Battery capacity
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11287
Printed Date: 29 Apr 2024 at 12:41am
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Topic: Battery capacity
Posted By: dennis
Subject: Battery capacity
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 1:13pm
I have an Interstate deep cycle battery. I notice when I unplug from the house, it shows 3 red dots or 3/4 batter charge, but the little ceramic heater doesn't work on the battery? It works fine plugged up to the house. Would it help if I put in 2 batteries? Would that be the way to move up to more capacity and let me run the little ceramic heater off the battery? And run other things longer. I know I can't run the AC or Microwave. If so, which two batteries should I get? I heard the golf cart batteries are good... 
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Replies:
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 1:16pm
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Ceramic electric heater needs 110 power ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: dennis
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 2:32pm
| Also, is two 6 volt batteries better than a 12? I'm also thinking of adding what I need to go solar. The R-pod is wired for it, but I don't know how to get started? |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 2:36pm
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Golf cart batteries are good because you get more amp hours of use between charges, but it is unrelated to your use of a ceramic heater that runs on alternating current. Remember, your Pod is equipped with two distinct electric systems. One runs on 12 volt direct current [DC] and is entirely separate from your other system, which is a 120 volt alternating current [AC] system. When you are unplugged from the house, or wherever you get AC current, you are operating on only the 12v DC system. All of your lights and the heater are connected to the DC system. Your household type plugs and the air conditioner all are connected to the AC system. Appliances like the microwave, your TV, etc. are connected to AC only. Your refrigerator will run on AC or propane. It may be wired to also run on DC but it is not advisable to use that feature because it will drain your battery really fast. If you don't understand the electric system in your trailer, read the owner's manual very carefully. If that doesn't clear it up, then either get a someone to show you, watch youtube videos, or read books about electric systems in trailers. You need to understand the basics or you'll find yourself stuck without power out in the boon docks somewhere or worse yet, you can hurt yourself or others. Enjoy your Pod. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 2:39pm
Remember the amp-hour (or AH) rating on batteries is misleading WRT capacity. To get apples-to-apples comparison of different voltage batteries, you need to compensate for the voltage difference. The simple way to do this is to convert to watt-hours. As an example a 100 AH 12V battery is the same capacity as a 200 AH 6-volt battery; both are ~~ 1200 watt-hours. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 3:20pm
A 12v can equal the same as A 6v, but you require two to get to 12v.At 12v's you have twice the Ah (or wattage). Now, just due to size and construction between a 12v and a 6v, the 6v has greater capacity due to the plate size. Due to this you can drive them deeper. Example, I have dual 12v type 31's here now. 'All' 12v batteries are 'Cranking' batteries. My dual's give me 70ah. I'm switching over to dual 6v's rated at 230ah. So, IMHO, yes, 6v is better. Cost becomes the remaining factor. For me, the dual 6's cost the same as 'A' quality 12v (with no where near the amp capacity, depth of cycle, lifetime of service. There's a very good reason they're used for Solar. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 3:32pm
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What Glueguy is telling you about wattage is very important. Make a list of what you want to run 'by wattage' and convert to DC power. What will use in amperage on your battery. Example we used to use when the new comers to solar years back: A 100w light bulb on 110v will barely use an amp. Yet with run through you inverter on dc (12v) it will use just over 8amps. Factoring from wattage and converting is very important. Glue is spot on with this! ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 3:39pm
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dennis, you can find lots of discussion about 6 vs. 12 volt batteries on the board. Basically, connecting two 6 volt batteries in series, gives you 12 volts. The advantage is that then you gain a lot more amp hours, or time of use. The down side is that 6 volt golf cart batteries are heavy and weight can be an issue if you're loading lots of stuff in your Pod. By the way, welcome to the board. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 3:44pm
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"but the little ceramic heater doesn't work on the battery?".. If your heater is the typical 1500w units sold out there it would use 12.5amps on 120v system. On your 12v system (through the inverter) it requires 125amps to run. I doubt your 12v battery, at full strength is strong enough to even run it for 5 minutes. For Solar, you need to start with what you wish to run. Knowing your wattage will tell you the size of panel for recovery. Yes, there's a bit more to it, but if you factor a 50% return and size/use accordingly it's a good place to start looking at costs. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 4:15pm
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The reason why "two GC2's is the best answer" is used on this board is, that that is the most aH's you can get and mount, on the factory supplied battery tray, without modification. The sky is the limit if you want to modify the mounting point/tray. Converting 12v to 120v, at the rate and amps you would need to run a ceramic heater is a whole area not suited to podding. Up your 12v storage, figure out a recharge plan, solar or genny, and use the cabin heater the Pod was built with. It uses way more 12v then it does propane. On the panel lights question.. 4 lights is what it will show when charging/hooked up to shore power. 3 lights is a "full battery" ie: at least 12.6v in the system. ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 5:33pm
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And if the sky is the limit, Lithium Iron Phosphate will give you more usable power for a fraction of the weight. NexGen has a 12V 200AH LiFePo4 battery for $2,389.99. A 12V 100AH version is $1245.99 and a 50AH version is $679.99. Understand that LiFePo4 batteries can be discharged much deeper than typical flooded or AGM batteries and recharge faster. They also have a 5,000 cycle lifespan. I have dual 6V flooded cell batteries. I really would like to upgrade to a Lithium battery, but that is a little out of reach still. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: dennis
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 5:42pm
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Oldawgsrule, you said...So, IMHO, yes, 6v is better.
Cost becomes the remaining factor. For me, the dual 6's cost the same as 'A' quality 12v (with no where near the amp capacity, depth of cycle, lifetime of service. There's a very good reason they're used for Solar. Are you saying I should get two 6v golf batteries to get longer use and if I want to use solar? if so, which do you recommend? I just noticed today there is space for 2 batteries. I assume that's by design. So I also assume it will be a step up from what I have? |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 6:57pm
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Dennis, the direct current side if an RPod electrical system s 12 volts. If you connect two six volt batteries in series it makes 12 volts. The advantage of this is you can increase the storage capaity of your battery by doing this and therefore the length of time the charge will last when you are using it. You need to learn more about electricity before you start making these changes and additions. If you can find a mentor close to where you live that can help you that would be the best. As another poster said you need to understand the system or you could wind up damaging your Pod or worse hurting yourself or others. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2018 at 7:43pm
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You can get two 12V batteries about the same size and watt-hours of a pair of 6V GC batteries. The problem is that they will cost a lot more. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: dennis
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 6:50am
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Thanks for all the helpful tips. ------------- |
Posted By: SC for Huskers
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 7:16am
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I hear everyone and understand what has been said. Let me say, in my 70 plus years, I have had two car batteries go open with broken posts inside the case. That is a sudden loss of power. The way I look at it, if I'm going to be relying on a power storage source, I would rather NOT have a 6v go open thus leaving me dead in the desert. If I have one 12v go bad, I have time to make it to town for a replacement. Just my take on it. Good Luck All. ------------- Happy Traveling, Tom 2017 172pod 2011 F150 STX |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 7:33am
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Several years back, we were camping at Fort Wilderness in Disney. The day we were supposed to be heading out went to start the car and it was beyond dead. CG staff quickly came by and tried to jump it and it just wouldn't work. So we took our interstate deep cell from the camper, put it in the van, kicked right over, drove to a near by Walmart and got a new battery, put the interstate back in the camper and headed off to Lion Country safari. It is like having a little extra security. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 8:21am
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+1 Leo, exactly why I never considered two 6s. One 6 is useless and 2 6s can only be used in Pod. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 9:34am
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I guess that's a good point. A pair of 12V batteries in parallel or using one as a spare would be more fail safe than a pair of 6V batteries. If one of the 12V batteries dies, the other one could still be used. The added bonus of having an emergency backup for your tow vehicle is something that I had not considered. If one of the 6V batteries goes out on you, you are stuck.
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 10:05am
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It was a big plus, not sure if this is true but one of the guys that tried to help that day said that the Florida sun/heat kills a lot of car batteries..................our was only 3 years old but it died. that year if was unusually hot for October and was in the high 90's. Either way, having the 12 v save me some hassle. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 11:24am
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I was talking to my brother-in-law last night. He's got a huge class A motorhome. We were discussing the advantage to using 6 volt golf cart batteries, both for purposes of available amp hours and battery longevity. By coincidence we both are using Costco 6 volt golf cart batteries. After 12 years of pretty heavy use, he's replacing the bank of 4 at about $85 each. He did say that he was very careful about keeping the battery water level always topped off. I figured he knew a lot more than me since he's a retired electronic engineer. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: texman
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 11:26am
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FWIW i have an 80watt zamp panel that has served me well. The zamps are more expensive than doing it yourself or other products. But for most needs, an 80-100 watt panel should serve you well given normal loads and decent sunlight. As you said, the pod is prewired for solar and the zamp is plug and play, nothing to figure out other than point at the sun. All of this electrical, battery and solar talk only matters if you boondock(no shore power for extended period, say 3 days to equal extended) If you plan to boondock, you want a dual battery setup (either 6 or 12volt) and a solar panel. Again, i have an 80 watt and don't even drain my batteries to 75% when boondocking. The electrical part of all of this is the biggest learning curve for me. Generators also negate the need for all this discussion and planning as well, but then there is the noise. But if you want the a/c while boondocking, you have to have a generator. Hope this helps. Also, while the dual 6 setup is of no use in the car, they should still boost the car to start given the pickle discussed above. ------------- TexMan 2015 182g 2018 Sequoia http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9122&title=texman-182g-mods - TexManMods |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 11:28am
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Well we are going into season 8 with the original 2 - 6 v set up. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 4:21pm
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Probably 1 step behind marwayne as we are commencing year 8 with our original 2 - 12 v set up. We do monitor water levels a couple times a year, as I am sure marwayne does as well.
------------- 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." |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 4:39pm
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I take my batteries out for the winter, heated garage. Come spring back in the pod, but always indoors. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 4:53pm
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Dennis, here's where I sit. For $239 I can buy a 12v deep cycle battery that rates out at 105ah. I have expected 105 amps to play with. I'm buying two 6v (true deep cycle) batteries for $200 that rate out at 230ah. 230 amps to play with. That's twice the power for the same money. Now what's expected and what you get are two different things. 12v batteries of average can only be drawn down 20% +- before you get below running voltage. Also really meant as dual (meaning cranking and deep cycle). 6v batteries, again on average can be drawn down 50% +- depending on usage. Also meant just for slow draws. This is where 'you' need to think about what you really wish to run from your batteries. Ac or that heater are hard draws the 6v's really doesn't want to do. On that line, replacing power needs to be in the same duty cycle as your use. You draw hard on them, they need to be re-charged hard. 12v batteries love this stuff. 6v's not so much. Batteries have a natural cycle they go through. They build up sulfate as they dis-charge and dissolve the sulfate as they charge. You draw hard and replace slow, you continually built sulfate on the plates. Important not only to maintain (either) but how you use. Only you can determine what is right for you, according to 'your' usage. Or you can show us the list of items, by wattage/voltage and we may be able to assist. That list will determine if you need a generator or can survive with solar/other means. Hey, the only mistake we can make... Is not going camping! ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: Our pod
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 6:53pm
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We often do six days boondocking on a single 12V battery with a Zamp panel (45W?) to top off the battery each day. No AC, no TV, but to us it's more enjoyable without the noise. So figure out your power needs a and build on that. ------------- Life is good. |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2018 at 7:12pm
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Another option is to get two 12 v. deep cycle marine batteries and switch from one to another as you drain them, there are plenty of switches available that allow you to switch back and forth. In the long run it'll probably be more expensive than the $170 +/- for the Costco 6 v. pair. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Denver poddie
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2018 at 9:12pm
| Hey I am new to RV battery stuff and I have read this thread three times over and also with some online research starting to get up to speed, so deciding on what the best set up for the rpod moving forward I have a question- looks like if I go two 6v at 205 ah I get 2,460 ah total ah capacity, if I go 12v 210 ah I get 2,520 ah capacity, so it seems to make sense to go with the 12v 210 ah because it will be less expensive and less weight- Any thoughts are comments would be appreciated |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2018 at 9:55pm
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It isn't quite so simple. I don't think you are going to find a 12V 210AH battery. For example, the Duracell Ultra Deep Cycle for Deep Cycle 12V RV SI78AGM which is the highest capacity battery I saw on Batteries + Bulbs has a 20 hour rate of 105AH. That doubled is 210AH which is less than the 215AH of the 6V GC2 GLIGC110 batteries I have. While it is true that one of these is less than the two 6V batteries I have, two of them is significantly more, even with the current 10% off for ordering online and picking up in store. Even with the current $10 rebate on the 12V batteries, it would cost significantly more than the GC2 batteries. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Denver poddie
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 9:10am
Posted By: Denver poddie
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 9:49am
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Hey Stephen, thanks for the input, check out this interstate battery I found, unless I am reading it wrong it has 210 ah, if you could check it out for me - interstate deep cycle SRM -29 https://www.interstatebatteries.com/products/srm-29?productLine=rv&subcategoryKey=&ignorecategoryid=true
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Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 12:46pm
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Group 29 weighs 60 pounds, is 13 X 6 3/4 X 10 inches, Group 24 weighs 46 pounds, measures 11 X 6 7/8 X 9 1/2. Two 6V golf cart batteries weigh 61 pounds. Might be simplest to just upgrade to Group 29 unless you are really serious about batteries, which I am not. Does the built-in R-Pod battery charger have the 'oomph' to keep a Group 29 charged?
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 1:21pm
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The Interstate battery looks interesting. Make sure it will fit in the battery bracket. Interstate's site does not do an "apples to apples" comparison for "reserve capacity." The usual rate for comparing is the 20 hour rate. That is not addressed on Interstate's site for their 12V Deep Cycle batteries. I would be interested to see what the 20 hour rate is. It might not be quite so attractive. Compare the GC2 batteries on their site and see that while the 25 hour rate for the GC batteries are 447 and 383, the 20 hour rates are 225 and 210 which is significantly less. I think you would find the 20 hour rate to be about half the 210 AH 25 hour reserve capacity or about 100 AH. That makes the Interstate batteries much less attractive. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 2:25pm
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Two group 29's will not fit on the factory rack. The most amp hours for an unmodified mounting solution is 2 GC2's. If planning on a single 12v solution for more aH's.. go with a deep cycle marine group 29 or 31. 1 of them will fit. Battery capacity and robustness is very tightly linked to weight.. generally a heavier battery is "better".. Please note, 2 golf cart batteries do not weigh 61 pounds.. they weigh 61 pounds +/- EACH. ------------- |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 5:37pm
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Time out here. Reserve capacity is Minutes at the specified current, not ampere-hours. The specified 210 reserve capacity is 210 minutes at a 25 Amp load (210/60 * 25= 87.5 AH). Given the 59.7 pound weight that's about right but a little low for a good Gr 29 deep cycle battery. As Furpod notes, battery capacity energy storage is roughly proportional to weight: more lead equals more energy storage. Two true deep cycle 12V batteries weighing a total of 120 pounds will store about the same energy as two 6V golfers. No free lunches here. Such deep cycle 12V batteries are available but they are hard to find. Battery cells like to operate in series, not parallel. Then all cells charge and discharge equally. The only advantage of parallel 12V batteries is redundancy in case of failure. Swapping two 12V batteries in and out forfeits a percentage of available capacity due to Peukert's Law. For a given capacity two 6V golfers in series is the best way to go. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Denver poddie
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 8:20pm
Posted By: Denver poddie
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 8:24pm
| Ok thanks all for the input! looks I am going to two 6v GC batteries, one last question what brand/battery should I go with? Stephen what brand are u running couldn't tell- Duracell? |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 8:39pm
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Duracell from Batteries + Bulbs, 215AH SLIGC110 $89.99. Order online for pickup in store and save 10%. If you are a Sam's Club member, check their site. I don't know if it would be any less expensive there but they do have GC2 batteries listed at $84.52. Don't forget to add the core charge that your state requires plus any taxes for the final cost. For where I am in NC, the core deposit (refundable) is $21 each. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Denver poddie
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 9:33pm
| Ok thanks those are good prices, can you remember where and what you bought for your battery box for this set up |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2018 at 10:48pm
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I bought two inexpensive ones at Walmart. I would rather have had a single box that could hold both, but those are rather expensive. See my mods for pictures of what I have.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |