OK, here's a real newb question. If I'm boondocking and don't have a solar charger, can I just hook the wiring harness up to my car and let the engine run for awhile to charge the trailer battery? Any idea how long it would take to "top up" the battery if it's low?
Fri, 03/20/2015 - 08:38
#1
battery charging
Only real way to tell is with a meter to the battery.
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
Glad I ordered a couple of 12V outlets - I am getting a voltmeter from Amazon that will allow me to monitor the battery when parked for extended periods.
We went out and had to dry camp and used the battery for everything for 4 days with no problem.we just kept watching the lights to see if they dimmed but they never did.Hubby is going to put an inside battery gauge meter in our 13 footer soon tho so we will always know
Launey and Earlene
I would like to know about putting a gauges on a dual battery setup in our 16. Has anyone done this. Also would like to have toggle switch between batteries so I can drive/invert on one battery at a time, while using the backup battery while doing so. Interested in installing a battery gauges in the trailer for each battery to monitor the operation.
Most marine stores sell battery selector switches. (A lot of boats have dual batteries.) The switches should come with directions for installation. The switches can be wired so that you can select either battery separately or both together. You also should be able to hook up one battery gauge (volt meter) to that same switch which will give you battery voltage for each battery depending on switch position.
We prefer off-grid camper with solar, so in the interest of monitoring and conserving power I added an eBay LED battery monitor to our Scamp 5th wheel. Also added Radio Shack push on-off switches to shut off the LED monitor when not necessary. Install picture here. The LED monitor is just fastened to the top of the propane detector rather than inset into the wood panel.
Charging your Trailer Battery with the Tow Vehicle can be done. However, it is a very expensive proposition (considering fuel and wear and tear on your engine). This is true if you are "Boondocking" in one spot for several days and are using the TV to charge your battery every day, however, if you are moving the trailer on a daily basis, then the expense of charging your trailer battery is negligible because the Tow Vehicle is already being operated to transport the trailer and your battery will get recharged while traveling.
Your question about how long it would take to recharge depends on how much power you have used from your battery. If you are boondocking and have converted all your lights to LED and are only using the LED lights and you are using propane to operate your refrigerator and not running the furnace fan then you could probably "top off" your battery in 20 to 30 minutes from your TV, any greater usage of the battery would require more than an hour or even two.
Additionally, if you are only using your LED lighting and Propane for refrigeration, your battery may not need to be recharged for 3 or four days because the LED lights draw so little amperage and your refrigerator only draws power for the control board and the igniter (if so equipped).
The suggestion of installing a Voltage Meter for monitoring your battery is a good one, I installed a meter just before our last trip and found it very useful.
Happy Scamping !!!
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Thanks! That clears it up for me.
I agree with what is said above. Also, for a newby, know that you will need a charging line from your TV charging system to your RV battery. Most 4 pin connectors do not have a charging line...you may need a 7 pin connector. Although it is feasible to do the job yourself, I will highly recommend having it done at a reputable RV service center.
Don
2015 Scamp 16'
Tow Vehicle...2013 Lincoln MKX 3.7L V-6
SW Ohio
Thanks Don. Yes, Scamp requires the 7-pin connector, which we are having installed prior to picking up our Scamp the end of April.
Pages