https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Miscellaneous / Off-topic : Battery bank Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:42:47 +0000 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 14:03:14 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=9072 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87738#87738 Author: sailor323
Subject: 9072
Posted: 09 Feb 2017 at 2:03pm

Originally posted by nlrstate Our original battery has died (our fault).  We want to install 2 batteries so we can do more remote camping, having previously been 38+ years tent campers.  What size do we need - 2ea 6v or 2ea 12v?  Any particular brand recommendations?  If we also use propane when possible, how long will dual batteries last? Do we need a cut off switch as I've seen mentioned in some posts?

You will get more storage out of 2ea 6v than 2ea 12v especially if you go with Trojan 145s or equivalent.  We do not have a cut-off switch but solar keeps the pod's batteries charged.  Also, we plug in to house current when at home in the shade.

Also, has anyone invested in the solar panels?  Are they worth it?

  Depends on your camping style.  We have 270 watts of solar power on "Shore Leave" and could camp indefinitely without hooking up to shore power.  this includes running a 12V freezer all the time.  On the other hand if your camping routinely involves campgrounds where there is power, solar would be a waste.

]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2017 14:03:14 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87738#87738 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87423#87423 Author: techntrek
Subject: 9072
Posted: 01 Feb 2017 at 9:01pm

Good answers!]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:01:31 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87423#87423 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87293#87293 Author: jato
Subject: 9072
Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 9:25pm

I currently have 2  12v deep cycle group size 24 batteries and expect 3 - 4 days out of each depending on how cold it is, if we get cold nights (in this scenario 35-50 degrees) 3 days/battery.  Warmer nights 4 days/battery.  Would recommend acquiring 6 volt batteries, this is what I plan on doing when mine bite the dust; they are now 6 years old and still work fine but I know their end is coming.
]]> Sat, 28 Jan 2017 21:25:09 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87293#87293 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87289#87289 Author: Podster
Subject: 9072
Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 5:43pm

Originally posted by nlrstate  What size do we need - 2ea 6v or 2ea 12v?  First, we should note that battery size and rated voltage are two very different things. The ideal battery setup depends 100% on camping style. If you find yourself on shore power most of the time then a single 12v battery is good. If you find yourself off the grid more often, dual 12's are better, and dual 6v's are the best.  Any particular brand recommendations?  I'm sure there will be some recommendations, but I don't have one.  If we also use propane when possible, how long will dual batteries last?  There have been reports from off the grid campers using a single 12v battery for up to 7 days or more. The answer to this question depends on use, conservation and consumption. I would think you could go a week without much trouble at all with a dual setup.  Do we need a cut off switch as I've seen mentioned in some posts? Yes, unless you can keep the POD plugged in 24/7. A battery cut-off switch will prevent parasitic draws from discharging the batteries.  Also, has anyone invested in the solar panels?  Yes, many owners that camp off the grid use solar panels to keep the batteries charged. I have a 50w solar panel that I use when camping at the Gulf of Mexico on the Beach.  Are they worth it? Again, it depends on your intended use. Solar charger kits include more than just panels and can be quite an investment. If your camping style is such that it will leverage that investment then yes. If not, then no. Remember, a solar system only works under good sun ray conditions. Cloudy days and shaded camp spots can be a problem.  Any help will be appreciated!  We love our 2015 178 - gets us off the ground, out of the rain, and has a bathroom .  But it's small enough to keep the "camping" in our trips - we still mostly cook, eat and sit outside. We really like out 2015 178 as well. Good Luck and Have Fun!

]]> Sat, 28 Jan 2017 17:43:07 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87289#87289 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87288#87288 Author: nlrstate
Subject: 9072
Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 5:08pm

Our original battery has died (our fault).  We want to install 2 batteries so we can do more remote camping, having previously been 38+ years tent campers.  What size do we need - 2ea 6v or 2ea 12v?  Any particular brand recommendations?  If we also use propane when possible, how long will dual batteries last? Do we need a cut off switch as I've seen mentioned in some posts?

