My 5er battery box is not exactly what I'd call jumper cable friendly (little clearance).

How many of you've been there? Dry docking and the night turns colder than you thought it would - heater draws the battery down faster than you thought. You wake up with ice cycles in the moustach and it is warmer outside and in the trailer?

My 5er has a generator, but it still take power to start it. I can hook up the 7-pin connector, start the truck and start to charge and wait to start the generator. But the small gauge wire takes a while to build the coach batteries back enough to crank the generator up.

Back in the day 25+ years ago when I drove a wrecker we had an external connector that was basically a two-wire connector that I'd like to recreate that would be like jump starting the system to get the generator going faster.

Anybody know of a good source for a connector that I could hard wire in with the larger gauge wire so I can get the system up faster?

John
'01 F350
'03 Comfort 27' 5er

 

Something like this?
Moroso 74200 - Moroso Battery Quick-Connect Plugs - summitracing.com

 

Or here are some remote jump start terminals.
Summit SUM-G1430 - Summit® Remote Battery Jumper Terminals - summitracing.com

 

Looks like you are covered. I do have one suggestion though, if you are out frequently when needing to run the heater, I'd look into gettting an indoor catalytic heater, doesn't drain the batteries and are pretty efficient with the propane as well.

 

The battery quick disconnect plugs MisterCMK linked above look a lot like the SuperWinch quick connectors I used to hook up my winch. They should work well.

You can buy them for lighter or heavier wire from Etrailer.

Superwinch Quick Connects, 6-10 AWG Wire SW1551 : Trailer hitch bike rack and trailer hitches - etrailer.com
Superwinch Quick Connects, 2-4 AWG Wire SW2236 : Trailer hitch bike rack and trailer hitches - etrailer.com

Since I already have the connector on the truck, I've long intended to buy another connector and solder it onto one end of a good set of jumper cables. Then I could just attach one end to the plug and use the clamps on another vehicle.

You could wire a plug to your trailer, then wire up a set of jumper cables and you should be good to go.

The indoor catalytic heater is a good option also. I have one in my camper and usually have to sleep with some windows open to keep from being baked. You have to have some windows open for ventilation anyway.

I have the small Wave-3 Olympian. It puts out 1600-3000 BTU's and is very easy on the propane. For a bigger trailer they make a 3200-6000 BTU unit and a 4200-8000 BTU unit.

uscatalytic.com

I did have to change my smoke detector to the photoelectric type. The heater seemed to want to set off my ionization type. I also put in a Carbon Monozide detector just for an extra measure of safety.

 

I wired up connectors that are designed to power lift gates for semi trailers. They take 4 gauge wire. I wired 4 gauge all the way from my alternator to the camper batteries, and the charging from the truck is awesome. This connector is HUGE! I put it in place of the seven way in the bed. I then put in a small round 5 pin next to it to give me the rest of the signals that went to the 7 pin. I get 14+ volts at the camper in only a few minutes.

Both ends are available from NAPA. Just take the order number in and they can usually get them in one day.



(clickable picture)

 

I'll also throw in unsolicited advice:

If you put in two golf cart batteries, you can run the furnace all night (they have to be in pairs since they are 6V). Four golf cart batteries are even better.

Once you have good batteries, you need a good converter to charge. Either a WFCO, Progressive Dynamics with a charge wizzard, or best of all a XADC. These all are three stage chargers that charge fast so you don't have to run the generator a long time. Any others don't charge anywhere near as fast so you start out behind because they won't charge the battery fully in less than a few days. If you don't have one, get the XADC. (I also recommend Best Converter, the owner is a helpful, honest guy.)

If you're running your batteries down to where you can't start the genny, you're abusing them and they won't last as long. Yes, the converters and big batteries are expensive, but if you use golf cart batteries and a good converter, they'll last 10 years. Over the long run, that extra cost pays you back in not having to buy batteries every other year.

 

I don't like to leave the driveway without a Plan B and prefer a Plan C or more also. My family has been camping in the same area for almost 25 years now. There has been rain - Yes, Frost - on occasion, but that was only the second year we woke up to snow (4" of it - past was a trace). That 5er had a single battery system and I carried a spare deep cycle battery with quick disconnect terminals, I made it thru almost 4 days on battery 1. I spent most of the 6th day in a t-shirt and when I went to bed there was no signs of a snow storm. Didn't have a NOAA radio and/or TV/Radio reception in the area or a generator then. Fixed that the next season with a portable.

I carry flash light(s), spare batteries, candles, sterno, MREs and dehidrated food stocks when camping besides what I plan to eat for the trip. That trailer had a 30# LP tank (full) and I also had on board a spare 20# tank in case.

The current 5er also has a solar panel, NOAA radio, and satellite so I have a fighting to see it coming. I know that the solar panel is small enough that it won't handle most of the daily needs, but there'll some gain. Back in the slide in camper days when I had the remote starter, things were OK. I still like to disconnect thing so there is less of a chance to draw other things down until needed. Agreed it is SW Wyoming so you never know what you'll get (could be a box of choclates or it could be the pits!)

I like both the Moroso and Super Wench options. Super Wench looks more like what we had back in the day. So I'll look deeper in to them for next season

I just want to have Plans B & C (and a way to get to D if needed) in place before I need them.

I've had the trailer almost 4 years now and it has NOT been plugged in to shore power other than the 3 times I've camped in improved camp sites in that time and the batteries have yet to fail me. So the solar is doing its job, I just want to be sure I have other options available if/as needed.

I like to bullet proof things. Anybody know where I can get Kevlar Gel Coat?

John
'01 F350
'03 Comfort 27' 5er

 

go to napa the flat jump start plugs like you find on the wreckers you can get from them for like 20 bucks.

 

This is why I have a stand alone starting battery for my generator and it's own separate fuel supply (gas).

Denny

 

For some excellent connectors, available in various sizes and colors, look at the Anderson Powerpole connectors. One place to get them is PowerWerx Powerwerx: Online Shopping for Anderson Powerpoles, Wire & Cable, Adapter Cables, Power Splitters & more

The 15 & 30 amp sizes have become the generally accepted standard for ham radio operators; but they are also available in sizes up to 350 amp ratings.