wire in that cable with the red wire goes. J number or terminal block? The diagram we're working from shows it might go to J10 or a ground terminal.
  3. Find a similar diagram on the fridge and post a good clear picture.
]]> Wed, 18 May 2016 09:10:04 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75325#75325 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : That picture looks like J2 is... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75285#75285 Author: techntrek
Subject: 7942
Posted: 17 May 2016 at 9:50pm

That picture looks like J2 is Romex, usually used for a 120 volt connection...]]> Tue, 17 May 2016 21:50:51 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75285#75285 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Originally posted by CharlieMBTW,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75242#75242 Author: xyzhollyxyz
Subject: 7942
Posted: 17 May 2016 at 11:37am

Originally posted by CharlieM

BTW, Sears and Amazon also carry flashlights Wink .

LOL I actually don't keep much in the fridge. It's the freezer I need. 

Mostly all that's in the fridge section is beer and wine...and salad. 
]]> Tue, 17 May 2016 11:37:03 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75242#75242 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Pulled J2 and the fridge light... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75241#75241 Author: xyzhollyxyz
Subject: 7942
Posted: 17 May 2016 at 11:35am

Pulled J2 and the fridge light went off. 
I am hoping for success! 
And even greater success in the boondocking department - look out, NFS, here I come! Dance

Thank you so much for your help! 
I really appreciate it. 

And hopefully this thread can help others.

I'll do some testing when I get my new meter! 
(with your help, of course...) 
]]> Tue, 17 May 2016 11:35:27 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75241#75241 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Ok, now you have a choice. Wait... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75238#75238 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7942
Posted: 17 May 2016 at 11:25am

Ok, now you have a choice. Wait for the clamp on meter and be able to disable the heater while retaining the light

OR

Simply pull J2, thereby disconnecting both the heater and the light.
BTW, Sears and Amazon also carry flashlights Wink .


]]> Tue, 17 May 2016 11:25:09 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75238#75238 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : I FOUND J2! http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75233#75233 Author: xyzhollyxyz
Subject: 7942
Posted: 17 May 2016 at 10:41am

I FOUND J2!


]]> Tue, 17 May 2016 10:41:33 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75233#75233 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : A clamp on ammeter is always... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75220#75220 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7942
Posted: 16 May 2016 at 10:05pm

A clamp on ammeter is always a good thing to have. When you look MAKE SURE it measures DC Current. Most only measure AC current and are of limited use for you. I have this one from Sears and like it very much:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-digital-clamp-on-ammeter/p-03482369000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Or this one at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Uni-T-UT210E-Current-Meters-Capacitance/dp/B00O1Q2HOQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1463450940&sr=8-6&keywords=clamp+meter

I don't see one at Lowes.

Just pulling the silver or brass connectors from the lamp will not disable the heater. That just kills the light. You have to separate the two black or red wires from each other.
]]> Mon, 16 May 2016 22:05:11 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75220#75220 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Originally posted by techntrekHolly,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75219#75219 Author: xyzhollyxyz
Subject: 7942
Posted: 16 May 2016 at 10:04pm

Originally posted by techntrek

Holly, get an online quote from Couch's.  I see you are already a member on their forum (you'll quickly see you'll do better hanging around here, but they can save you big money).

LOL - I am? I do not recall joining their forum...didn't know (or remember) that they had one!! :) I called on Saturday, I believe, and the guy I spoke with said that they did not have the 2 units I was interested in on the lot, even though they were on, I think, RVTrader. He did not show much interest in providing any further information. It's getting more and more difficult to find people these days to take your money...

But now that I've seen a unit, I'll go back to them. 

Now, where is that Forum? Star

ON EDIT: It's the RPod Nation forum? I liked it better over here!! 
]]> Mon, 16 May 2016 22:04:20 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75219#75219 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : I've been seriously thinking... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75218#75218 Author: xyzhollyxyz
Subject: 7942
Posted: 16 May 2016 at 9:51pm

I've been seriously thinking about getting a clamp-on ammeter (when this whole fridge thing came up). I'll shop around tomorrow. (that would be online shopping...I am far, far out in the boonies). 

So, if I don't care one bit about the light working - I can easily live without that light -  can't I just pull the silver thing that has the two black wires? (pulling it makes the light go out). 

I'll look at the outside compartment tomorrow with schematic in hand. 

I'm off to look at Lowe's for the meter...
]]> Mon, 16 May 2016 21:51:21 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75218#75218 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Holly, get an online quote from... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75216#75216 Author: techntrek
Subject: 7942
Posted: 16 May 2016 at 9:50pm

Holly, get an online quote from Couch's.  I see you are already a member on their forum (you'll quickly see you'll do better hanging around here, but they can save you big money).]]> Mon, 16 May 2016 21:50:41 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75216#75216 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : First tell me if you can get or... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75213#75213 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7942
Posted: 16 May 2016 at 9:32pm

First tell me if you can get or borrow a clamp on DC ammeter? An auto store like AutoZone may have one to lend.