Also, has anyone invested in the solar panels?  Are they worth it?

Any help will be appreciated!  We love our 2015 178 - gets us off the ground, out of the rain, and has a bathroom .  But it's small enough to keep the "camping" in our trips - we still mostly cook, eat and sit outside.
]]> Sat, 28 Jan 2017 17:08:11 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87288#87288 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87230#87230 Author: TheBum
Subject: 9072
Posted: 27 Jan 2017 at 10:16am

Originally posted by CharlieM Furpod is also correct. With the batteries connected in parallel, technically there is a slight preference for connecting to one positive terminal and the alternate negative terminal.

...and also having the interconnect wires of the same gauge and length. That makes the inline electrical resistance the same for each battery, which means the voltage drop of the wiring will be the same.]]> Fri, 27 Jan 2017 10:16:42 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87230#87230 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87221#87221 Author: Vector1952
Subject: 9072
Posted: 26 Jan 2017 at 5:54pm

Knowledgeable...correction from my last post...]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2017 17:54:36 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87221#87221 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87220#87220 Author: Vector1952
Subject: 9072
Posted: 26 Jan 2017 at 5:53pm

Thank you for your experience and knowledge makes me more knowledge also...]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2017 17:53:06 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87220#87220 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87209#87209 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 9072
Posted: 26 Jan 2017 at 7:32am

Furpod is also correct. With the batteries connected in parallel, technically there is a slight preference for connecting to one positive terminal and the alternate negative terminal. In normal Rpod use the difference is minimal. The primary point is to connect both batteries together and use both at the same time.   ]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2017 07:32:15 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87209#87209 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87207#87207 Author: Vector1952
Subject: 9072
Posted: 25 Jan 2017 at 10:47pm

That's what I thought in November furpod said it was ok to put connections on one battery because of how to use the batt rise (see above post in November) the batteries are hooked up in paralell]]> Wed, 25 Jan 2017 22:47:02 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87207#87207 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87206#87206 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 9072
Posted: 25 Jan 2017 at 10:01pm

It's best to connect the batteries in parallel and use them both simultaneous. Peukert's Law states a battery has more capacity if discharged more slowly. When you use the batteries simultaneously the load is split between the two and you are discharging each battery at about half the total rate.]]> Wed, 25 Jan 2017 22:01:06 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87206#87206 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87204#87204 Author: Vector1952
Subject: 9072
Posted: 25 Jan 2017 at 9:09pm

Is it better to use one battery at a time or use them hooked up in parallel?]]> Wed, 25 Jan 2017 21:09:41 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=87204#87204 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=85271#85271 Author: Vector1952
Subject: 9072
Posted: 25 Nov 2016 at 11:08pm

Thank you, I want to do it right...]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2016 23:08:45 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=85271#85271 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=85268#85268 Author: Leo B
Subject: 9072
Posted: 25 Nov 2016 at 6:39pm

Good to know!]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2016 18:39:24 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=85268#85268 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=85263#85263 Author: furpod
Subject: 9072
Posted: 25 Nov 2016 at 5:15pm

Connect to the same posts that everything else is connected to. It is TECHNICALLY better to hook neg to one and pos to the other when installing dual 12v's, but within the constraints of how TT batteries are used, the way yours are hooked up is fine.]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2016 17:15:52 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=85263#85263 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=85260#85260 Author: Vector1952
Subject: 9072
Posted: 25 Nov 2016 at 3:35pm

Question...do I use the same positive and neg. from the same battery to use electric tongue jack, solar panel, etc. in a 2 battery bank I know they say to use neg. from one batt. and the positive from the other battery when charging with a charger, is this correct?... my 2 batteries from the dealer is in parallel, the trailer and electric tongue jack are connected to one battery not split between the 2 batt....confused!]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2016 15:35:20 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9072&PID=85260#85260