Aux battery
Hi, I just inherited a new to me camper but it doesn't have an aux battery. can someone tell me where on the converter to hook up the battery. is this an easy diy project or do I need an rv tech to do...
Forum Discussion
I think Wayne is right. I assume you are looking for a simple solution here, not a best-in-class battery system, so will answer on that basis. If you've got a converter that can run your 12v stuff (lights, etc.) while plugged into 120v shore power then great, but don't just plug that into a battery. If the converter has dozens of wires coming out of it powering different things (lights, furnace fan, extractor, radio, etc.) then this will be awkward, but if it just has one thick +12v wire then you could insert a switch there allowing you to switch between the converter providing 12v and a battery supplying 12v. That ensures the converter will never pump power directly into the battery and kill it.
Next you need a way to charge that battery. A nice thick cable from your truck alternator / battery to the auxiliary battery will help by charging it while you are driving, but you need something to ensure you don't drain your truck battery at the same time you drain your auxiliary battery - the simplest solution is a charge relay that isolates the batteries from each other when the truck engine is stopped.
Next you will probably want to be able to charge the battery when you have 120v hook-up. For that you could just buy a regular battery charger, but make sure it is an intelligent multi-stage one that will look after the battery, not just a budget supermarket variety battery charger.
You also need to ensure you don't run your auxiliary battery flat - doing so will also kill it quickly. You can get battery meters that show the amount of charge it holds (based on the exact voltage of the battery when it is not being charged or discharged), often as a percentage. The simplest may be just a line of LEDs each marked with a percentage. I suggest buying one of these and ensure you don't let your battery drop below 50% charge.
Think carefully about what you intend to run from your battery. Interior lights can use a surprising amount of power, so many of us swap the ones we use most for LED lights that are much less hungry. Most people have a 3-way (absorption) fridge - if you have one of these run it on propane, not 12v as it will draw a huge amount of battery power.
Steve.
Next you need a way to charge that battery. A nice thick cable from your truck alternator / battery to the auxiliary battery will help by charging it while you are driving, but you need something to ensure you don't drain your truck battery at the same time you drain your auxiliary battery - the simplest solution is a charge relay that isolates the batteries from each other when the truck engine is stopped.
Next you will probably want to be able to charge the battery when you have 120v hook-up. For that you could just buy a regular battery charger, but make sure it is an intelligent multi-stage one that will look after the battery, not just a budget supermarket variety battery charger.
You also need to ensure you don't run your auxiliary battery flat - doing so will also kill it quickly. You can get battery meters that show the amount of charge it holds (based on the exact voltage of the battery when it is not being charged or discharged), often as a percentage. The simplest may be just a line of LEDs each marked with a percentage. I suggest buying one of these and ensure you don't let your battery drop below 50% charge.
Think carefully about what you intend to run from your battery. Interior lights can use a surprising amount of power, so many of us swap the ones we use most for LED lights that are much less hungry. Most people have a 3-way (absorption) fridge - if you have one of these run it on propane, not 12v as it will draw a huge amount of battery power.
Steve.
