AC THERMOSTAT MY PETS DIED - Event Date: 08 Jun 2012 - 08 Jun 2013

OMG...so sorry that happened...we just bought a 177 R-pod and also want to take our golden doodle...can someone please tell us what happened.

Originally posted by techntrek Originally posted by furpod The 'fridge can work in 12v mode only, but not for long, even with dual batteries, 10 hours or so is the longest I would let ours run in 12v.   I wouldn't go more than 30 minutes in DC mode for the fridge.  That heating element uses about 120 watts, or about 10 amps @ 12 volts.  That is an extremely large load for one battery.  Since you shouldn't go below 50% depth-of-discharge, for your typical 100-110 amp deep cycle battery that is only about 4 hours to hit that mark (not 5-6 as you might think, look up "Peukert Effect" for more info... bottom line the larger the load, you get fewer total amps from the battery).  You definitely won't get to 10 hours without ruining the battery permanently.   Sorry, off-topic, but wanted to clarify that.

While true, 4 hours worth of drain is probably the max you should go, I will point out, that the battery doesn't drain constantly running the fridge. UNLESS you are cooling a warm, empty fridge from the get go.. No one does that I hope.

Last fall, I let ours run after coming home, just sitting in the driveway, full of groceries and frozen goods.. well not full, we had just been out camping, but there was still a fair amount of stuff in there. (I always over pack socks and food)

After about 12 hours, in 75-80 degree heat, no A/C, my batteries where still at 70% or so, 12.32v. This is with dual, group 24 batteries.

Originally posted by joe & vickie   Sorry to hear of your loss. I dont know what I would do If that happened to me.  Where you were camped at, were you you hooked up to electric? If you wasn't your air conditioner wont work. The Air conditioner, Microwave & the TV only work on 110 Volt electricity, not on 12 Volt. Your lights & Smoke Detector & Gas Detector are all that work on 12 Volt.

Just an "aside FYI"..

Water Heater controls, 'fridge controls, fantatsic fan, furnace and water pump all also require/use 12v. Your 'fridge, water heater and furnace use gas and 12v at the same time, to work in 12v mode. The 'fridge can work in 12v mode only, but not for long, even with dual batteries, 10 hours or so is the longest I would let ours run in 12v.

Back on topic, I too am puzzled that we have not heard back the result of her findings/research into what happened or finding a new thermostat.. I know by now I would have resolved it and posted here to help the pod..

Hi,
  I am so sorry for your loss.  We have two very old pugs and over the years, as we have switched from one RV to another,,,it is always with the requirement of it having AC.  Pugs are very susceptible to heat issues.  We just bought our RPod and are working on its modifications before we take it out.  Our pugs always go with us.  We are not fond of the AC digital thermostat and with what happened to you,,,we are going to put that thermostat at the top of our modification list.  Please, don't let the guilt get to you.  When we had an ALiner type of RV, I also would put the Fantastic Fan on high with the thought that if the AC failed, the fan would at least get rid of the hot air.  You did what you thought would be the best.  Our thoughts go out to you.

Originally posted by techntrek   I've read your post several times and I don't understand what happened.  Was the unit set to A/C mode but it never came on?  Or was it blowing cold air when you changed the fan to high?   The reason I ask is the problem may not have been with the thermostat.  With the fan on high its possible the unit froze up - with the small volume of air inside the pods even leaving it on low could present problems.  We leave ours set to low overnight so the sound of the compressor cycling on and off doesn't wake us up and there have been several nights we've woken up to heavy condensation dripping inside.  That's never been a problem during the day when we leave the fan on auto.

I am wondering also, if the A/C unit was "on", or just the fan...?

If it is screaming hot out and we have to leave the dogs in the pod, I leave the A/C fan on low, temperature on thermostat set to 75 or so. I also leave a window open and the fantastic fan on low, vent wide open. My therory is if the A/C fails, or the breaker trips (has happened), then there will be at least some airflow through the camper. I personaly like the concept of the manual thermostst more than the auto/digital one. Easier for me to see what settings I have selected.

Also, I am not sure about the 12v comment, and that is part of what confuses me about what happened..

Regardless I hate it for you and your pups.

EDIT: My wife points out that we also, whenever leaving the dogs alone in the camper in hot weather, make sure, just before walking out, that the A/C is in fact blowing cold air..

I also think you could use a seperate thermostat, household type, just for the A/C. I note that is how our airstream is wired/controlled...