freddc1
NY-PA
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Joined: 09/10/2011
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We picked up our new Kodiak on Saturday and brought it out to the lot near the house. Still winterized but hope to get it on the road soon and we're really pleased. One of the many questions that went through my head after the orientation had to do with charging the 12v trailer battery. I know the truck will charge it on the road through the 7-pin connection but not sure if were in the cg with available power or even our generator hookup, will those charge the 12volt batteru also, or does it gets charged just from the truck? I appreciate the help. thank you.
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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Joined: 08/26/2002
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Move from folding trailer forum
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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If your TT has a converter and most do, all you have to do is plug in the cord from the Tt into the CG electrical box and the converter will charger your battery. there are basically three ways to charge the battery, from the truck whole driving down the road from the converter via the power cord and using a car battery charger hooked directly to the battery. the converter will put more amps into the battery thus charge it faster than any other mode or method
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KenandPamfromMI
Michigan
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Joined: 01/29/2012
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Yes, it will charge when plugged in at the campground (often referred to as "shore power"), or the tow vehicle, or generator, or with an adapter for your home. The battery is mainly used when you are "dry camping" meaning no hookups to water, electric, etc...it does run the fridge while traveling, but the fridge should have an automatic changeover when connected to 30 amp at the CG.
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freddc1
NY-PA
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Hi all, thanks for the quick responses, very helpful. As you can imagine, lots to remember. As to the fridge, i did ask hows it work driving down the road full of food. I'm pretty sure the salesman said i needed both 12 volt for the electronics, but it should also be running on propane for the actaul cooling. Does that sound right. It's new trailer so whatever is current in way of setup etc. thank you
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coolmom42
Middle Tennessee
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Joined: 02/18/2011
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freddc1 wrote:Hi all, thanks for the quick responses, very helpful. As you can imagine, lots to remember. As to the fridge, i did ask hows it work driving down the road full of food. I'm pretty sure the salesman said i needed both 12 volt for the electronics, but it should also be running on propane for the actaul cooling. Does that sound right. It's new trailer so whatever is current in way of setup etc. thank you
This is correct.
You need 12V power from the battery for fridge control electronics. But the actual cooling is with propane. You may have a switch that sets to "auto" that will automatically switch it to 120V when the trailer is plugged in.
We made a 3 ring binder with page protectors and put the manuals for the RV and all components in the binder. We referred to it pretty often during the first few uses. So keep it in the camper.
Most people only get 5-7 amps/hr charging through the alternator, while driving with the 7 pin connector hooked up. That is due to the small gauge & length of wiring between the alternator & battery.
2006 Toyota Sienna
Single empty-nester in Middle TN
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freddc1
NY-PA
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Thanks, thats a good idea with the manual. Probably be keeping it under my pillow first few months, but is lots of fun learning all this new stuff.
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Bonefish
Midland, TX
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Joined: 01/08/2008
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If your camper is not plugged into shore power while in storage I would disconnect the battery. Campers will have propane/CO detectors and some other items which will drain a battery in storage if not plugged in. I would disconnect the battery (mark the lead's polarity for later re-install) and take it home and charge it. A discharged battery is more likely to freeze since your are up in the northeast.
Bonefish
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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This is what I do when I am going down the road. I for one do not like running the frig on propane while driving. What we do, is I put small reusable ice packs in and around the food during the day. then at night when we park and are asleep I put the ice pack in the freezer to refreeze then start all over the next day. have never lost any food and never had a problem with the frig.
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MitchF150
Washington, the State
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Joined: 07/13/2002
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Oh no... You mentioned running your fridge on gas when driving! 
You are in for it now! 
Mitch
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