Charging TC batt's while driving
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Charging TC batt's while driving
Not sure if I can word this properly due to being a dyslexic moron when it comes to vehicles..... but here goes......
When buying a new F350 for hauling a TC, is it worth upgrading/upsizing the alternator?
Will it put out more and therefore charge the camper batteries faster?
Or is the amount going into the battery limited by the campers onboard charger, possibly making the extra coming from the bigger alt. pointless?
If a bigger alt. is going to charge faster, is the wire gauge from the engine to the plug in the bed big enough to carry all that the alt. is putting out? (with the acknowledgement that there's still the wire from bed plug to the campers system that could be undersized and a choke point, so may have to also be upsized as well)
Thanks guys. Trying to make a list of things that the dealer can answer and things I feel better asking TC experienced folks answering. Since my memory isn't great, I feel better with a list before stepping into the sales person wrestling ring.
When buying a new F350 for hauling a TC, is it worth upgrading/upsizing the alternator?
Will it put out more and therefore charge the camper batteries faster?
Or is the amount going into the battery limited by the campers onboard charger, possibly making the extra coming from the bigger alt. pointless?
If a bigger alt. is going to charge faster, is the wire gauge from the engine to the plug in the bed big enough to carry all that the alt. is putting out? (with the acknowledgement that there's still the wire from bed plug to the campers system that could be undersized and a choke point, so may have to also be upsized as well)
Thanks guys. Trying to make a list of things that the dealer can answer and things I feel better asking TC experienced folks answering. Since my memory isn't great, I feel better with a list before stepping into the sales person wrestling ring.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Mills River
Not sure if I can word this properly due to being a dyslexic moron when it comes to vehicles..... but here goes......
When buying a new F350 for hauling a TC, is it worth upgrading/upsizing the alternator?
Will it put out more and therefore charge the camper batteries faster?
Or is the amount going into the battery limited by the campers onboard charger, possibly making the extra coming from the bigger alt. pointless?
If a bigger alt. is going to charge faster, is the wire gauge from the engine to the plug in the bed big enough to carry all that the alt. is putting out? (with the acknowledgement that there's still the wire from bed plug to the campers system that could be undersized and a choke point, so may have to also be upsized as well)
Thanks guys. Trying to make a list of things that the dealer can answer and things I feel better asking TC experienced folks answering. Since my memory isn't great, I feel better with a list before stepping into the sales person wrestling ring.
When buying a new F350 for hauling a TC, is it worth upgrading/upsizing the alternator?
Will it put out more and therefore charge the camper batteries faster?
Or is the amount going into the battery limited by the campers onboard charger, possibly making the extra coming from the bigger alt. pointless?
If a bigger alt. is going to charge faster, is the wire gauge from the engine to the plug in the bed big enough to carry all that the alt. is putting out? (with the acknowledgement that there's still the wire from bed plug to the campers system that could be undersized and a choke point, so may have to also be upsized as well)
Thanks guys. Trying to make a list of things that the dealer can answer and things I feel better asking TC experienced folks answering. Since my memory isn't great, I feel better with a list before stepping into the sales person wrestling ring.
The +12 battery charging circuit is fused for 30 A. Considering the circuit is bundled in a harness with other wires and the fuse is located in the hot engine compartment, the actual circuit limit may be ~60%, or 18 A.
I’ve tested our truck’s +12 battery charging circuit drawing 16 A, and wire losses resulted in under 12 V at the test load. In other words, the entire length of +12 circuit wire in the truck, the harness, and inside the camper is a “choke point”.
The camper’s on-board 120 Vac -> 12 Vdc charger only works when plugged into shore power.
Honestly, I doubt your dealer will be willing to usefully discuss anything more than an alternator upgrade.
You have a couple of choices. One is to install PV modules and a charge controller on your camper. Another is to run heavier gauge wire between the truck battery and the camper batteries, which will reduce voltage loss in the wire and improve battery charging. Another further option is to install a DC-DC charger in addition to heavier wiring.
We have a couple of related threads presently in discussion; check ‘em out!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...in-thread.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...uck-to-tc.html
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bristol, TN.
Bert,
First thought I have is what are you going to do with it? The reality is most folks do not have an issue. The system in stock form will maintain the batteries and handle some additional load. I think the important thing to remember is this is all a system. For example, if you leave with charged batteries and are going to run a few hours and then pull into a campground with hookups, from my perspective doing more to enhance charging while driving probably doesn't add much in terms of usage ( and a lot of folks do just that and there is nothing wrong with it. Everything will be fine on the road and the batteries will top off in the campground.
And if you are wanting a real system modification, the truck dealer is not going to do it and it can be added anytime. I think it is very difficult to truly envision how you will end up using a truck camper until you own a truck camper. You may well end up with a heavier charge lead with a relay or isolator, solar on the roof, and Li+ in the trunk, but I think most of us add those things as we discover we need them.
Just my two cents having overbuilt more than my far share of systems in our campers.
Steve
First thought I have is what are you going to do with it? The reality is most folks do not have an issue. The system in stock form will maintain the batteries and handle some additional load. I think the important thing to remember is this is all a system. For example, if you leave with charged batteries and are going to run a few hours and then pull into a campground with hookups, from my perspective doing more to enhance charging while driving probably doesn't add much in terms of usage ( and a lot of folks do just that and there is nothing wrong with it. Everything will be fine on the road and the batteries will top off in the campground.
And if you are wanting a real system modification, the truck dealer is not going to do it and it can be added anytime. I think it is very difficult to truly envision how you will end up using a truck camper until you own a truck camper. You may well end up with a heavier charge lead with a relay or isolator, solar on the roof, and Li+ in the trunk, but I think most of us add those things as we discover we need them.
Just my two cents having overbuilt more than my far share of systems in our campers.
Steve
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Thanks guys. I'll check out those threads. And yes, looking at solar and Lith batt's.
Any oppinions on the quality of solar panels, lith batt's and the accompanying equip manufacturers uses (BF or North. Lite) as apposed to having aftermarket installed? I guess if factory installed, it's included in warranty and perhaps installing after market maybe void warranty.
Any oppinions on the quality of solar panels, lith batt's and the accompanying equip manufacturers uses (BF or North. Lite) as apposed to having aftermarket installed? I guess if factory installed, it's included in warranty and perhaps installing after market maybe void warranty.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
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From: Bristol, TN.
Aftermarket install can not void the warranty unless it directly causes the problem, however, if you know you want something, I think a factory install is usually cleaner. There are plenty of comparisons online of LI+ batteries, panels, etc.
Steve
Steve
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Joined: Jan 2020
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Honestly, you’d be better off investing in solar. Solar will charge while underway, while camping, and even keep the batteries maintained while in storage (if you have sun light).
We run a 100 w panel and two GR 31 6 v and that is usually enough for us (we don’t use a lot of juice). I’ll be honest-200 w panel would be better. We were boondocking 2 year ago and it was cloudy ALL week and the 100 w panel was not providing enough charge by end of week. That was an anomaly, but it got me thinking about adding another 100 w panel.
We run a 100 w panel and two GR 31 6 v and that is usually enough for us (we don’t use a lot of juice). I’ll be honest-200 w panel would be better. We were boondocking 2 year ago and it was cloudy ALL week and the 100 w panel was not providing enough charge by end of week. That was an anomaly, but it got me thinking about adding another 100 w panel.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 25
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Deluxe Lithium camper charging how to
This may be overkill for your needs of charging camper battery, but this guy has lots of tips and tricks on charging camper house batteries from the trucks alternators. https://www.mortonsonthemove.com/toms-tech-blog
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