Auxiliary battery
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
From: Oregon Coast
Auxiliary battery
Hi,
We want to install an auxiliary battery in the bed of the new truck to run a small frig, misc camping appliances etc.
Has anyone done this? Do you need a DC to DC charger? Thanks!
We want to install an auxiliary battery in the bed of the new truck to run a small frig, misc camping appliances etc.
Has anyone done this? Do you need a DC to DC charger? Thanks!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 216
Likes: 8
From: mich.
Could you plug a small charger into the 110 volt outlet which is powered by the invertor? ( if you have that option)
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,872
Likes: 357
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
I believe there are DC-DC chargers that can be put in place between the primary and secondary batteries. This would be more efficient than trying to run a separate charger through an inverter. I've recently been seeing these for RVs; especially when people are trying to integrate Lion batteries in their RVs (which require a different charging profile than lead-acid batteries).
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
From: Oregon Coast
That's true. A simple isolator is little more than a power diode, which typically have a voltage drop of ~~ .6 to .7 volts. So the isolated battery will always be that much below the desired voltage.
I believe there are DC-DC chargers that can be put in place between the primary and secondary batteries. This would be more efficient than trying to run a separate charger through an inverter. I've recently been seeing these for RVs; especially when people are trying to integrate Lion batteries in their RVs (which require a different charging profile than lead-acid batteries).
I believe there are DC-DC chargers that can be put in place between the primary and secondary batteries. This would be more efficient than trying to run a separate charger through an inverter. I've recently been seeing these for RVs; especially when people are trying to integrate Lion batteries in their RVs (which require a different charging profile than lead-acid batteries).
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,458
Likes: 723
From: Calgary Canada
That outlet is very light-duty. Someone dig up the specs, but I'm betting it'd have to be a teeny-tiny charger.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Key word "up" to, the inverters will only sustain 150w max. They have been a gimmick since they debuted.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 72
It seemed pretty cool in my last vehicle....but in 5.5 years, I may have used it once.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 375
Likes: 69
If your plans are to have a Shell, or Topper on the Truck, you might be able to get away with a small Solar Panel on the Roof of the Shell to maintain the Aux Battery. Possibly a Portable Solar Panel if you're going the Tent route.
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