RPod with Solar Option questions
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Topic: RPod with Solar Option questions
Posted By: GCRicker
Subject: RPod with Solar Option questions
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2020 at 8:30am
I have a few questions on the RPod 190 with the factory solar option..
It comes with a 1000-watt inverter, but what outlets does it control? Does the TV work? Does the Microwave work? Do all the outlets work?
Also, I hear that the inverter is under the bed next to the water pump. Is it loud during the night when you’re trying to sleep?
How do you turn the inverter on and off, or does it automatically come on when you unplug the shore power?
Thanks.
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Replies:
Posted By: Pod_Geek
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2020 at 9:30am
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I can tell you what the factory-installed inverter in our 195 does, for what it's worth:
It powers all outlets except the one the fridge plugs in to and likely the one that powers the water heater. The TV works, but not the microwave.
Our inverter is up front under the sink, and emits a low hum. I don't think it's loud enough to bother you while you sleep.
Ours has a remote on/off switch mounted just above the microwave.
Beware...if it's the same model as ours (WFCO model WF-5110R) it has a 12-amp circuit breaker; even when it's off and in pass-through mode on shore power you're limited to 12A on that circuit. Found out the hard way by running a space heater at 100% off one of the outlets. The space heater at 50% and the TV worked. Of course the main breaker on that circuit is 15A, so it's not a huge issue.
Link to manual:
http://wfcoelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/5110R-Manual_web.pdf - http://wfcoelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/5110R-Manual_web.pdf
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2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River
2018 RAM 2500 6.4L
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Posted By: GCRicker
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2020 at 11:57am
Thanks for the great information and quick response. That's interesting that you loose 3 amps on the outlets.
I wonder if the dealer can hook up the Microwave too. The microwave is rated as 1350 watts which would be 11.25 amps. Obviously everything else would have to be turned off.
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Posted By: Pod_Geek
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2020 at 12:08pm
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I'm not sure that you can run a 1350-watt appliance using a 1000-watt inverter.
Paging the electrical experts...
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2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River
2018 RAM 2500 6.4L
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2020 at 12:23pm
Originally posted by GCRicker
Thanks for the great information and quick response. That's interesting that you loose 3 amps on the outlets.
I wonder if the dealer can hook up the Microwave too. The microwave is rated as 1350 watts which would be 11.25 amps. Obviously everything else would have to be turned off. |
Don't forget that the microwave has a pretty high startup surge current. I found that out when I was trying to run it on the Generac iX2000 generator I had. That was the first microwave. It ended up having a problem with the tone that sounds when the cooking is done, so it was replaced under warranty. Then when the RPod went to the factory for repair, the final inspection determined that the convection/microwave failed the testing so it got replaced again. This third convection/microwave will run on the generator but I sure can tell when the magnetron kicks in.
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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
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Posted By: Pod_Geek
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2020 at 12:32pm
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Found this:
3 Important Tips When Using a Microwave with a 12v Pure Sine Wave Inverter
https://powerinverter101.wordpress.com/2016/05/26/3-important-tips-when-using-a-microwave-with-a-12v-pure-sine-wave-inverter/ - https://powerinverter101.wordpress.com/2016/05/26/3-important-tips-when-using-a-microwave-with-a-12v-pure-sine-wave-inverter/
Since a 1,000 watt microwave oven will need 1,000 watts of electricity to run, you’d probably think that it’s best to get a power inverter with a capacity of 1,000 watts, right? Wrong. Take note that a microwave’s cooking power does not necessarily reflect the amount of power it requires to run continuously. If you just buy an inverter without checking the power requirements of the microwave, this might result in an overload shutdown on your inverter.
What you should do is check the back or the inside of the microwave oven to determine its power consumption. If the microwave draws 1,550 watts of electricity, you should get a 2,000 watt inverter because 1,550 watts are too much for a 1,500 watt inverter.
Also, inverters draw down batteries pretty quickly, apparently. If you're planning a lot of boondocking using the inverter you may want to consider beefing up your battery system (e.g., two 6-volts in series or even a Lithium Ion system) if you haven't already.
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2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River
2018 RAM 2500 6.4L
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2020 at 4:16pm
Even if you could run the microwave on that inverter it draws so much power that it would deplete your battery in short order. If you want to run the microwave, its best to plug in or get a genny.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2020 at 4:41pm
Originally posted by GCRicker
I have a few questions on the RPod 190 with the factory solar option..
