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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Electric questions

July 28, 2016, 2:49 pm
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Author: WillThrill
Subject: Electric questions
Posted: 28 Jul 2016 at 9:49pm

Originally posted by richtruesdale

Question about the A/C
we just bought a 2014 17 something...(I don't remember) but we LOVE it.

My question...I had it plugged in to a normal recep, ya know the standard 3 prong using an adapter.
my A/C kept going on and off every 30 seconds.

I figured that wasn't normal so turned it off.

Do I really need to install a 30 breaker and recep.  dedicated for the camper? for that not to happen.
or is something wrong with the A/C

If the breaker for the receptacle was flipped, the AC would not be able to turn itself back on, so that may not be the problem.  Something might be wrong with the AC itself or your thermostat and would have a dealer check it out.

And yes, if you want to run the AC on a normal basis, you need at least a 20 amp receptacle, and a 30 amp is better.  Unless you're quite handy with electrical work, you'll need an electrician to do it for you.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Convert Generator to run on propane

July 28, 2016, 2:54 pm
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Author: WillThrill
Subject: Convert Generator to run on propane
Posted: 28 Jul 2016 at 9:54pm

Originally posted by jato

About stale gas.  IF you can find a gas station that sells RV gas, then this does not become an issue, it is the same style gas you used to purchase in the 60's and 70's, no alcohol added.  I use it in my chain saw, wood splitter, snow thrower, string trimmer.  We have stored RV gas for over a year, it is still good, no need to add Stabil or anything else.  The only negative is that it is usually about double the price of regular unleaded.  Current price for RV gas in Traverse City is 3.85/gallon, no-lead 87 octane runs about 2.03/gallon.

'Pure' gasoline, as it is more commonly known, can go stale just as easily as the more common E-10.  In either case, the biggest enemy of storing gasoline is improperly sealed containers.  In a completely sealed container, regular E-10 gasoline will store for at least a year with no problems; I've done it myself.  Never, ever vent a gasoline container unless you are actually using the gasoline at that time.

Pure gasoline does seem to run better in 2 cycle engines such as those found in most trimmers, chain saws, etc., but it will still go stale.

If you happen to have stale gasoline, you can mix it up to 50/50 with fresh gasoline and burn it with no problems.

And regarding a propane conversion for a generator, I honestly cannot see much reason to do so in an RV context.  A five gallon gas can has more energy for the generator than does a 20# propane tank, and the former is far cheaper and easier to move around.  There is also a 10% loss of power when running a gasoline generator on propane, so that 3,100 watt generator would become a 2,790 watt generator.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Traveling with the Fridge question

July 28, 2016, 6:13 pm
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Author: techntrek
Subject: Traveling with the Fridge question
Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 1:13am

Agree with all, the 12 volt mode is a bad option for most vehicles since auto companies and aftermarket installers like U-Haul all use 12 gauge wire to supply the +12 pin on the Bargeman outlet, which isn't big enough.  Add in a depleted camper battery after a weekend off-grid and you've lost the game before you even start home.  All of the larger rigs with ammonia-absorption fridges only have propane and 120 volt modes (no 12 volt).  Just use LP and avoid the problems.  Use 120 volt mode at home and in-camp if you have an electric hookup.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Traveling with the Fridge question

July 28, 2016, 6:14 pm
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Author: techntrek
Subject: Traveling with the Fridge question
Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 1:14am

Originally posted by Shelpod

We have a problem with the frig on gas when the outside temp gets into the 50's it won't light consistently.  Usually happens at night and we can start it again in the morning.  I think it may be the regulator which makes a squeeking like sound that can be heard particularly at night.  We only use propane or 120 on ours.   The 12v circuit melted and stayed on all the time.  Ended up disconnecting the 12v heating circuit.  Ruined some rather new batteries.

There were a lot of bad regulators on the pods early-on.  Made odd noises and had supply issues.  It is cheap to replace.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Electric questions

July 28, 2016, 6:19 pm
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Author: techntrek
Subject: Electric questions
Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 1:19am

+1 on the posts to the original poster.  As for richtrusdale, I agree that isn't normal but not an issue with your supply.  You can run the pod's A/C on a 15 amp receptacle if there is nothing else on that circuit and you don't run anything else in the pod (lights are ok).
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Mounting generator on Rpod

July 29, 2016, 3:33 pm
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Author: Megan
Subject: Mounting generator on Rpod
Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 10:33pm

Thank you! We will look these over carefully.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Mounting generator on Rpod

July 29, 2016, 3:38 pm
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Author: CharlieM
Subject: Mounting generator on Rpod
Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 10:38pm

In addition to Jandl's points I would add that mounting 150# on the moment arm necessary for the generator is a really bad idea. The back end of a trailer is a very harsh environment dynamically. The bouncing encountered there amplifies any road bump like the end of a bull whip. I would expect the bumper to fail and fall off pretty quickly with the obvious results. The original RPOD bumper specification was for 150# max right on the bumper and that was a reach. I believe FR has backed off on that now. 
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : BAL Question

July 29, 2016, 4:12 pm
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Author: GIAKIN
Subject: BAL Question
Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 11:12pm

I thought the same thing the first time I used mine, but then I realized that it was not "quite" completely lowered as far as it would. When I got it down as low as it would go, it slid around the tire just fine and we were able to level the trailer quite easily,
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Awning Ideas

