Community Forums

AnotherMike · 02-23-2020, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Get a test light or volt meter and test for voltage on one of the trailer plugs pins of the TV, with the key on.
As long as the lights are off and no one is stepping on the braked, the hot one is the trailer feed charge line.

Now turn off the key and see if the power goes away. If it does, its a switched circuit.

And if it is switched then you are OK - you won't discharge the truck battery.

If it is constant 12v (i.e. not switched), then just unplug the trailer from the TV while parked.

Mike

Danattherock · 02-24-2020, 06:40 PM

Thanks guys, very helpful. I had not heard that the TV battery could be depleted this way.

dustyone · 02-25-2020, 02:32 PM

I was towing with an 2002 1/2 ton. I wasn't needing to unhook at a nice little campground in W Va. I connected to pedestal and enjoyed the area. Two days later we went to leave and dead battery. The power surged in the middle or the first night. We didn't think about it tripping breaker. 4 hrs later off we go. The tt will also charge tv if direct connected.

CharlesinGA · 03-04-2020, 11:54 PM

Run #2 wire from tow vehicle battery up front to a 175 amp Anderson connector at the rear bumper. (be sure and put a good bolt down MIDI fuse or similar adjacent to the battery, 60 amp works well for a 40 amp charger) Run a ground wire from a good clean connection on the frame to the Anderson connector. Install a like Anderson connector on the trailer with #4 wire (you only use the #2 on the truck due to the length of the run, to prevent voltage loss). The #4 wires go to a Battery to Battery charger mounted in the trailer, 40 amp is a good size, Redarc is probably the best, Renogy also makes them. The B2B charger will boost voltage if needed, and reduce it if needed, to give you a three stage charge like a good power converter does. It also will not drain the vehicles battery if the tow vehicle is turned off as it has a low voltage cutout that shuts it off below about 13 volts. It also prevents back current from the trailer battery to the tow vehicle. The B2B charger is very necessary for newer tow vehicles with computer controlled voltage regulation as they do not run high enough voltage to properly bulk charge a trailer battery, but do have the capability to boost the voltage.

This will charge the trailer battery just like it was plugged into shore power and the converter were charging it. The best B2B chargers also have MPPT solar input.

https://redarcelectronics.com/produc...attery-charger

The 12 volt in the 7 pin connector is childs play, intended to charge a sealed lead acid battery sometimes used on utility trailers or other trailers with electric brakes and needing a battery for break away actuation and nothing else. You will not get your TT batteries charged with this tiny wire running that long distance.

Charles

01tundra · 03-05-2020, 10:02 AM

One way is to use a DC-DC Converter such as a Victron Orion.

Danattherock · 03-05-2020, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

Run #2 wire from tow vehicle battery up front...

Charles,

I'm very interested in the Redarc battery to battery charger. Just got my first TT Tuesday, No Boundaries 19.3, two interstate batteries, 150 watt solar panel on roof, 1000 W inverter. This Redarc unit states it connects to solar also. In my case would I continue using my onboard solar charger, or does this Redarc B2B interfere with the systems current configuration?

I will probably buy the unit online and get it installed at a local dealer but wanted to know what to expect before I trust them with my new travel trailer. My goal is to fully charge the batteries while driving between boondocking sites. Thanks for any thoughts.

Dan
NC

CharlesinGA · 03-18-2020, 08:27 AM

The Redarc unit is the charger. Has MPPT technology to regulate the solar and combine it if necessary with the input from the vehicle 12v. The Redarc is sealed and can be mounted in exposed conditions, but I would put it inside of something to give it some protection.

Redarc expects you to use this with portable solar panels, so If you have roof mounted ones and the solar charge controller, I think I would leave the existing solar controller in place and use the Redarc just for tow vehicle to battery charging (and additional solar panels if needed.

I am NOT a solar expert by any means, and an email to Redarc would be wise before deciding what to do. There are other Battery to battery chargers on the market, Renogy, and others, but I like the Redarc because of it being sealed and all of the Aussies that talk about Redarc in videos rave about it.

Charles

kruckelr · 08-01-2022, 09:27 AM

Thank you for the diagram, it may come in handy sometime in the future

ttavasc · 08-01-2022, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

The Redarc unit is the charger. Has MPPT technology to regulate the solar and combine it if necessary with the input from the vehicle 12v. The Redarc is sealed and can be mounted in exposed conditions, but I would put it inside of something to give it some protection.

Redarc expects you to use this with portable solar panels, so If you have roof mounted ones and the solar charge controller, I think I would leave the existing solar controller in place and use the Redarc just for tow vehicle to battery charging (and additional solar panels if needed.

I am NOT a solar expert by any means, and an email to Redarc would be wise before deciding what to do. There are other Battery to battery chargers on the market, Renogy, and others, but I like the Redarc because of it being sealed and all of the Aussies that talk about Redarc in videos rave about it.

Charles

One thing to note about the REDARC Dual-Input DC-DC chargers is the input voltage range. It is 9-32VDC which will likely cause issues if you want/need to wire your solar in series. My 200watt portable solar in series easily exceeds the 32VDC and in that configuration wouldn't work with the REDARC Dual-Input chargers. Otherwise I think the REDARC stuff is high quality and reliable gear.