cpaharley2008
york,pa
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Joined: 03/27/2008
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GET A SECOND BATTERY AND KEEP IT AS A RESERVE- THAT MAYBE THE SIMPLEST CURE
1992 jeep cherokee 4x4-158,000
2006 jeep crd 4x4-36,000
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt-28000
2009 Dodge Ram Hemi 4x4-900
2009 TaDa TXL-sold on Ebay
2010 Lance 1880 on order
days camped 2008-22
days camped 2009-37
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DeutscheMan
Oregon Coast
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Actually, some TV's make great chargers depending on how they are set up. Mine has dual 150amp alternators which came stock as part of the ambulance package on the F550. There is a dedicated 6 gauge cable that is independent of the 7 pin connector. It charges the trailer batteries as fast if not faster than the converter or a generator. I use four U2200 6 volt deep cycle...As I recall, it takes about 45 minutes or less of idle to fully charge from about 40%. Not suggesting you do this, just sharing an idea that works well.
Bill
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harleyfire18
Woodstock, IL
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Interesting reading here. I've often wondered about this. How would I check my 7 pin outlet to see how many amps it is giving me. I have a voltage meter and know how to check voltage but not sure how to figure out amperage. I have a F250, diesel with 2 batteries so I'm sure I have a good alternator - I dont know about the wiring going to the trailer hookup.
/\/\att
06 F250 Super Duty Lariat with a 6.0 Power Stroke Diesel pulling a 2000 27' Cedar Creek
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RV_haulr
San Bernardino County, Ca.
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I charge from the TV most of the time. My TV has a 110 amp. alternator which is better than most small generators. I am planning to install a voltage regulator like the ones used on solar panels soon in line to the 7 pin plug. The wiring on mine to the plug is 10ga. so it will handle 30 amps. I also have a battery switch that I am going to install in the TT so I can use one battery at a time if needed. The problem encountered by most TT owners charging from the TV is no control on the charging rate. Either you get too little at the TT because the battery in the TV is up and the alternator will not throw a full charge or, you get too much at the TT and toast the batteries. This project is still in the planning stages. I hope to get it up and running for the next camping season. ...RVH
27' Komfort 27T. 2005 Nissan Titan Crew Cab.
Just me and the wife.
RETIRED : Operating/Stationary Engineer
IUOE Local 501 Los Angeles,Ca.
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tafische
Memphis
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Joined: 10/14/2009
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Let me ask this - where does the Vehicle Aux feed go? Does it go to the converter first and the converter regulates the charge to the battery or does it generally go right to the battery? If you have an intelligent converter (say a charge wizard type) does it give you a better charge from a 12 volt source or does it only provide intelligence from 120v input?
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RV_haulr
San Bernardino County, Ca.
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harleyfire18 wrote:Interesting reading here. I've often wondered about this. How would I check my 7 pin outlet to see how many amps it is giving me. I have a voltage meter and know how to check voltage but not sure how to figure out amperage. I have a F250, diesel with 2 batteries so I'm sure I have a good alternator - I dont know about the wiring going to the trailer hookup.
You cannot check amps. with a volt meter alone. An amp meter has to be wired in series between the battery and the charging source. The problem getting TV's to charge trailer batteries is that the voltage regulator on the TV look at the AVERAGE voltage of both the TT battery and the TV battery. If the battery on the tow vehicle is pretty well charged, the alternator will not throw a full charge to the dead trailer battery. I am working on a way to do this on my rig. I still have some kinks to work out. I have bought some of the parts and hope to get this project done soon (Retiree's delema. Too many projects--too little time). Each battery needs to have it's own charging control. ...RVH
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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tafische wrote:Let me ask this - where does the Vehicle Aux feed go? Does it go to the converter first and the converter regulates the charge to the battery or does it generally go right to the battery? If you have an intelligent converter (say a charge wizard type) does it give you a better charge from a 12 volt source or does it only provide intelligence from 120v input?
The 12v (actually closer to 14v) from the vehicle just connects direct to the trailer battery. It does not go through the converter or get controlled by the wizard. It charges same as your vehicle battery. The only trouble is the wire to the trailer is longer and smaller so less amps get down the wire as compared to the starting battery.
The wizard controls the output voltage of the converter and only operates when the converter is powered by 120v.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
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WmHipple
Charleston, SC
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Joined: 09/22/2009
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harleyfire18 wrote:Interesting reading here. I've often wondered about this. How would I check my 7 pin outlet to see how many amps it is giving me. I have a voltage meter and know how to check voltage but not sure how to figure out amperage. I have a F250, diesel with 2 batteries so I'm sure I have a good alternator - I dont know about the wiring going to the trailer hookup.
Most Fords have a 30amp circuit fused right to the 7 pin connector. You should be able to charge at close to 30 amps. I have not tried charging batteries, but i have pulled 20-22 amps for accessories by tapping into the 7 pin connector and it handled it fine and didn't blow a fuse.
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nunogtp
NBVC, CA
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By using a battery isolator, it will force the TV to charge the primary vehicle battery first then chgarge the battery on the TT. It will always make sure both batteries are charged, yet neither battery will draw from each other.
Link to an isolator: http://www.overstock.com/Auto-Parts/High-Performance-90-amp-Battery-Isolator/3882105/product.html?cid=123620&fp=F&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=11929479
four posts= one for TT battery, one for TV battery, one for Alernator, one goes to key on power from TV.
This setup works and insures fully charged batteries for both TT and TV
2010 Skyline Nomad 261LT
2008 BMW X5
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taborekle
Clements, Md
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rrupert wrote:My Toyota Tacoma has a 400 watt inverter built in. I can plug either the trailer or a charger into it and give a quick charge if needed. This seems inefficient because of having to run the engine to use the inverter, but it sure beats paying a pile of money for a generator just to charge the batteries. I can burn allot of gas charging and still not have the expense of a generator. This also works much more efficiently than plugging the pigtail into the truck. The inverter can be used for all kinds 120 volt low wattage applications. With all the inverters that are on the market it would be easy get one to hook up in your TV.
Whats the fuse rating on this circut in the truck fuse pannel?
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