R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Battery on Rpod dead
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedBattery on Rpod dead

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
Jewel59 View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 19 May 2016
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 70
Direct Link To This Post Topic: Battery on Rpod dead
    Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 8:41pm
I've had a great summer getting much use out of my Rpod.  The Rpod has sat for the last 3 weeks.  I'm taking it out Labor Day weekend.  Today I went to the covered storage where I rent a space to store the rood.  I found the lights wouldn't come on inside the Rpod.  Nothing would operate (slide out) suggesting the battery is dead.  I am planning a trip this weekend (with full hookups), will everything else remain uneffected in the Rpod even if the battery won't recharge?  I really don't have time to get a new battery.  I'm going to bring the Rpod home tomorrow and plug it in.  Hopefully the battery will revitalize. I only now learned you should disconnect the battery when the Rpod sits.  I didn't the battery would go that quick.  With that said, I left a plug in air freshener in the kitchen outlet.  Could that have discharged the battery?
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 8:54pm
If you have to store the pod where it can't be plugged in, either remove the battery, or install a battery cutoff switch as soon as possible. There are a few phantom loads in the pod that will run the battery down in a couple weeks.

And.. No the plug in didn't do anything, the outlets are on the 120v side.
Back to Top
CharlieM View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 9:02pm
The RPOD and most other modern campers have a propane detector that draws current from the battery continuously. The RPOD has a small additional load from the thermostat. These loads will deplete a battery in a few weeks. That's why you should disconnect the battery or keep a trickle charger on it when you store the Pod. Having discharged the battery once it will have a shorter life, but should recharge when you plug it in at home. Charge it over night to make sure. Depending on how you use it you may never notice the degradation. Most experts recommend not discharging  a battery more than 50% and to never leave it totally discharged for any length of time. The plugin deodorizer will have no effect because it runs on 120V, not 12V. 
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
Back to Top
Jewel59 View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 19 May 2016
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 70
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 9:26pm
Thanks for easing my mind, it can't be charged where I store it so I guess I will learn how to disconnect the battery.  Hopefully it will charge up.  I don't anticipate much use of the battery so hopefully I didn't cause it to enter into an early death.  Live and learn on this one (I'm still new with the the camper thing). I was shocked when i went into the Rpod today and no lights.  
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6326
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 9:40pm
A battery cut-off switch will simplify things for you. Otherwise, you should disconnect the NEGATIVE (-) lead from the battery. Disconnecting the POSITIVE (+) cable can cause some unexpected fireworks if it should contact metal A cut-off switch will keep you from having to mess with the battery terminals. It is not too hard to install. There are several pictures of different ones in the forum including the one shown in my mods. It has come in handy when I was doing some work where I wanted the power cut off. It has also been handy for when I had to take my R-Pod to the dealer for some warranty work.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
M&M View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 19 May 2016
Location: Middletown, NJ
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 80
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 10:19am
Jumping in here. If I have a battery cut off switch installed, and have it switched on, will the TV recharge the R-Pod battery while we're driving?  Thanks, Marty
2017 179 "Big Sexy"
2012 Honda Pilot
Back to Top
john in idaho View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 04 Nov 2014
Location: Eagle Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 611
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 10:49am
Check the water in the cells.
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 12:02pm
Originally posted by M&M

Jumping in here. If I have a battery cut off switch installed, and have it switched on, will the TV recharge the R-Pod battery while we're driving?  Thanks, Marty


If it charges them now, it will charge them then.
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6326
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 12:05pm
+1. If the switch is on, it charges. 
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
Artistlin View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 16 Apr 2014
Location: Oakland, CA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 6:41pm
If I have 2 batteries on my rPod, do I need 2 switches...one for each battery? (I am currently recharging my dead batteries that dies despite a trickle feed).

Thanks.
Cheers,
Lin
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz