Dead battery
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13301
Printed Date: 29 Apr 2024 at 4:32am
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Topic: Dead battery
Posted By: AlaskaAviator
Subject: Dead battery
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 8:11am
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After just two weeks the battery is completely dead. Only draw is the radio and the CO detector I think. This doesn't seem right. Battery was full when parked. Is this normal? I have a battery disconnect but forgot to switch it off. Battery is only weeks old. 2019 195 |
Replies:
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 8:30am
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Yes, that's to be expected. Those two appliances can easily equal a 0.2A load. 0.2A X 24hrs x 14days = 67A-Hrs = dead battery if you have the OEM group 24 battery.
------------- 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: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 10:26am
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In addition to what Charlie said, letting your battery drain completely is not good for the battery. It may recharge and be fine, I hope so, but letting this happen doesn't help the life of your battery. If you can leave the Pod hooked up to 120v when it's in storage, that works great. Remembering to flip the cutoff switch will work too. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 12:10pm
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Even with the battery disconnected, it will drain, although more slowly. If the battery is completely disconnected from any loads, it would still need to be boosted once every 4-6 weeks. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: EchoGale
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 12:26pm
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I've been wondering about this myself. I bought my camper used with batteries needing to be replaced in the near future. Its getting close to that now and I will by golf cart batteries as per advice on this forum. Before the expense though I need a plan to keep them from losing charge. My pod is parked where I have no power. My question: assuming I remember the cutoff switch, can I boost the batteries once a month by hooking them to my TV? If so, how long should that take? Thanks for any advice. Julie ------------- Julie |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 1:22pm
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If you need to store your pod where there is no power, I would consider removing the battery(ies) and put them someplace where you can trickle charge them. Another option would be a small solar-powered battery maintainer ( https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-1163-Maintainer-Controller/dp/B004Q83TGO - something like this ) ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: EchoGale
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 2:22pm
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Thanks, glue guy. The batteries are too heavy and its too far for me to move them. I've thought about the solar charger but I i think the charger would get stolen (plus i keep everything covered). So...my initial question: can I do this by hooking my TV up regularly? ------------- Julie |
Posted By: ArenaBlanca
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 2:52pm
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If you decide to "plug in" using extension cords, remember to turn off the water heater first or at least have water in it. Otherwise, you can burn out the heater element in a hurry. Don't ask me how I know this. ------------- Enjoy Life!! |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 3:23pm
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I currently own 2 Interstate 12v group size 24 deep cycle batteries for my 177. Protocol has been the same since 2011, hence these batteries are still working well after nearly 9 years: 1) remove batteries late October/early November and set on concrete floor in our unheated garage (northern Michigan) 2) clean posts and check water levels in each cell 3) 2 amp trickle charge at this time for 24 - 36 hours/battery. 4) leave both batteries hibernate during the winter - nothing done during this time 5) early May repeat step number 2 and 3 above then re-install. Works well. I planned on going with twin 6 volt batteries many years ago but the ones I currently own refuse to die so until that happens I will continue to use them. ------------- 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: mcarter
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 3:47pm
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EchoGale,
you can, in most cases use your TV to charge TT batteries if your TV is set up correctly, a multimeter will assist in determining it is working. It doesn't matter what type battery you install, without a charge or maintain capability they will drain if connected. As for how long, it is determined by the charge of the battery when you start. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 6:23pm
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You can recharge the TT battery from your TV but you're not going to like it. Several problems: typical TV wiring limits the charging current to about 10 amps from the 7 way connector on the rear. It has to do with small wire gauge between the TT battery and the 7 way connector. So if your two 6V golfers are rated around 200AH and if they are 50% discharged you would have to replace 100AH for full charge. If you could maintain the 10A rate it would you 10 hours!. If you settle for 80% recharge that would require replacing 60AH and take 6 hours at the 10A rate. However, most newer TVs regulate the charge voltage to around 13.8 volts so chances are you will not be able to maintain the 10A rate. Some of this can be overcome by using heavy copper jumper cables directly from the TV battery to the TT battery but it will still require several hours. Considering the times you will have to make the trip and how long you will sit there waiting you should reconsider the alternatives. They are two: solar trickle charger or take the batteries out and trickle charge at home. You might permanently mount a small solar charger on the roof and providing a hole in the cover. Not the best but it will work. The other alternative, taking the batteries home, is still the best tried and true method. Just be sure you reconnect them with the correct polarity in the Spring. ------------- 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: EchoGale
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 6:33pm
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Thanks! Living in Florida I won't be "putting the camper up" for the winter so I'm looking for something other than removing the batteries. Now if i can just figure how to READ that multi meter everyone said i should buy. This was helpful. ------------- Julie |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 6:48pm
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You could also just put jumper cables between your TV and TT batteries. Jumper cables should be large gauge and would allow the maximum amount of current between the two systems. Then it would be totally dependent on what the state of charge was when you start, and how robust the charging system on your TV is. The alternator on our F-150 goes well above 200 amps; IDK what your TV can do. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 7:06pm
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Yikes, FL must be a dangerous place if you have to worry about people stealing a little $70 solar trickle charger off your Pod. Are the tires and gas cylinder also in danger? Thankfully, we don't have too much of that around Dayton, NV. You can pretty much leave anything you want on your trailer and not even lock it. If it were me, I'd spring for the solar trickle charger and figure out a way fasten it to the trailer. On our old Pod, I put boat cleats along the bottom edge and tied our 100W panel to the roof with cord. Something like that could even go on top of your cover. Never had a problem, but then it ain't Florida.
------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: EchoGale
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 8:04pm
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No..the whole state of Florida is not a crime den. Jeez. Its just that, since the city made me move it from my house, it lives in a parking lot where there aren't many people around except those who go by it to go to the community dumpster. I've not had anything stolen but solar charger just sitting there not secured to anything seems like too much of an invitation (especially to the kids around). And I keep the pod covered so I can't really attach it. I'm sure there's also theft in Nevada. ------------- Julie |
Posted By: AlaskaAviator
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 9:06pm
Thanks for all the replies. I had the battery load tested this morning and it checked out fine. Just have to remember to switch the disconnect to off next time I store the trailer.
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2019 at 10:54pm
Here's another option. Pick up a cheap little generator at Harbor Freight or somewhere, and an adapter so you can plug it into the Pod. Lock it to the Pod with a bike cable, fill it up with gas and let it charge your battery until it runs out of gas. You don't have to sit there and watch it. Leave it and check back later to pick up the generator and put it away until next time, a month or two later. It'd be good for camping if it's not too loud, and for emergencies. But you only need the smallest one you're likely to be able to find to let the on board converter/charger top up the batteries. Here's a link to an Amazon generator. I think they sell this one at Harbor Freight too. There are a lot of others. http://www.amazon.com/Tailgator-63025-630253-Portable-Generator/dp/B00O39NQ96/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=generator&qid=1574916608&refinements=p_n_feature_browse-bin%3A13883099011%2Cp_n_power_source_browse-bin%3A4619670011&rnid=4619669011&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-3 - http://www.amazon.com/Tailgator-63025-630253-Portable-Generator/dp/B00O39NQ96/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=generator&qid=1574916608&refinements=p_n_feature_browse-bin%3A13883099011%2Cp_n_power_source_browse-bin%3A4619670011&rnid=4619669011&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-3 TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2019 at 12:45am
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I don't know that Florida is a "crime den", but it does have a reputation; especially for the notorious https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Man - Florida man . ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2019 at 8:23am
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EchoGale, maybe you might consider permanently attaching a small solar panel to the top of your trailer cover and running the wiring permanently under the cover to the battery area of the trailer and there you go your batteries will always be full if you remember to hook up the connections to the battery. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: EchoGale
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2019 at 10:33am
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Thanks for the help, everyone. ------------- Julie |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2019 at 11:32am
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In Fl you will probably need to recharge the batteries more than once a month even if you have nothing connected to them. Jato's experience in northern MI is not going to be what you experience. That is because the battery self discharge rate (the rate at which it loses charge with nothing connected to it) is higher the warmer it is. The rule of thumb is the rate doubles for every 10 degrees C (18 F), so your battery self discharge rate is likely 10 times or more what Jato's is. And you do not want to leave the batteries partially discharged or the plates will be damaged and they will permanently lose capacity. In your case, with no grid power at your storage site, I concur with the suggestion of adding a small solar charger mounted on the trailer permanently. If you are using dual golf cart batteries you can get a 10 watt or so solar module and connect it directly to the battery through a 5A fuse (to protect the wire from shorts) and not have to have a charge controller. To start with, check the battery water level and add distilled water as needed every two weeks until you get a good idea about how often you need to add water. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: EchoGale
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2019 at 12:35pm
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thank you ------------- Julie |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2019 at 9:45pm
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Thanks for the clarification offgrid. In responding to the OP's original issue I looked at "Alaska Aviator" and not his location in N.M. So indeed his discharge rate as well as Julie's in FL are going to be much quicker than mine in northern Michigan.
------------- 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." |