Dead batteries
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8248
Printed Date: 30 Oct 2025 at 8:37pm
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Topic: Dead batteries
Posted By: PodDude
Subject: Dead batteries
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2016 at 8:19pm
| Hey guys help me out with this one I installed a switch on my dual 12V batteries to cut the circuit when not in use based upon advice I got in this forum. we camped last weekend and I just went out to check things out for this weekend and the batteries were dead according to the gauge and there was no power to any of the appliances or radio. I had the key removed that complete the circuit on the battery is so I don't really understand how that could have possibly happened. it's charging now but before I hooked up the electricity I took a reading on the multi-meter and it read 12.7 to 12.72. I really have no clue what I'm doing with the multi-meter. anyways I hope it is fully charged tomorrow and no problems. we had no issues our first trip and after I brought it home I charged it and batteries were full charge for over a month so I can't quite understand. anyways any help would be appreciated thank you very much |
Replies:
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2016 at 8:42pm
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When you got back from camping did you recharge the battery's? You said "according to the gauge and there was no power", are you referring to the gauge that also monitors the water tanks? If you are referring to that one and the battery switch is in the off position that gauge will show no voltage. If the battery's are being charge the wall gauge should light all the lights when the battery button is pushed and the battery switch is on. If you have hooked directly to the battery with your volts meter and it reads 12.7 that's a good reading. If the battery charger is charging then your volt meter should read 13.6 volts at the batteries. The refrigerator is the only appliance that can run on battery power. Do your lights or bathroom fan work. ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2016 at 9:02pm
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Let me see if I understand what you said. You had the key removed that completes the circuit. Did you put the key back in before you checked things inside? When you wired the battery cutoff switch, where did you place it? Since you say you have dual 12V batteries, I am going to have to assume that you wired them properly in parallel. If so, then the switch should be placed on one of the two leads from the batteries to the R-Pod and not the connection between the two batteries. ---------Switch------- Neg Pos---------------- | | | | Neg Pos Alternate location which some prefer is to have it on the Pos lead instead of the negative. I prefer the negative as if you remove a negative lead and it touches metal, you won't get a spark like you would if a positive lead touched metal. It could also be that you got a defective switch that did not really isolate the batteries when you thought you had them switched off. Hopefully, this gives you a couple of things to check. ------------- 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: PodDude
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2016 at 10:18pm
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Posted By: PodDude
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2016 at 10:24pm
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Reading 12.66 while I'm not charging, switch in on position. Nothing working. Get a little flash on the r pod battery gauge initially. Could it be a fuse?
Edit: everything working when plugged into shore power |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2016 at 10:27pm
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Good. That is what I hoped I would see. Is the switch working properly? It does not make sense for the batteries to be reading 12.7V each and things dead inside unless the switch is either off, defective, or alternately, something like blown fuses in your power panel. Edit: Should have read more closely. You got a short flash on the panel with the switch on? Check your power panel's 12V side. Check the two 40 Amp fuses plus the rest of them to be sure. Take your meter and see if you are getting 12V at the panel. Find a grounding point for the negative (black) probe and use the positive (red) probe to touch one of the blank sockets. You may have to do each side as I am not sure which one is the positive side. You should get a reading if you have power to the panel. ------------- 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: PodDude
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2016 at 10:33pm
| Would the fact that everything works on shore power indicate the switch is OK? |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2016 at 10:37pm
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No, it wouldn't. If everything is working on shore power, it would indicate the converter is working to supply 12V to the system. You could be on shore power with no batteries and still have the 12V side working as long as the cables for the batteries did not short out. For the test, please disconnect shore power. You want to be working on battery power to test. You need to see if the batteries are supplying power, not the converter. ------------- 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: PodDude
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2016 at 10:51pm
| Well I removed the switch from the picture and everything's working. Thanks so much! Bummer though. I wonder if it's the switch, or just too much connected to the post with the zamp and everything. Could water have damaged it? I'll just have to buy another. |
Posted By: PodDude
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2016 at 10:56pm
Pics of removed switch
 
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Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2016 at 11:56pm
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I am guessing you have the “HELLA 100A Rating Battery Master Switch” $18.00 from Amazon. For me I would be leery of a battery switch that goes for $16-18. On the Hella web site it says in reference to this switch “Note: Not suitable for areas exposed to water or moisture”. I am not sure it would fit but something like a Blue Sea Systems m-Series Mini Battery Switch would be something to look at. ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2016 at 12:40am
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My guess is a bad switch. I see several similar looking switches, with similar looking key shapes, on Amazon for $7-$9. My guess is the switch got water inside and corroded so it neither isolates nor connects. That would explain the drained battery, the weak or flash reading on the gauge, and the lack of 12V operation. I agree on the $18 switch and that goes triple for a $7+ switch.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2016 at 7:06am
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Agreed also. Get a switch that is waterproof. Look at my mods for the one I use. It specifically says it is waterproof.
------------- 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: Leo B
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2016 at 7:16am
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Ditto !
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2025 Ford Transit Camper van 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: PodDude
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2016 at 8:42am
| Thanks guys I was wondering if the gauge wire I use on the jumper could be a problem too. It is very thick. The batteries on these definitely get wet, I had one that the case drain sat on the tongue so that it couldn't drain and I went out and the battery case was full of water. I was considering making some kind of rain awning. Anyway I will not be such a cheapskate on my next switch |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2016 at 9:57am
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The gauge of the jumper isn't a problem. For that short run anything #8AWG or larger (smaller number AWG) is adequate. It's also standard Pod owner procedure to drill several 1/4" holes in the battery boxes to let rain water out. They will fill up.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2016 at 10:02am
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When dealing with battery's the larger the wire gauge the better, you will less voltage drop. Also drill some hole in the bottom of your battery box to allow the water that gets in to drain out. ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: PodDude
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2016 at 10:47am
Yep that's what I did. |