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Topic ClosedDeep Charge to Batteries
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mario View Drop Down
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Joined: 20 Apr 2017
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Posts: 30 		Direct Link To This Post 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 View Drop Down
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post 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.

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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3257 		Direct Link To This Post 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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mario View Drop Down
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Posts: 30 		Direct Link To This Post 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 View Drop Down
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post 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.

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eye95 View Drop Down
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Posts: 63 		Direct Link To This Post 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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mario View Drop Down
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Posts: 30 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Sep 2017 at 9:12am
Thanks all.
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ModMontana View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		Direct Link To This Post 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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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2654 		Direct Link To This Post 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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bob-Pod View Drop Down
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Posts: 16 		Direct Link To This Post 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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