I need HELP!!!: Solar/Electric issue

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Solar/Electric issue

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16038
Printed Date: 20 May 2026 at 8:47pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Solar/Electric issue

Posted By: Lmyers80477@gmail.co
Subject: Solar/Electric issue
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2024 at 1:44pm

HI We are new owners of RPod 192 -2024.

We keep it at an RV park - no hookups.

The solar panel says its charged.

The lights do not turn on.

The GFCI is working, no blown fuses.

Can anyone help me?

Lisa

Replies:

Posted By: Winterpod
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2024 at 4:31pm

Did you check the battery disconnect switch to make sure it’s on

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Winter pod
2013 R-Pod 178
2007 Silverato 1500 LT.
Trek Stash 8 29er hard tail
Old Town Kayak

Posted By: Lmyers80477@gmail.co
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2024 at 8:21pm

Didn’t work. I am so frustrated. This is a brand new RPod. The solar is fully charged. The fridge runs off propane. The stove lights so the propane is working. Why won’t the fridge turn on?

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2024 at 11:04am

The fridge needs 12DC regardless of whether it's running AC, DC, or propane.

The interior lights also needs 12DC. So something is amiss with the 12VDC distribution. The first thing I'd do is verify that 12VDC is available on all the 12VDC fuses in the controller panel.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2024 at 11:40pm

A: Did you physically check to see if the battery was connected and that the polarity was correct?

B: Did you physically check the battery cut-off switch (if installed) to ensure it was turned on?

C: Did you check the power center to see if all the fuses were good, especially the two 40A ones that are the reverse-polarity protection fuses?

D: If you plug the trailer's connector to the tow vehicle, does it make any difference?

There are possibilities, but there isn't enough information to go on to say for sure what is happening. For example, GCFI outlets are not going to help diagnose problems in the DC power system. They are for AC outlets, so unless you have an inverter providing AC power, you will not see power from the AC outlets or anything else that uses AC. If there is an inverter, and it was left turned on, the battery may be shot as the inverter may have run the battery down so that it does not hold a charge properly.

First thing: Get a voltmeter. Take a reading at the battery. A nominally 12V battery at rest when fully charged should read 12.7V. If it is less than this, it is not fully charged. If it is below 11.6V then that is in dire need of charging. Below that runs the risk of the battery being damaged so that it can't hold a full charge in the future.

Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, on the other hand, have a battery protection circuit that will allow deeper discharge and will disable the battery to protect it if it is discharged deeply. Sometimes, that requires a procedure to "wake up" the BMS so that the battery can be charged. I've had that happen when the dealer neglected to turn off the battery disconnect switch while our trailer was there, Once I was able to get the BMS reactivated, it took the charge and there was no damage to the battery.

So, please help us to help you by giving more details about the problem and what steps you have taken to troubleshoot the problem.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: Lmyers80477@gmail.co
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2024 at 5:47pm

Hi. We decided to move to another campground with full hook ups. Of course everything is working now. When we take it back to the storage lot we will have the time and patience to figure it out. We’ve been camping five times since we bought it in June, no problems till now.
Thank you for all your help Stephen.
Lisa

Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2024 at 8:15am

So the fact that everything is working with shore power tells me the issue is around the battery since the converter and circuits that supply 12v to your lights and appliances are working. Your battery is either dead, not connected or the battery cut-off switch is faulty, or there is an issue with the wiring from the battery to the power center.

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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Honda SCL500

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2024 at 1:04pm

+1 What he said. Prime suspect is battery or battery connection between the battery and the converter.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS