Battery life off-grid

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   If you don't have a car charger get one and charge them off the tow vehicle battery. The small batteries of a phone or pad will not drain the big battery in tow vehicle. If your concerned about it discharge the TV battery then start it and vehicle alternator will recharge TV battery. Ina pinch, you can also plug trailer into TV trailer hookup and charge pod battery ,but TV will have to idle for a couple of to get a full charge. That is if trailer connector properly setup to charge as you tow. I would take some good covers or sleeping bags , because the furnace in a battery hog and will drain battery in one night probably.

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J&Jcf Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 17 Aug 2014 Location: central Florida Online Status: Offline Posts: 90	Topic: Battery life off-grid Posted: 24 Feb 2015 at 6:27pm
	If you don't have a car charger get one and charge them off the tow vehicle battery. The small batteries of a phone or pad will not drain the big battery in tow vehicle. If your concerned about it discharge the TV battery then start it and vehicle alternator will recharge TV battery. Ina pinch, you can also plug trailer into TV trailer hookup and charge pod battery ,but TV will have to idle for a couple of to get a full charge. That is if trailer connector properly setup to charge as you tow. I would take some good covers or sleeping bags , because the furnace in a battery hog and will drain battery in one night probably.
	J. - 2011 rpod 171

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 24 Feb 2015 at 5:28pm
	First question is what type/quantity batteries do have? You mention batteries plural so I assume you have two. The best solution is two 6 volt galf cart batteries in series. That will give you about 220+ Amp hours storage. If the dealer gave you the standard Gp 24 12 volt battery(ies?) you should replace them with the two golfers. Trojan T105s are the gold standard, but Interstate makes a heavy duty GC2 almost as good. Recharging cell phones and tablets are very low power; no problem recharging but the chargers should be unplugged when not in use. The biggest power user will be the furnace fan and that's a function of outside and inside temps. Will you have the tow vehicle nearby? The easiest recharge in the field is a good heavy set of jumper cables from your TV battery. Don't skimp on these. All copper, no aluminum, and #2 or #4. I would think one charge of 2 hours midway in your trip should be adequate. If the TV is not available and you switch to the golf cart batteries you should still be OK, but just a bit closer.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

1tulip Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 21 Feb 2015 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Posted: 24 Feb 2015 at 4:48pm
	I JUST got an rpod and it's my first TT. This April I need to camp off-grid for approximately 5 days/4 nights. I can expect warm days and cool to cold nights (We're talking high-desert NV.) I'll only be in the unit at night. So, some LED light use, a shower, probably set the thermostat as low as I can tolerate (maybe 30-35 degrees more than outside night temperatures)... otherwise I'll be out and about. Mainly I'm concerned that I will need to recharge my tablet and cell phone from time to time. Can the batteries on my new 171 handle handle this or do I need to invest in solar panels and solar external batteries for my devices?