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r-pod Battery and Battery Box

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admin View Drop Down
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    Posted: 30 Mar 2009 at 8:39am
Most folks seemed surprised when they pickup their r-pod and discover that the battery is not included. Forest River does not include it with the r-pod and it is an option that the dealer can install. Owners can certainly purchase and install their own battery/box.
 
Here are photos of the recommended battery and box installation:
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wbillar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Feb 2010 at 12:38pm
Has anyone hooked up two batteries.  Does it matter if the wires from the converter go to one battery and then the second is hooked in parallel to the first battery, or should the hookup from the trailer go to opposite poles of each battery and then hook the batteries in parallel.
 
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Bill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PodPatrol Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Feb 2010 at 2:42pm
 This information can be found at http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm
 
 
 
If you have room and want to change over to the 6 volt golf cart batteries, you must make an important wiring change. Most rigs that have 2 or more 12 volt batteries have them wired in parallel. when going to the 6 volters, you must wire pairs of them in series to produce the needed 12 volts. This is actually simpler than it sounds.... see the diagrams below
 
 
When installing new batteries, first mark the cables so you do not forget which one is which when you reconnect. If you are changing over from a pair or set of 12 volt batteries to a pair or set of 6 volt batteries, some changes in cabling will be required. See the wiring drawing above for an example.. If you don't fully understand what the difference is between parallel and series wiring, It is strongly suggest that you do not attempt to do the hookup yourself... get a competent RV mechanic to show you how. If you are building a bigger battery bank, see below for wiring info...
 
 
( L x W x H) Weight/Capacity/Voltage
Group 24 10.87 X 6.58 X 9.97 53 lb. 70-85 Amp hours 12 volts
Group 27 12.60 X 6.60 X 9.97 63 lb. 85-105 Amp hours 12 volts
Group 31 12.94 X 6.74 X 9.88 68 lb. 95-125 Amp hours 12 volts
4-D 20.73 X 8.66 X 10.27 130 lb. 180-215 Amp hours 12 volts
8-D 20.62 X 10.95 X 10.17 158 lb. 225-255 Amp hours 12 volts
Golf cart & T-105 10.37 X 7.13 X 11.57 61 lb. 180 to 220 Amp hours 6 volts
L-16 11.69 X 7.13 X 16.69 114 lb. 340 to 380 Amp hours 6 volts
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote yizit Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Feb 2010 at 5:38pm
Can we have this posted in the "MODS" thread?  
Former owner of 2009 Rpod 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek 190P Conversion Van
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wbillar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Feb 2010 at 5:41pm
I want to have two 12 volt batteries. from your drawings it looks like I can just have one connected the way it is now and connect the other using the double poles on the batteries I'm considering to the + & - terminals for each battery.  I haven't seen many attempt to add 6 volt batteries to the Rpod due to the size and weight of these batteries.  I'm not planning on welding a new platform on the tongue.  I would like the additional length of battery life a second battery would add if we didn't have shore power.  I'm also considering matted batteries which don't require maintenance.
Bill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PodPatrol Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Feb 2010 at 6:13pm
This topic was created by admin, so I dare not move it !
 
The drawings were not created by me, they are something I captured from a web site (12V Side of Life). This article is very easy reading.
 
Yes, Be sure to use cables/wires of the same length when connecting the 2nd 12V battery according to the diagram. It is recommended that when upgrading to a 2 12V battery source to be sure to start off with two 12V batteries that are identical, and purchased at the same time.
 
There are alot of opinions about 12V verses 6V batteries. Of course you have to have at least 2 6V batteries (wired in series) to create the 12V needed to operate a 12V system.
 
2 12V batteries in parallel will deliver 12V but for an extended time. How much time is Totally dependent on what you are operating and for how long.
 
Extensive posts with configuration & formulas are here at the forum, if you want to get down to counting amps, volts, and recharging.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote popgoesweasel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Feb 2010 at 2:32pm
Referring back to the URL mentioned in PodPatrol on 07 Feb 2010 at 2:42pm namely:

The information about battery maintenance over the winter is right on target but the info on converters not properly charging the battery does not apply since the one in the r*pod includes the proper components for charging.

This site has other excellent articles about RVing as well.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kenn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Feb 2010 at 10:06pm
Thanks for the link. That was really informative.
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