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Old 04-28-2019, 11:25 AM   #1
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Best way to charge trailer batteries from tow rig

My tow rig has at least 135amp alternator but from my research it looks like the 7 prong trailer wiring is only good for about 5 amps. What's a faster way to charge the batteries?



I've seen where people run 1/0 awg wire from their truck batteries all the way back to the trailer batteries and A Anderson power pole connection.


I've also seen people use 40amp 12vdc to 12vdc chargers($500). Does the charger mount under the hood or by the trailer batteries? What size cables would I use?


My travel trailer has two lead acid golf cart batteries for a combined 215 amp hours. How fast could I reasonably be able to charge them? What If I added two more batteries?
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Old 04-28-2019, 12:28 PM   #2
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I'd have to question your " 5 amp " charge rate as most truck charge systems have a 20 amp fuse for protection.

Actual charge time for the RV batteries will vary , according to the state of charge when you start towing .

More info at this site.

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)
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Old 04-28-2019, 12:37 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fritz. View Post
My travel trailer has two lead acid golf cart batteries for a combined 215 amp hours. How fast could I reasonably be able to charge them? What If I added two more batteries?
Read the charging info at the site in my first post , for your current battery set up , I'm thinking anything over 25 amp charge rate would be hard on your current battery set up.
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Old 04-28-2019, 02:04 PM   #4
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The faster you charge a battery the less cycles you will get out of it before it quits for good.

Why are your trailers batteries discharged and why the hurry to charge them?
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Old 04-28-2019, 02:41 PM   #5
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I know it's a 20 amp circuit on my truck but I've been reading anecdotal reports that people aren't getting that to the trailer.


If I run the furnace all night(or maybe two nights) along with lights and maybe a small inverter to charge the laptop I'd like to recharge my batts without driving all day the next day.
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Old 04-28-2019, 03:24 PM   #6
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I researched the DC to DC chargers a bit and sounded interesting. The way I understand some some alternators drop off charging rate after the vehicle battery is charged and just maintain the trailer battery afterwards. Here is a link to an install on a fifth wheel.

https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-...bcdc1225d.aspx
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Old 04-28-2019, 07:14 PM   #7
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Thanks, looks like they’re using 6 awg for the 25 amp unit and mounting the charger on the trailer.
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Old 04-28-2019, 08:32 PM   #8
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The fastest charge you would want to put on most flooded batteries is about a C/5 which is battery capacity divided by 5. For your 215Ah set up that would be about 43 amps. However, your batteries will be "happier" with a C/10 charge rate, so about 22 amps just as Skip426 said.
If you run larger wire on your TV and your trailer; something like #8. You could probably get nearly 20 amps thru the 7 pin. Otherwise, run big wire and use the Anderson power poles.
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