R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Winterization - Battery Care
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedWinterization - Battery Care
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Andyrpod190 View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 03 May 2020
Location: NH
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 40 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Winterization - Battery Care
    Posted: 25 Nov 2020 at 5:35pm

    I have a 2021 Rpod 190 just got this summer. I got it winterized at the dealer. Unfortunately you need to take the big queen out and remove the plywood for access and winterizing. Then you need to in the spring - prep it and un-winterize ot for use and tear it apart again.

   I've resigned myself to that maintenance.

   Since I have a Solar setup and also have 2 batteries I was wondering for the winter if I should take the 2 batteries out of the Rpod and put it in my heated basement. I would prefer to do that than leave my Rpod plugged in to my 30AMP service outside.  

   Does this make sense? If I do that do I need to keep a trickle charge on both batteries? If so what would you recommend for a product that I could use on both batteries inside the house?


Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
AC
Back to Top
tcj View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 05 Jul 2018
Location: Central WA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 141 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2020 at 6:32pm
Originally posted by Andyrpod190


    I have a 2021 Rpod 190 just got this summer. I got it winterized at the dealer. Unfortunately you need to take the big queen out and remove the plywood for access and winterizing. Then you need to in the spring - prep it and un-winterize ot for use and tear it apart again.

   I've resigned myself to that maintenance.
Cut the plywood and drill finger holes. Use 1X2 cut to length and screw to support where plywood is cut. Screw the long pieces down.
Don't screw the short pieces down.

It takes 15 seconds to get to the bypass valves on the water heater. Pictures worth a thousand words.
2018 R-pod 180 Hood River Edition
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6298 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2020 at 7:56pm
If you have an adequate amount of sunshine, I do not see a problem letting the solar keep the batteries charged. I keep mine plugged in. The key is to maintain the batteries. Keep an eye on the electrolyte level and add distilled water as needed. I changed to an LiFePO4 battery so that is not a concern. It still needs to be kept on a charger unless I use the disconnect I installed to disconnect all power drains. Then I could conceivably leave it for up to a year. That is something that can't be done with lead-acid batteries though.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
jato View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3237 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2020 at 9:29pm
I have a pair of 9.5 year old Interstate 12v batteries, group size 24 deep cycles.  Maintenance for these are as follows: 1) end of October - remove from 177, washed with baking soda and rinsed off.  2) check electrolyte levels and fill as needed with distilled water.  3) bring into our unheated garage (northern Michigan) and set on concrete floor.  4) 1st week in November - 2 amp trickle charge on each battery for 24 - 36 hours.  5) let batteries 'hibernate' throughout the long Michigan winter.  6) end of April or 1st week in May repeat steps 2 and 4 above.  7) return to service.  I do keep an eye on them monthly throughout winter, but with cold temps the rate of discharge is extremely low, never have had to give additional trickle charge beyond the one in November and April.  
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."
Back to Top
offgrid View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Nov 2020 at 6:41am
You can leave the batteries on solar if your solar module is mounted where it won't get stolen and not in the shade. Otherwise you can remove them. If you fully charge them before storage they won't freeze, and  Jato is right, better to leave them in a colder storage location, they will suffer less self discharge and less internal corrosion and will last longer. Check voltage and electrolyte levels and put them on charge monthly until you understand how well they maintain their charge, battery chemistry varies and so does the required charge maintenance interval.  Any 12V battery charger with say 6A or more charge capacity and a float mode will do the job, either both at once or one at a time. 

I don't remove the mattress when I winterize my 179, just prop it up and work underneath it, its a bit awkward but it doesn't take long. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz