Charging battery while connected to tow vehicle - R-pod Owners Forum

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Patriot

Newbie

Joined: 27 Jun 2016
Location: PA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 18

Topic: Charging battery while connected to tow vehicle
Posted: 30 Jun 2016 at 9:49pm

Propane it is. Thanks all.

2016 r-pod 180

Trapper John View Drop Down

Newbie

Joined: 26 May 2016
Location: St Helens OR
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11

Posted: 01 Jul 2016 at 1:19pm

We just completed our second shake-down trip and ran the fridge in our 179 from DC on both the in and out legs. The total round trip was just over 600 miles and the hamburg stayed frozen. Our tow vehicle is a 2015 Nissan Xterra equipped with 20 amp wiring throughout. I have no other comparators but based on our experience I agree that it is likely a vehicle dependent issue.

"Open the pod door, Hal!"
Trapper John in Oregon

PeasNPod

Newbie

Joined: 20 May 2017
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2

Posted: 21 May 2017 at 7:40pm

Patriot,

Hope all is going well with your set-up.

I have traveled extensively (5th wheel) with the refrigerator running on propane without any issues. To be safe, it is advised to turn the propane off when refueling your vehicle, especially if the refer is on the same side as your fuel cap.

We have a 2013 Volvo XC60 T6, and are considering an R-Pod. How well does the XC60 perform. Do you have a Weight Distributing Hitch? Do you tow in Sport Mode? Do you have the T6 or regular?

Any insights would be much appreciated.
My wife and I spent 16 months traveling a 35-foot 5th Wheel now we are looking for something small and nimble.

Thanks,
Bob

olga1913

Newbie

Joined: 23 Jul 2017
Location: Sitka, AK
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6

Posted: 14 Aug 2017 at 3:52pm

We have a 179 and tow it with a Tahoe. It has the tow package on it but out of the install the lead for the 7th pin 'hot' connection was not hard wired. That wire was shrink wrapped and secured to the frame. I had to uncoil that and hook it up. There is a 40 amp fuse for that heavier wire and it has been more than to maintain the fridge and the battery while traveling. We took the freezer component out for needed space. Good luck.

mcarter

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419

Posted: 14 Aug 2017 at 4:51pm

I have two Chevrolet products, both with 12V charging capability thru the connector, both have a 40A fuse in the under hood fuse box. Both have no issue charging TT battery and/or running reefer in 12V mode. It is very much an issue of how your TV was set up and is it adequate to provide capability.

Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Roadrunner View Drop Down

Newbie

Joined: 17 Jun 2017
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8

Posted: 14 Aug 2017 at 10:33pm

How can I check if my tv is charging the ttt battery?

Roger

Craneman

Senior Member

Joined: 12 May 2013
Location: Tokeland,wa
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 387

Posted: 14 Aug 2017 at 10:44pm

With the vehicle running check your battery on the pod ,with a VOM it should read around 13.8 volts, if it reads only 12 volts it's not charging.

Moe

Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150

Jo and Gary
2010 174
2011 Ford 150

BMac12345

Newbie

Joined: 30 Aug 2020
Location: WA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9

Posted: 20 Sep 2020 at 5:57pm

We did our first dry camping adventure two weekends ago, and the battery go down to around 1/3 by the end of the two days. By the time we got home, the battery was fully charged. The 2018 Rpod 178 has a 7-pin connector, and the 2011 Lexus RX450h has a 4-pin connector, and there’s obviously some converter we got that joins the two. So apparently the car recharges the Rpod battery while driving? Or while connected but not driving? Irritating that the owner’s manual seems to mention none of this.

offgrid

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290

Posted: 20 Sep 2020 at 6:26pm

There is no charge converter joining the two vehicles. When you are towing the alternator in your tow vehicle is charging both your TV and trailer batteries. The two batteries are connected in parallel by the 7 way connector. When camping, you should disconnect the connector so that you don't discharge the tow vehicle battery into your trailer loads. Otherwise you could end up with a dead battery in the TV at some point.

To clarify one thing, do you have a brake controller in the Lexus? A flat 4 connector doesn't provide an output to control the electric brakes. You need to have that in order to legally and safely tow a trailer the weight of ab rpod.

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

BMac12345

Newbie

Joined: 30 Aug 2020
Location: WA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9

Posted: 20 Sep 2020 at 7:03pm

A couple friends of ours told us yesterday that with just four wires, there is no way there would be power to the Rpod battery. The four wires would only control the lights on the trailer. This didn’t seem to be the case the last time we towed the Rpod. Regarding the electric brakes, I’m not sure the answer. My assumption was Lexus knew what they were doing installing the tow hitch, and the Rpod manufacturer knew what they were doing understanding that not all wiring connections will be supported by every car manufacturer. Incorrect assumption? Possibly. But I wouldn’t know what to do in order to cram 7 connections from the Rpod into just 4 on the car. Suggestions?

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Patriot Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 2016 Location: PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 18	Topic: Charging battery while connected to tow vehicle Posted: 30 Jun 2016 at 9:49pm
	Propane it is. Thanks all.
	2016 r-pod 180

Trapper John Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 26 May 2016 Location: St Helens OR Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Posted: 01 Jul 2016 at 1:19pm
	We just completed our second shake-down trip and ran the fridge in our 179 from DC on both the in and out legs. The total round trip was just over 600 miles and the hamburg stayed frozen. Our tow vehicle is a 2015 Nissan Xterra equipped with 20 amp wiring throughout. I have no other comparators but based on our experience I agree that it is likely a vehicle dependent issue.
	"Open the pod door, Hal!" Trapper John in Oregon

PeasNPod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20 May 2017 Location: Florida Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 21 May 2017 at 7:40pm
	Patriot, Hope all is going well with your set-up. I have traveled extensively (5th wheel) with the refrigerator running on propane without any issues. To be safe, it is advised to turn the propane off when refueling your vehicle, especially if the refer is on the same side as your fuel cap. We have a 2013 Volvo XC60 T6, and are considering an R-Pod. How well does the XC60 perform. Do you have a Weight Distributing Hitch? Do you tow in Sport Mode? Do you have the T6 or regular? Any insights would be much appreciated. My wife and I spent 16 months traveling a 35-foot 5th Wheel now we are looking for something small and nimble. Thanks, Bob

olga1913 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 23 Jul 2017 Location: Sitka, AK Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Posted: 14 Aug 2017 at 3:52pm
	We have a 179 and tow it with a Tahoe. It has the tow package on it but out of the install the lead for the 7th pin 'hot' connection was not hard wired. That wire was shrink wrapped and secured to the frame. I had to uncoil that and hook it up. There is a 40 amp fuse for that heavier wire and it has been more than to maintain the fridge and the battery while traveling. We took the freezer component out for needed space. Good luck.

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 14 Aug 2017 at 4:51pm
	I have two Chevrolet products, both with 12V charging capability thru the connector, both have a 40A fuse in the under hood fuse box. Both have no issue charging TT battery and/or running reefer in 12V mode. It is very much an issue of how your TV was set up and is it adequate to provide capability.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Roadrunner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Jun 2017 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Posted: 14 Aug 2017 at 10:33pm
	How can I check if my tv is charging the ttt battery?
	Roger

Craneman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2013 Location: Tokeland,wa Online Status: Offline Posts: 387	Posted: 14 Aug 2017 at 10:44pm
	With the vehicle running check your battery on the pod ,with a VOM it should read around 13.8 volts, if it reads only 12 volts it's not charging. Moe
	Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150

BMac12345 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30 Aug 2020 Location: WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 20 Sep 2020 at 5:57pm
	We did our first dry camping adventure two weekends ago, and the battery go down to around 1/3 by the end of the two days. By the time we got home, the battery was fully charged. The 2018 Rpod 178 has a 7-pin connector, and the 2011 Lexus RX450h has a 4-pin connector, and there’s obviously some converter we got that joins the two. So apparently the car recharges the Rpod battery while driving? Or while connected but not driving? Irritating that the owner’s manual seems to mention none of this.

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 20 Sep 2020 at 6:26pm
	There is no charge converter joining the two vehicles. When you are towing the alternator in your tow vehicle is charging both your TV and trailer batteries. The two batteries are connected in parallel by the 7 way connector. When camping, you should disconnect the connector so that you don't discharge the tow vehicle battery into your trailer loads. Otherwise you could end up with a dead battery in the TV at some point. To clarify one thing, do you have a brake controller in the Lexus? A flat 4 connector doesn't provide an output to control the electric brakes. You need to have that in order to legally and safely tow a trailer the weight of ab rpod.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

BMac12345 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30 Aug 2020 Location: WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 20 Sep 2020 at 7:03pm
	A couple friends of ours told us yesterday that with just four wires, there is no way there would be power to the Rpod battery. The four wires would only control the lights on the trailer. This didn’t seem to be the case the last time we towed the Rpod. Regarding the electric brakes, I’m not sure the answer. My assumption was Lexus knew what they were doing installing the tow hitch, and the Rpod manufacturer knew what they were doing understanding that not all wiring connections will be supported by every car manufacturer. Incorrect assumption? Possibly. But I wouldn’t know what to do in order to cram 7 connections from the Rpod into just 4 on the car. Suggestions?