If not, can you locate J2 in the back outside like the Zackdog (RV.net) first picture? That would be the second best.

The third option would be to just cut the larger black wire as a guess. Cutting either black wire will disable the heater, though the wrong wire will also kill the light. If all else fails it's worth a try. You may get lucky and retain the light. Either way the heater will be dead, but you have to cut one black (or red) wire. Be sure the trailer is unplugged from shore power and one wire of the main battery is disconnected before cutting. I recommend cutting the black wire because you will not have a hot wire floating around. Tape the cut wires and sleep well.
]]> Mon, 16 May 2016 21:32:50 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75213#75213 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : I don't care if the light... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75210#75210 Author: xyzhollyxyz
Subject: 7942
Posted: 16 May 2016 at 9:13pm

I don't care if the light works or not. So, in that case, what do I do? (I can make the best homemade pizza in the world, but read a schematic, or cut a wire without electrocution - not so much!)

Salesman would not come to a price I could live with. He only came down 14% off MSRP. Owner comes in tomorrow. I don't know if I'll hear from them or not. I haven't given up the ghost yet! 

A question - salesman told me that an overhead fan could NOT be installed in the main cabin, leaving the bathroom fan as the only possible fan. Is that true? 
]]> Mon, 16 May 2016 21:13:36 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75210#75210 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Holly,You definitely are... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75209#75209 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7942
Posted: 16 May 2016 at 9:03pm

Holly,

You definitely are presenting a problem. It appears from your picture that the heater and light are hardwired together like the second diagram in the RV.net post, labeled Appendix-C. To disable the heater and leave the light you will have to cut ONE of the red wires OR ONE of the black wires. Do you have access to or can borrow a clamp on ammeter? It will look like these and must measure DC current:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_11/187-5915115-2539268?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=clamp+on+amp+meter&sprefix=clamp+on+am%2Caps%2C271

If so you can easily determine which red or black wire to cut. If not it becomes a guessing game. You could take a lead from the your second RV.net post (by Zackdog) and assume the larger wire is the heater. If you cut it and the light still works you've won. If not it can be repaired and you start over again. Or you could then go and cut the other and just live without the light. Another option is to identify J2 in the back of the fridge and disconnect it. This should disable the heater AND the light. I can't tell from the pictures what J2 looks like physically so I can't help there. If you can ID J2 and it can be disconnected that would be the easiest.

All that said we don't want to discourage you from joining the RPOD club. How was your visit to PodLand?
]]> Mon, 16 May 2016 21:03:52 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75209#75209 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Here is another discussion (on... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75206#75206 Author: xyzhollyxyz
Subject: 7942
Posted: 16 May 2016 at 7:58pm

Here is another discussion (on IRV2) with photos (not mine)

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f54/new-dometic-refrigerator-problem-113116-2.html
]]> Mon, 16 May 2016 19:58:55 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75206#75206 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Ran out and took a picture... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75205#75205 Author: xyzhollyxyz
Subject: 7942
Posted: 16 May 2016 at 7:56pm

Ran out and took a picture of the light. I pulled the connection with the black wire and the light went out. I didnt' want to yank too hard on the white plastic thing with the red wires...I have been known to break things... Cry

So, what do I (we) do to cut off that heater thing and save our battery(ies)? HELP! 
(yes, I know the light is missing - for clarity...I put it back in place when I was done)

]]> Mon, 16 May 2016 19:56:02 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75205#75205 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Originally posted by fredtello1Man...... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75201#75201 Author: techntrek
Subject: 7942
Posted: 16 May 2016 at 7:31pm

Originally posted by fredtello1

Man... I have the dometic in my 177.... same issue with battery..... where exactly do I find the proper wire to disconnect???   what color is it and where is it located....  this is really good news!!!

This is only true on the larger models with the separate freezer.
]]> Mon, 16 May 2016 19:31:20 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75201#75201 R-Pod Owner Wannabe : Originally posted by xyzhollyxyz Here... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75200#75200 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7942
Posted: 16 May 2016 at 7:25pm

Originally posted by xyzhollyxyz

[QUOTE=fredtello1]

Here is a rather lengthy discussion, along with instructions, that was had over on rv dot net. (hope the link works).





If I understand the referenced diagrams and your picture, disconnecting the two wires connected to the one side of the light WILL NOT disable the heater. It just disables the light. The correct place to disconnect the heater is at the ground block in the rear outside access  panel. On my newer model the wire is a light blue and is connected directly to the ground stud. In the referenced RV.net postings, on the first schematic, that wire appears to be brown. On the second posted schematic appears to have both heater and light hard wired in parallel. Disconnecting the ground wire in the back will disable both, but I can't read the color. You could cut the heater wire at the light, but you must get the correct wire. The heater is item K on the schematic and MAY be a blue wire. All of this can be verified with an ammeter at the battery.
]]> Mon, 16 May 2016 19:25:52 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7942&PID=75200#75200