July 29, 2016, 4:17 pm
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Author: GIAKIN
Subject: Awning Ideas
Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 11:17pm

Wow! This is just what I have been hoping for. We love our 179,but this is the cherry on top!!!!
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : BAL Question

July 29, 2016, 4:19 pm
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Author: ron_whitt
Subject: BAL Question
Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 11:19pm

2nd summer with the BAL. Last winter I took a hydraulic (sp)jack and spread the "arms" just a smidge. I might have got a little under 1/8th inch of spread, meaning a little under 1/16 for each arm. This year I haven't had to put a piece of wood under the tires yet. I still carry a piece of thin plywood to put under the tire as a "just in case" thing...
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Running Lights Out - Others Okay

July 29, 2016, 4:50 pm
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Author: techntrek
Subject: Running Lights Out - Others Okay
Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 11:50pm

Plug your pod into your house (120 volt connection), or connect the battery.  Take the Bargeman pigtail and a short jumper wire, and using this diagram jump from the +12 pin to each light connection (left, right, running, and brake) checking each one as you go.  Might as well check all of them and not just the running lights.  If any of them are not working here, there are no fuses from the pigtail to the lights on the trailer so the problem is either inside the Bargeman connector or the wiring.  If they all work correctly the problem is on the TV side of the equation -  in the Bargeman connector, or wiring or fuses.

Was your TV wired from the factory or aftermarket?  I believe your TV has separate orange turn signals?  If so a combiner adapter was wired in so the separate turn and brake lights on the TV will operate the single brake/turn light on each side on the pod.  That adapter may have been damaged.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Electric questions

July 29, 2016, 5:12 pm
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Author: techntrek
Subject: Electric questions
Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 12:12am

Could be a weak breaker.  Also 2 different sizes of A/C have been used so yours may be larger and so on the edge especially if it is hot out.

2000 watt generator - take it to a higher altitude when it is 95 degrees out and it will loose a lot of its rated output.  Plus the A/C will be harder to start because of the heat.  Might work fine in your driveway at 70 F and 500 feet, but 5000 feet and 100+ (which we experienced on our current trip) and 2000 watts peak output won't cut it.  This is one reason I upgraded to our current Honda which is rated 3000 watts peak.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Mounting generator on Rpod

July 29, 2016, 5:15 pm
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Author: techntrek
Subject: Mounting generator on Rpod
Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 12:15am

Plus there is the problem of vibration and noise with it mounted directly to the pod and also so close.  For these reasons I carry mine on the front of our TV.  http://rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3689

A downside is it does block some airflow (but not visibility) so the engine runs warmer.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Mounting generator on Rpod

July 29, 2016, 5:40 pm
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Author: marwayne
Subject: Mounting generator on Rpod
Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 12:40am






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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : BAL Question

July 29, 2016, 11:34 pm
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Author: ToolmanJohn
Subject: BAL Question
Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 6:34am

 The small block under the tire is key just get the tire an inch or so higher, and the block is small enough that the BAL can fit around it. The you can lift the tire easily. Leave the block under there, or you might not get the BAL out later, especially if the ground is soft and the BAL settles a bit after lifting the camper.

 Also make certain you have the BAL screw greased a bit with some grease (lithium works well and sticks). If the BAL screw is dry, it will drag and be very difficult the use.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Converter voltage

August 1, 2016, 1:49 pm
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Author: dayman
Subject: Converter voltage
Posted: 01 Aug 2016 at 8:49pm

Interested in this answer! My batteries have discharged x2 down to 1/4. The only reason I noticed was the beep from the carbon monoxide detector. I have a multi meter could anyone point me on how to check the out put. 2016 179 by the way.
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Add outside access to under bunk storage

August 1, 2016, 2:01 pm
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Author: JHoffman
Subject: Add outside access to under bunk storage
Posted: 01 Aug 2016 at 9:01pm

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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Add outside access to under bunk storage

August 1, 2016, 2:06 pm
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Author: JHoffman
Subject: Add outside access to under bunk storage
Posted: 01 Aug 2016 at 9:06pm

Has anyone added an outside storage compartment door to their pod, and if so where did you get the door?  The storage area under the bunks on the 176T is hard to access from inside.  Picking up the bunk platform with mattress, sleeping bag, pillows and other missilanious items my kids pile up on it make it near impossible to get into especially the drivers side.  I was thinking that adding external access would be a great mod. 
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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Converter voltage

August 1, 2016, 2:13 pm
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Author: ronahue
Subject: Converter voltage
Posted: 01 Aug 2016 at 9:13pm

I do have a voltage meter installed above the thermostat but that is not how I noticed the problem. We had been dry camping and on day 3 I decide to charge the batteries. When I connected my Honda 2000i it immediately went off line with an overload. I restarted and found I could only charge one battery at a time (the batteries were at 12.4 volts before I started charging). I then checked voltage and found the converter was putting out 15.6 volts weather or not any batteries were connected. There were several additional steps including checks with a muti-meter but you get the picture.

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Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Converter voltage

August 1, 2016, 2:50 pm
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Author: WillThrill
Subject: Converter voltage
Posted: 01 Aug 2016 at 9:50pm

A malfunctioning converter is the only thing I can think of that would cause overly high output voltage.  Might it still be under warranty?
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