r-pod Nation Homepage R-Pod Travel Trailers At Jeff Couchs RV Nation
Forum Home Forum Home > RpodNation Downtime and Maintenance > Maintenance
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Charging Batteries
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Charging Batteries

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
Podular View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 15 Sep 2011
Location: Spokane, WA
Status: Offline
Points: 6
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Podular Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Charging Batteries
    Posted: 12 Jun 2012 at 6:08pm
We're ready to head out for the first trip of the season and I'm wondering if our deep cycle batteries will charge if we drive for 2 hours? I'm new to the fancy camping routine and don't know if maybe we need to charge the batteries up first! Thanks for your insight!Big smile
Back to Top
Tom and Carol View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 23 Aug 2010
Location: St. Cloud, FL
Status: Offline
Points: 69
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tom and Carol Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jun 2012 at 8:06pm
I always remove my battery between trips and give it a slow charge before putting it back in when ready to go again.
Tom and Carol
R-Pod 177
2006 F-150
Back to Top
jato View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Kewadin, MI
Status: Offline
Points: 209
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 7:54pm
We trickle charge our batteries for at least 12 hours/battery.  When we first got them last spring I went 24 hours/battery.  It would be best to give each of them a long and slow charge.  
God's Pod

'11 model 177

'13 Ford Explorer

Jim & Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
Back to Top
gdfaini View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 24 May 2010
Location: Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 43
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gdfaini Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jun 2012 at 1:27pm
We leave our pod plugged in to keep the battery charged.
Glenn
Hyundai Santa Fe <-> RP 173

Back to Top
this_is_nascar View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 29 Dec 2009
Location: NJ
Status: Offline
Points: 366
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote this_is_nascar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jun 2012 at 4:35pm
Originally posted by Podular Podular wrote:

We're ready to head out for the first trip of the season and I'm wondering if our deep cycle batteries will charge if we drive for 2 hours? I'm new to the fancy camping routine and don't know if maybe we need to charge the batteries up first! Thanks for your insight!Big smile
 
 
Are you heading to somewhere that has electric hookups?  If not, I wouldn't worry about anything.  If not and your battery will be sure sole source of power, you may want to start worrying.  When's the last time it's been charged?  That short 2-hour ride is going to charge enough to be worth much.  Mine always stays plugged in while parked at home.  I understand that others do not have that luxury.
 
"Ray & Connie"

- 2017 R-Pod RP-180
- 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road

Back to Top
Sixgunner View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 18 Apr 2011
Location: West Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 228
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sixgunner Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jun 2012 at 7:22pm
Agreed with Ray.

When you get where you're going, assuming you have electric hookup, the inverter will bring the battery up to charge overnight. If you're planning on dry camping, then by all means check your battery charge before departure.

Now and then, I plug my trailer in ahead of time to allow the refrigerator to cool down on AC, then let it continue on DC during a relatively short trip (2-3 hours), then connect to shore power again at the campsite.

Being old, lazy and spoiled, I find that I now require full hook up for camping. I've roughed it many times over the years, but have resigned not to do so again.

Welcome to the forum, by the way. Thumbs Up
feo fuerte y formal
Back to Top
Podular View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 15 Sep 2011
Location: Spokane, WA
Status: Offline
Points: 6
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Podular Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jun 2012 at 10:26am
I removed the batteries last Fall when winterizing our Pod. I wasn't sure if installing them in the trailer and plugging it in would recharge the batteries.
We will have electrical hook-ups where we are going but it is good to know how to get the batteries charged for the next dry camping trip!
Thanks for the information-and happy camping to everyone!Big smile
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 11.0
Copyright ©2001-2014 Web Wiz Ltd.