It comes with a 1000-watt inverter, but what outlets does it control? Does the TV work? Does the Microwave work? Do all the outlets work?
Also, I hear that the inverter is under the bed next to the water pump. Is it loud during the night when you’re trying to sleep?
How do you turn the inverter on and off, or does it automatically come on when you unplug the shore power?
Thanks.
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Factory installed and not to a designated outlet seems far to small for most uses. I have a Self-installed 1000 watt inverter and plug directly into that. Currently only to charge my laptop and the occasional wife's use of hairdryer.
The question is: What do you want it to do? Then can it.. Personally, I'd want an inverter I can shut off when not using. Then again, last run (8K plus miles) it wasn't used at all (and I mainly boondock) and wondering if I will remove it...
Can you turn it off?? That would be a major point for me. Then what is it costing me compared to a quality unit I can buy and wire in.
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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
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Posted By: GCRicker
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2020 at 11:03am
Thank you all for your replies. It appears that I will have to use a 2000-watt inverter if I want to use the Microwave. That means heavier gauge wire between the batteries and the inverter too. I'll talk to my dealer about this and see what he says.
Thanks again all.
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Posted By: Pod_Geek
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2020 at 11:21am
Originally posted by GCRicker
Thank you all for your replies. It appears that I will have to use a 2000-watt inverter if I want to use the Microwave. That means heavier gauge wire between the batteries and the inverter too. I'll talk to my dealer about this and see what he says.
Thanks again all.
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Please let us know what options your dealer might offer.
I fear that running a microwave off a relatively small inverter may be, err, tricky. As mentioned it will drain your battery very quickly. We have always used a generator when off shore power to run the microwave..
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2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River
2018 RAM 2500 6.4L
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2020 at 12:50pm
Just to put some numbers to it, my microwave draws 1414 watts so it would require something like 150A at 12V assuming 20% inverter and wiring losses, which would be pretty typical. If you have a 100 amp hour lead acid battery you would consume about half of your usable 50 amp hour capacity in just 10 minutes of microwave runtime. If you really want to run the micro from your battery I suggest sticking to nuking popcorn and warming leftovers and installing a dual battery system.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posted By: GCRicker
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2020 at 1:38pm
I went to the RPod dealer this past weekend, and the good news is that I ordered the new 2020 RPod 190! It should come in around the 1st week in May. The bad news is that we talked about the microwave not being able to run on their 1000 watt inverter, and getting a 2000 watt inverter would be very costly. I guess I'm going to have to learn to cook on the stove top.
However, the big concern I have now, and my dealer's service team is investigating, is that the RPod comes with a WF-8735P converter. I was planning on using a Battleborn 1000 Amp lithium battery, but this converter is not lithium compatible, and will not fully charge lithium batteries. Has anyone upgraded their RPod to lithium and were you able to find a direct replacement for the WF-8735P converter that would work?
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Posted By: Pod_Geek
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2020 at 2:18pm
Originally posted by GCRicker
...However, the big concern I have now, and my dealer's service team is investigating, is that the RPod comes with a WF-8735P converter. I was planning on using a Battleborn 1000 Amp lithium battery, but this converter is not lithium compatible, and will not fully charge lithium batteries. Has anyone upgraded their RPod to lithium and were you able to find a direct replacement for the WF-8735P converter that would work? |
I was recently investigating this as well and found this, which is consistent with what you've stated:
Q: WFCO WF-8735P Power Center and Go Power GP-PWM-10-SQ solar controller. Compatible? Thanks.
A: The WFCO units only seem to put out around 13.6 volts when our lithium batteries are installed. Although this will put some charge into our batteries, its will be no where near the rated 35 amps and effectively turns the unit into a trickle charger. Because of this you may never see the batteries get to full and you wont be able to take advantage of the passive balancing effect of our bms that starts at just over 14 volts. We would recommend upgrading to a lithium version of converter.
The Go Power charge controllers usually work well in the AGM setting if a lithium mode is not available.
battlebornbatteries.com/charger-compatibility-table/
I too am interested in knowing the answer to your question.
Note that the solar controller does have a Li-ion setting (at least mine does) and will charge the battery based on Battleborn's comment...just not nearly as quickly as a converter would.
