06bowtie_guy
Garson, Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 07/20/2007
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Like the topic says does the truck charge the trailer batteries when it's hooked up and running??
Finally if that is the case does the trailer draw from the trucks batteries if you park and leave the trailer plugged into the truck??
Thinking this weekend if I need to top up the batteries I could just plug in the trailer and idle the truck. Sold my noisy generator and havn't gotten a new one yet, not using much 12 volt power though so should be ok but just incase.
Thanks
2006 Chevrolet K-3500 SRW.
Duramax, Allison Combo.
Exhaust and Tuning.
1999 Terry 8245C
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jdgreen42
Silsbee, TX 77656
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Joined: 05/01/2004
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yes
Don
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bldrbuck
Boulder, Colorado
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Idling the truck will be a very slow way to charge the batteries in the trailer. A new generator is a better way.
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TnTtravelers
East Slope Sierra, California, USA
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I don't believe that the trailer draws from the truck batteries. The charge to the trailer comes from the alternator, not the batteries. Therefore, I do not believe that your battery in the TV will be drawn down to charge the trailer batteries when the TV engine is not running.
Tim and Tina (kudo too)
Livin' good, while the livin's good!
2005 Ford F350, 4x4, Crew Cab, Short box
2007 Everest 295TS 5th Wheel (Superglide hitch)
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4aSong
Northwest Arizona
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06bowtie_guy wrote:Like the topic says does the truck charge the trailer batteries when it's hooked up and running?? Yes, if wired correctly.
Finally if that is the case does the trailer draw from the trucks batteries if you park and leave the trailer plugged into the truck?? Should not, once again if wired properly.
Thinking this weekend if I need to top up the batteries I could just plug in the trailer and idle the truck. Idling the truck to charge the battery(s) is not a very efficient way to charge them. We carry a small generator for lights, microwave, charging batteries, etc. Sold my noisy generator and havn't gotten a new one yet, not using much 12 volt power though so should be ok but just incase.
Thanks
Mike and Nancy 
Tundra TRD V8 4WD
Prowler 20' Lite ( The Kramalot Inn )
EU2000i * Prodigy * McKesh * Trek
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dpgllg
South West Pennsylvania
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I see in your sig that you have a chevy. You need to make sure that the fuse has been installed in the fuse block under the hood. It seems that not all trucks are shipped with this fuse in place. Must be GM's way of saving a few bucks. My 2500 did not have it in place.
2006 2500HD Chevy 6.0 Gas Ext Cab Short Bed
2004 Flagstaff 28bhss 5th Wheel
Dear Wife, two daughters (21 & 16,) and four dogs
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Southwind85
Where I Park
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4aSong wrote:Should not, once again if wired properly.
Did someone change the basic design at some point? Granted that it's easier than dirt simple to add a relay to shut power off but that doesn't seem to be a standard design criteria. Every vehicle I've ever been around or owned has supplied power through the plug with the engine off and the key removed. Trace the wiring and it goes from the plug, direct to a fuse then direct to the main power buss. Sometimes there's a few extra terminals or alternate routing involved but electrically that's how it's wired.
Engine off + power available = battery power drain
The Good Life
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BlackSilver
East of Heaven, North of Hell
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06bowtie_guy wrote:Like the topic says does the truck charge the trailer batteries when it's hooked up and running?
YES.
06bowtie_guy wrote:
Finally if that is the case does the trailer draw from the trucks batteries if you park and leave the trailer plugged into the truck??
YES again.
Hans, KØHB & Colleen, KØCKB
Master Chief Radioman, US Navy
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'04 Prairie Schooner 34FBR Platinum XL
'08 3500HD Silverado Big Dooley LTZ Go-power by Max & Allie
My rig (Click)
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LarryJM
NoVa
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Joined: 11/09/2007
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TnTtravelers wrote:I don't believe that the trailer draws from the truck batteries. The charge to the trailer comes from the alternator, not the batteries. Therefore, I do not believe that your battery in the TV will be drawn down to charge the trailer batteries when the TV engine is not running.
Unless Ford has changed it which I doubt, there is a trailer charge relay which is only energized when the key is on or in the acc. position or the engine is runnning so the trailer charge circuit is not hot when the engine is off and the key is not in the on or acc position.
Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974. TRAILER MODS
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06bowtie_guy
Garson, Ontario, Canada
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Thanks for the replies, as I posted I'm aware a generator is the way to go but just sold a coleman one and havn't picked up a new one yet. Going for 3 days so I doubt I'll have to charge but just in case wanted to make sure.
dpgllg, yeah I know which fuse your talking about as I had to install one as well, when I'd originally installed my brake controler I didn't have power to the 12V wire @ the plug. Eventually found out that there was a plastic dummy fuse in it's place. Was having issues with power for my flat bed trailer.
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