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GlueGuy
Senior Member
Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
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Posts: 2653
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Calendar Event: My adding inverter plans - Pls review and comment Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 9:03pm |
Originally posted by CharlieM
bp, Your experience is exactly why we disconnect the negative of the battery first. Glad you weren't holding the wrench firmly. |
In spite of being a "shade tree mechanic", I had never learned that important little lesson. Oh, I had a good grip on that wrench, but I was able to get my hand off it quite quickly.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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CharlieM
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797
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Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 8:57pm |
bp, Your experience is exactly why we disconnect the negative of the battery first. Glad you weren't holding the wrench firmly.
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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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GlueGuy
Senior Member
Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
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Posts: 2653
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Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 7:49pm |
When I was young and stupid, and also in the army... I had the occasion to remove the batteries from a military jeep, which is a 24V system (two 12V batteries in series). Not knowing the "correct" sequence, I put an open end wrench on the positive terminals of one of the batteries. Well, it was very secure, so I had to put some muscle into it. When it broke loose, it made direct contact with the frame of the seat (both batteries were under one of the front seats). It took less than 1 second for that wrench to become cherry red and too hot to touch. It took less than 2 seconds to completely destroy that battery. It was also very obviously destroyed, as it was swollen in all 6 directions (up, down, north, south, east, and west) and smoking. I don't know how many amps that wrench was carrying, but it was toast too. Zero to toast in 2 seconds. Hey! That's Tesla acceleration!
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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Blender Bob
Groupie
Joined: 11 Mar 2018
Location: Colorado
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Posts: 48
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Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 7:43pm |
With caution and keeping draw levels low, I set out to do some testing on just what does the R-Pod microware pull when on. First found thing I found when I used the F.R. 30a cable to take power from my test inverter to the R-Pod, was in immediate alarm from the inverter. Contacting Whistler inverter company, support there mentions that the RV probably has ground connected to white wire which signals a short to the inverter. His suggestion is to use a 2 prong plug and not 3 on the cable. Doing more research, I find a lot of discussion about grounding vs grounded: i.e. grounding boats and RVs is different. I believe the R-pod is wired for land/shore power via it power cord and trailer input. Powering via an isolated inverted w/o a true earth ground is a different story. More info in here: https://www.civicsolar.com/support/installer/articles/electrical-grounding-boats-and-rvs After much more reading, i felt comfortable using a 3 to 2 prong plug to exit the inverter and into the RV cable -- and now the RV is taking power from inverter. Yaay! I have all the circuit breakers open there is no demand. Next is to test the pull of the Microwave.
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Bob
2015 Chevy Colorado Z71
2018 178 R-pod Hood River Edition
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Blender Bob
Groupie
Joined: 11 Mar 2018
Location: Colorado
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Posts: 48
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Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 7:30pm |
Thanks Voisj for your story and suggestions. In time, I believe more battery capability solves a lot of problems. And, managing demand is equally important. On the Colorado plateau, no hair dryer needed. With desert air, you can dry off from a shower with a bandana and your hair is dry before the first beer is gone. Cheers, B.Bob
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Bob
2015 Chevy Colorado Z71
2018 178 R-pod Hood River Edition
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp
Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
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Posts: 6128
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Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 6:56pm |
Originally posted by Keith-N-Dar
Originally posted by furpod
Originally posted by Keith-N-Dar
The OP needs empirical data on this issue. With many people the need is to try and learn from the results. He is not likely to ham himself with his test, so at this point the discussion is moot.
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Well.. at the proposed draw rates, there is in fact a fair danger of fire.. but yeah, in the long run, many people have a need to do things.. me included..
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I am sure the OP knows that the wiring from the battery to the inverter needs to be ap[ropriately fused to prevent the wires from burning. If not he should forget the entire project.
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At those rates of discharge, the battery itself can "overheat". again, the higher the discharge rate, the higher the internal resistance of the battery itself.
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Keith-N-Dar
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
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Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 6:24pm |
Originally posted by furpod
Originally posted by Keith-N-Dar
The OP needs empirical data on this issue. With many people the need is to try and learn from the results. He is not likely to ham himself with his test, so at this point the discussion is moot.
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Well.. at the proposed draw rates, there is in fact a fair danger of fire.. but yeah, in the long run, many people have a need to do things.. me included..
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I am sure the OP knows that the wiring from the battery to the inverter needs to be ap[ropriately fused to prevent the wires from burning. If not he should forget the entire project.
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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150
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Olddawgsrule
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Joined: 20 Sep 2017
Location: New Hampshire
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Posts: 1014
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Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 4:47pm |
Originally posted by StephenH
If cost is acceptable, ditch the lead-acid batteries and go with lithium iron phosphate batteries. Prices are not quite as astronomical as they used to be and LiFePo4 batteries can be drained deeper and faster than Pb-acid batteries without damaging them. That might make all the difference in whether this is a success or failure.
I am curious though to see if the OP can make it work. I have a couple of small inverters--nothing big enough to even think of running the microwave.
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Lithium Ion batteries are the way of the future in my mind and will change over as soon as I find the right dealer/manufacture to buy from. Currently find Littokala as being as described and well priced. Still too expensive to go 'all the way'. Maybe during their November sale...
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voisj
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Joined: 19 Jul 2016
Location: San Luis Obispo
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Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 11:27am |
Originally posted by Blender Bob
Have new 2018 Rpod 178 with 2 deep cycle batteries (~150-180amps) and 120W solar charger. Goal is to dry camp and have 15min microwave per day, TV, and run my blender. (Nothing beats a frozen margarita after long day hiking in the sun!) No A/C or 110 Hot water, converter usage.
I plan to added a Powerjack 12000W peak 3000W LF Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter. By opening Rpod 110 circuit breakers, I can control what pulls 110v power in the RV. With proper 12v cables, I plan to have the inverter in the front storage area and use a 20a to 30a plug and existing 30amp cable to bring inverter power to the R-pod external plug. Inverter is on only when needed and storage doors are open to allow air for cooling. Thoughts? Comments? Thanks!
URL to Inverter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071RV7DWT/?coliid=I1J831L6YIO9L5&colid=NZFFQLHCHF5H&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
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Blender Bob, Here is my experience with what you are doing. I Had a 2000w/3000w inverter that I ran in my truck , ,F250 diesel with two optima batteries, I used it on the back forty to build fences, corrals and a barn, Used it for a 13 amp worm drive saw and a 15 amp roto hammer. It would work for about an hour and then I would have to run my truck and then I could go all day. Generator would have made more sense. I sold the truck and since I had it laying around I put it in the pod, I had 100w solar and 2 12volt batteries, Have since gone to 2 6-volt). The wife wanted to run a hair dryer (rarely), and I thought occasional use of the microwave, blender, tv and such would be nice. It worked well for the small stuff but drained the two 12 volts really fast with the microwave or Hair dryer (1875w) I took it out I ended up getting a 3000w inverter generator, Which we rarely use and is really quiet.
IMHO you would really need 4 6-volt golf cart batteries and more than 200w of solar, to make this work the microwave and keep it charged up for an extended stay. It's not really worth it when you could just fire up a genny for a few minutes and get 'er done. I do realize that new, or soon to be, battery/solar/equipment technology can make this feasible because there are some really cool things being done in really $$$$ all electric campervans and trailers. But i do understand the need to play with the idea!!!! rgds John
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SLOPODMODS
John&Sue,SLO,CA
2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp
Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128
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Posted: 30 Mar 2018 at 5:03pm |
Originally posted by Keith-N-Dar
The OP needs empirical data on this issue. With many people the need is to try and learn from the results. He is not likely to ham himself with his test, so at this point the discussion is moot.
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Well.. at the proposed draw rates, there is in fact a fair danger of fire.. but yeah, in the long run, many people have a need to do things.. me included..
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