These threads may interest you as well:
https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f218/wfco-8955-w-lifepo4-charging-186362.html - https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f218/wfco-8955-w-lifepo4-charging-186362.html
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30012372.cfm - https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30012372.cfm
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2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River
2018 RAM 2500 6.4L
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2020 at 3:10pm
Unfortunately, it does not look like there is an upgrade for the 87xx series power center. I have the 8955 in mine and was able to swap out the WFCO 8955 MBA for a WFCO 8950L2 MBA (L for Lithium). You would likely need to remove the 8735 Power Center and install the WF-8950L2PEC Power Center if the dimensions allow. I don't know if Progressive Dynamics make something that could replace just the converter section. If so, it would likely be a floor-mounted unit instead of mounting in place of the existing converter section (if that is even removable).
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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
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Posted By: GCRicker
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2020 at 7:38am
I heard back from Progressive Dynamics about the replacement converter for the WF-8735 that will charge lithium...
"We have the PD4135KW2BV power center which replaces the WF-8735.
This model includes a manual Charge Wizard control button on the DC distribution board.
Activating "Boost" mode will allow you to fully charge your lithium battery. This is a 35 amp charger and will allow you to charge your battery in about 3 hours."
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Posted By: Pod_Geek
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2020 at 9:02am
Originally posted by GCRicker
I heard back from Progressive Dynamics about the replacement converter for the WF-8735 that will charge lithium...
"We have the PD4135KW2BV power center which replaces the WF-8735.
This model includes a manual Charge Wizard control button on the DC distribution board.
Activating "Boost" mode will allow you to fully charge your lithium battery. This is a 35 amp charger and will allow you to charge your battery in about 3 hours."
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So I did a little research this morning after seeing your post and found this post from last July:
_________________________________________________________________
My understanding (as a self-admitted amateur in this field) is that using a lithium battery with a standard RV converter or lead acid charger (multi stage included) will give you the advantage of the greater depth of discharge available with the lithium battery but you sacrifice the higher capacity of the lithium battery because for a full charge it requires higher voltage that the lead acid chargers will usually provide. So yes, it will work. But will it work "perfectly well" is subjective.But since I am not an expert in the field, I will quote the manufacturer of what has to be the most common brand of converter / charger in RVs... https://www.progressivedyn.com/frequently-asked-questions-on-converting-to-lithium-charging/ - Progressive Dynamics :
Can I Use My Present Progressive Dynamics PD9200, PD4000 or PD4500 Series Lead/Acid Units With the Charge Wizard to Charge My Lithium Battery?
Yes, if you are willing to live with an expensive battery that is only partially charged. The Normal Output voltage of the PD9200, PD4000 and PD4500 Series voltage provides only 13.6-volts and a full charge voltage for Lithium needs to be 14.4 – 14.6 Volts. The PD9200, PD4000 & PD4500 Series Charge Wizard will initially jump to 14.4-volts in the Boost Mode when first connected to 120 VAC power and will remain there until the battery voltage reaches 13.8-Volts, then automatically drops down to the Normal Mode of 13.6-Volts. The faster charge rate of Lithium means that in the Boost Mode it will reach this 13.8-Volt point after only a few minutes of recharging and then the charging current will drop to ZERO AMPS and will not add any additional charge to your Lithium Battery. This lower charge state will not damage your battery, but will eliminate most of the advantages you paid for.
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f95/need-advice-on-replacing-lead-battery-to-agm-or-lithium-89668.html - http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f95/need-advice-on-replacing-lead-battery-to-agm-or-lithium-89668.html ______________________________________________________________ More definitive advice from PD is probably needed here as to the Charge Wizard Boost Mode of the 4135 series power centers and Li-ion batteries.
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2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River
2018 RAM 2500 6.4L
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2020 at 11:07am
I think you are overthinking this, understandable because the charger manufacturers’ product literature doesn’t use the same terminology and is written by marketing types to try to differentiate their products rather than explain how they all do pretty much the same things.
The difference in how you charge Li vs Pb acid batteries is that you need to drop down to a “float” mode at about 13.6v to maintain full charge on a PbA battery. If you leave it charging at 14.4v it will consume too much water.
Li batteries are much simpler to charge than PbA’s. The float charge mode is unnecessary for the Li battery, it’s fine to take it on up to 14.4V and leave it there, in fact it results in an undercharged battery if you don’t. So, if you use a charger that drops from 14.4v to 13.6 you are leaving some of that expensive Li capacity on the table.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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