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mario
Newbie
Joined: 20 Apr 2017
Location: MT
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Posts: 30
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Topic: Deep Charge to Batteries Posted: 31 Aug 2017 at 6:53pm |
Hello. I'm new to RVing and am wondering if the batteries in my r-pod will take a full charge either by plugging the r-pod into my house 120v or by charging the batteries as I'm driving down the road. If neither of these ways work to get a full, deep charge, do I need to buy a trickle charger specific to these deep cell batteries? Thanks ahead of time for your help.
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Tars Tarkas
Senior Member
Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
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Posts: 1447
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Posted: 31 Aug 2017 at 7:02pm |
Plugging into 120v certainly works. Pods have a great 3-stage charger built in. If you can leave you battery in the pod and hook up the pod to shore power, you're set. Plugging in to your TV while driving varies depening your vehicle and wiring. Some vehicles will charge the pod, others not so much. You'll have to give it a try. In terms of topping off the battery while driving, it's best not to have the fridge on 12v.
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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jato
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
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Posts: 3257
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Posted: 31 Aug 2017 at 8:15pm |
+! to TT post. I do use a 2 amp trickle charger for my 12v deep cycle batteries for the off season. For me in northern MI it is after my last camping episode in mid-late October thru the end of April. So in early Nov. I will throw the trickle charge on each battery(removed from the pod) sitting on the cement floor of our unheated garage. The following year, in late March/early April I will repeat the process and leave plugged in until fully charged, it may take up to 36 hours for this process. Batteries are going on year 7 and still work fine. Will put them to the test once again as we leave for RMNP for 2 weeks and will be using batteries full time.
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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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mario
Newbie
Joined: 20 Apr 2017
Location: MT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 30
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Posted: 31 Aug 2017 at 9:04pm |
So the 2 amp trickle charger works in concert with the 3 stage charger built in to the pod? Shouldn't one be able to not have to use a trickle charger and plug directly into 120v? In other words, isn't the 3 stage charger designed to charge fast at first and then eventually trickle charge as the batteries become more fully charged?
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Tars Tarkas
Senior Member
Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1447
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Posted: 31 Aug 2017 at 11:24pm |
Yes. You have it right. No need for a separate charger unless you take your battery out for the winter and want to top it off in your basement once a month.
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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eye95
Groupie
Joined: 04 Mar 2017
Location: Fairborn, OH
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Posts: 63
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Posted: 01 Sep 2017 at 7:09am |
YMMV, but my fridge is on battery while traveling. Batteries always on full charge on arrival.
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<0>
2017 178 The "eye-Pod"
2011 Nissan Titan
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mario
Newbie
Joined: 20 Apr 2017
Location: MT
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Posts: 30
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Posted: 01 Sep 2017 at 9:12am |
Thanks all.
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ModMontana
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Joined: 05 Jun 2017
Location: Montana
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Posts: 6
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Posted: 02 Sep 2017 at 12:07pm |
Read a post claiming it was better to travel with fridge on propane otherwise will drain the batteries. Any thoughts from experienced campers?
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ModMontana
2017 R-178; '11 Ford F-150 FX4
And 2 yellow golden labs
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GlueGuy
Senior Member
Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
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Posts: 2654
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Posted: 02 Sep 2017 at 1:34pm |
Originally posted by ModMontana
Read a post claiming it was better to travel with fridge on propane otherwise will drain the batteries. Any thoughts from experienced campers? |
It probably depends somewhat on your TV, and also somewhat with your comfort level with having propane running while you're on the road.
If your TV has enough charging capability, and will support charging a trailer, that can work very well.
OTOH, if the charging system on your TV is a little marginal, you may have a better experience using propane.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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bob-Pod
Newbie
Joined: 25 Sep 2016
Location: Bremerton, WA
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Posts: 16
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Posted: 02 Sep 2017 at 3:20pm |
And of course when you forget to take it off battery and are dry camping you end up wih no battery in a very short time. Not that I ever did that.
We tow with the frig on propane and have had no problems. When we were new with our first Rpod, we towed using battery and the wife's van wasn't keeping up with the drain.
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2015 RPOD 178 HRE (2015- ) 2010 RPOD 171 (2009-2015)
2010 Toyota Tacoma Quad Cab
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