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Topic ClosedBattery drain while In storge

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GlibGuy View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Battery drain while In storge
    Posted: 26 Sep 2016 at 7:19am
I remove my battery and put it on a trickle charger in my garage.  Is this OK or would it be better to hook up every 30 days overnight?
MICK
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Sep 2016 at 3:38pm
Originally posted by GlibGuy

I remove my battery and put it on a trickle charger in my garage.  Is this OK or would it be better to hook up every 30 days overnight?

If you do not disconnect the battery it will be discharged by the propane detector in two weeks so your options are:
  1. Leave the battery connected and leave the Pod plugged in.
  2. Leave the battery connected and plug the camper in overnight every 2 weeks.
  3. Leave the battery connected and connect a trickle charger full time.
  4. Disconnect the battery, leave it on the camper, and recharge every 60 days. This can be done by temporarily reconnecting the battery and powering the Pod overnight or with a separate charger.
  5. Bring the battery in and and connect a trickle charger full time.
  6. Bring the battery in and recharge every 60 days.

Your choice. Some are more convenient than others.

Charlie
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Sep 2016 at 5:19pm
I wouldn't recommend option 2, it will discharge too deeply between recharges.

If you do option 3 you need to be sure the trickle charge has enough output to cover what the LP detector and fridge will use each day. Easy way around that is to disconnect the battery from the pod but use the trickle charger.

For options 4 and 6, recharge every 30 days in the warmer months, or every 60 days in the middle of winter - if you leave the batter outside in the cold (which will extend its life).

We've had discussions here in the past and the consensus is you save little $ by using a trickle charger vs. the converter (and none at all if you use the converter to charge overnight every 30 days).
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Sep 2016 at 6:06pm
What Doug said. Refined by the master battery batterer. Wink
Charlie
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GlibGuy View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Sep 2016 at 9:19pm
I certainly "hang" on everything that Doug says and have learned much from this forum since I acquired my 178 last year.  My situation on using the trickle charger is that I keep my Pod in a storage warehouse (with no electric service) and it's more trouble for me to pull it home every 30 days as opposed to just bringing the battery, etc.

I'm glad to find out that I won't have to unhook and tot the battery if my next excursion is within 30 days (which is the case April through October).


MICK
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 2016 at 5:34pm
Glad to be the better battery batterer!

Thanks Mick, here to help.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2016 at 10:47pm
Thanks a ton for all of the insight!  It really helps!

R Pod 177
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