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Topic ClosedOvernight scenerio
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henryv View Drop Down
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Joined: 09 Feb 2017
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Posts: 259 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Overnight scenerio
    Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 9:13am
Let's say you are on a trip. You decide to pull into a Walmart parking lot and sleep. Should you disconnect the electric cable or not? If I run say the fan and lights (or tv), can I safely know I can start up in the morning and not need a jump start???
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voisj View Drop Down
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Posts: 471 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 9:40am
In my truck (2013 F150) there is no 12 volt power being sent to the pod when the key is off, I have checked.
SLOPODMODS
John&Sue,SLO,CA
2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
 
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Subzilla View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Jan 2017
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Posts: 302 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 9:47am
For one night, I left it plugged up.  You have the Pod battery plus the TV battery.  One night won't discharge both.  Initially, I did think about unplugging it though for the very reason you are concerned about.
Mark
Concord, NC
2017 RP 179 "Podzilla"
2011 Silverado 1500 4X4
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JandL View Drop Down
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Posts: 364 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 10:39am
You can measure pin 4 (12 volt charging) at your trailer connector on the truck and if you see 0 volts with the key out of the ignition if you see 12 volts then it will not drain your truck battery.
JandL
2013 Honda Ridgeline
2012 177
2 Paynes in a Pod
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6326 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 10:46am
I usually unplug the umbilical from the tow vehicle and then plug it back in in the morning before we leave. I try to park with the nose slightly down if the parking lot is not level and then do some leveling and raise the front of the R-Pod with the jack which means in the morning, I am back there to lower the jack. I plug the umbilical back in when I lower the jack. I don't disconnect the hitch though.

If you are not running your refrigerator on battery, you should be safe to leave it connected. Overnight should not kill your battery if all you are using are lights and fan or furnace. My parents used to have a battery isolator which ensured that trailer loads would not kill the TV battery. I know they are still available.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
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Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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pngunme View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 2:03pm
Tow vehicles charging systems are not all created equal... Some are wired to deactivate (turn off) the charge wire (1 o'clock on the tow vehicle 7-pin socket)... Some leave it on.

The only way to know is to test it... You can measure voltage on pin 4 (1 o'clock), but all you really have to do, is take a 12 volt test probe light and touch the probe ground wire to pin 1 (7 o'clock, the ground), while placing the pointy end of the probe on pin 4 (1 o'clock, the charge wire), WHILE YOUR IGNITION IS OFF.

If the probe light does NOT come on, your ignition shuts off the trailer charge wire.

If the probe light comes on, your ignition does not shut off the charge wire... And you are in danger of accidentally draining your tow vehicle battery.

Edit: corrected typo above ... Added NOT... Thanks Keith-N-Dar!
Dianna, Danny & Chester

2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River Edition
2002 Toyota Tundra
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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 2:24pm

"If the probe light does come on, your ignition shuts off the trailer charge wire."

Typo:  should read

If the probe light does not come on, your ignition shuts off the trailer charge wire.
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150
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henryv View Drop Down
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Posts: 259 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 2:37pm
All this tec talk is giving me a headache. Do I disconnect the wire or not?
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JandL View Drop Down
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Posts: 364 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 2:48pm
what vehicle to you tow your trailer with?
JandL
2013 Honda Ridgeline
2012 177
2 Paynes in a Pod
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Subzilla View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Jan 2017
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Posts: 302 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2017 at 2:49pm
I wouldn't worry about it for one night.
Mark
Concord, NC
2017 RP 179 "Podzilla"
2011 Silverado 1500 4X4
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