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trailer battery charging

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:16 pm
by pro093
i have a dual battery set up just wondering if i could run a set of wire,s
to tow bar to charge another battery thats in the camper trailer from the second battery under the bonnet, is there any problems doing that
any info would be grate thanks

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 7:43 am
by Lucky Phil
If your vehicle is allready equipped to charge a second battery then you would only need to switch off your second vehicle battery and switch on your camper battery, otherwise the best way would be have a hotwire from the vehicle to a setec or similar in the camper to charge it's battery.
Another way is buy an inverter, power it from a hotwire then use it to run a 240v battery charger.
Hope this helps.
Philip

Re: trailer battery charging

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:59 am
by RoldIT
pro093 wrote:i have a dual battery set up just wondering if i could run a set of wire,s
to tow bar to charge another battery thats in the camper trailer from the second battery under the bonnet, is there any problems doing that
any info would be grate thanks
Yep, that's fine. Use a fairly heavy guage cable, probably 8ga or lower and make sure you fuse that line close to the power source and use a fuse/breaker of lower rating than the wire used. (ie Cable rated at 50amp, fuse/breaker at 40amp or less). You will get a fare voltage drop because of the length you are running so cable the heavier the better.

Otherwise, you maybe could use a 12v regulator like used with solar panels and use lower gauge cable and more or less trickle charge the trailer battery. Not too sure on that one, would require more research.
Lucky Phil wrote:Another way is buy an inverter, power it from a hotwire then use it to run a 240v battery charger.
Umm .. no. That's very inefficient, expensive and pointless.

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 5:12 pm
by ausoops
fuse at both ends as there is effectively a supply at both ends,

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 6:16 pm
by DamTriton
Lucky Phil wrote:If your vehicle is allready equipped to charge a second battery then you would only need to switch off your second vehicle battery and switch on your camper battery, otherwise the best way would be have a hotwire from the vehicle to a setec or similar in the camper to charge it's battery.
Another way is buy an inverter, power it from a hotwire then use it to run a 240v battery charger.
Hope this helps.
Philip
Do not do this with the vehicle in motion. 240V running between trailer and vehicle could pose a SERIOUS risk to rescue personnel in the event of an accident if any wiring gets exposed.

Go with a double fused heavy guage wire connected with Anderson plugs at the trailer hitch, like most of the caravanning fraternity use. If need be, someone else can recharge your battery, or you could help out by recharging someone elses.

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 7:12 pm
by drivesafe
Hi pro093, this diagram should be of some help to you.

Cheers


Image

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:25 pm
by pro093
thanks for that very help full
cheers dan.

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:47 pm
by blkmav