My tow vehicle has what Ford calls an "Extra Heavy duty Alternator" rated at 220 Amps. I am (as the name goes) planning on switching to a residential reefer.We never dry camp or boondock. I am going to have a Xantrex pure sine wave inverter installed for an anticipated maximum of about 62 DC amps draw for the reefer while using the inverter. (Always on shore power during overnights and extended stays.) The reefer will be the only draw on the inverter.Is it reasonable to assume that the alternator as described above will be able to keep the 5's batteries topped up during the daily drive?How much charging amperage is actually provided to the 5 when towing?

Go ask your dealer how much current is available at the RV plug. I think mine is like 30A because of wire size. The 62A is a max draw. Look at the current draw of the fridge to determine if it would keep it fully charged....

While assuming that your answer is in good faith, my experience with the dealer(s) has not been positive. I have found quite a bit more expertise here than at dealers.I have not yet had an experience that did not require multiple trips for simple issues, and questions more complex than "is the sun shining" have more often than not been been met with "slack-jawed" looks.

Open your trucks owners manual and go to the FUSE sectionIt will identify the fuse/relay used and size for trailer charge lineMost likely 30A maxBUT the issue is resistance...due to length of charge line and small size of wireSo 'charge' lines are OK for maintaining normal trailer battery demands while in transitYour residential reefer will probably NOT demand much because it will cycle very little........it is already cold, nobody is opening/closing it while in transit and even if it does cycle it should be very short run time.IF large demand occurs then you will have to run a larger size charge wire

We have a residential refer with a 1000watt inverter. We have never had a problem with the batteries being low at the end of the day. We have 2 group 27 12 volts.

No worries. Worst case they could be a bit low as you arrive and plug in. You will never even know unless you have a voltmeter and make a point to check.

Battery Charging Question | Good Sam Community

dmck413
Explorer
Feb 25, 2017
We have a residential refer with a 1000watt inverter. We have never had a problem with the batteries being low at the end of the day. We have 2 group 27 12 volts.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 25, 2017
Open your trucks owners manual and go to the FUSE section
It will identify the fuse/relay used and size for trailer charge line
Most likely 30A max

BUT the issue is resistance...due to length of charge line and small size of wire
So 'charge' lines are OK for maintaining normal trailer battery demands while in transit

Your residential reefer will probably NOT demand much because it will cycle very little........it is already cold, nobody is opening/closing it while in transit and even if it does cycle it should be very short run time.

IF large demand occurs then you will have to run a larger size charge wire
Planning
Explorer
Feb 25, 2017
While assuming that your answer is in good faith, my experience with the dealer(s) has not been positive. I have found quite a bit more expertise here than at dealers.

I have not yet had an experience that did not require multiple trips for simple issues, and questions more complex than "is the sun shining" have more often than not been been met with "slack-jawed" looks.
avvidclif1
Explorer
Feb 25, 2017
Go ask your dealer how much current is available at the RV plug. I think mine is like 30A because of wire size. The 62A is a max draw. Look at the current draw of the fridge to determine if it would keep it fully charged....

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