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battery issues
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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3237 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: battery issues
    Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 8:06pm
Question for you Mark.  For the past 5 plus years I have run my batteries until it shows on the wall gauge 1/3  full charge.  At that point I change over to my other battery.  Yet many posts claim that you shouldn't take them below 50%.  How do you check your battery while camping (wished I asked you that at the ERU in Traverse City this summer)?  I ask that because both my batteries will be 6 years old next March and still seem to be working well even though I have made it a habit to bring them down to 33%, at least according to that gauge on the wall.  I know how inaccurate that is when it comes to showing the black and grey water levels, maybe the same for battery charge?
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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furpod View Drop Down
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Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
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Posts: 6128 		Post Options Post Options   Quote furpod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 8:29pm
The gauge on the wall is hokum. HOKUM!!

I installed a voltage monitor long ago..
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gaileee View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gaileee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 8:41pm
Thank you all!
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Mojave1 View Drop Down
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Posts: 33 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Mojave1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 8:58am
When I store my Rpod, I disconnect the wires on the negative side of the battery. 

With an inexpensive multi-meter (< $10 on eBay) you can check your battery's state. Volt DC (Vdc) reading of the following indicate state of charge: 12.6 vdc is about 100% charged; 12.4vdc abt 75%; 12.1 vdc abt 50%. 

Batteries have something known as leak voltage. Even disconnected they can lose about 10% charge a month (lead acid battery). In the disconnected state, I recharge my battery about once a month (or as needed). Battery tender (or trickle charger), another option, I believe has been discussed.

Note: Volts can be thought of as pressure and amps (Amperage) as quantity. The above testing scheme only works on a healthy battery. An unhealthy (tired) battery may read charged (Volts) but not be able to deliver enough amps. 
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Post Options Post Options   Quote techntrek Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2016 at 8:12pm
See this link:  https://www.solar-electric.com/deep-cycle-battery-faq.html

Good to read the whole thing, but just to answer the question on how to check on the battery, scroll 2/3 of the way down to the colored chart.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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PilotPodder View Drop Down
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Posts: 305 		Post Options Post Options   Quote PilotPodder Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 2021 at 8:58am
I've still have my original battery for my 2017 179 (new April 2017). I do not boon-dock and I have replaced my converter once. So I am always plugged into shore power so the battery stays charged. I likely will look at replacing it next year when it turns 5, but really haven't had a single issue with it. ~PP
Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — My RPod YouTube Videos
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6297 		Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 2021 at 9:27am
If the battery is performing well and if you get it tested and it is good, I don't see why you would need to replace it just because of time. It may last a few more years since you are not really stressing it.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
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Colt View Drop Down
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Posts: 383 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Colt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 2021 at 6:42pm
With 4 hours of full sun a day, this panel and charge controller will keep your battery fully charged.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IFJ73X4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q820UK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
John
'16 R-Pod 180
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