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 it ? I don't want to get hosed by an rv center, not that they would do anything like that:D thx for looking any help would be appreciated Ray

Does it have an inverter already? If so, the battery connections are usually self explanatory, and the rest should already be connected properly. If not and you are going to buy an inverter, you have to consider the system requirements first, and then design and install your power system. This is simple if you understand charging systems, automotive wiring (including wire sizing and voltage drop), amperage draw, inverters, chargers, fuses, and circuit breakers, as well as shore power systems. If you don't and you DIY, you could cause yourself a lot of grief. But if you just drive into an RV service center, you could end up paying way too much for a simple system. Get together with a friend (or friend of a friend) who is good with automotive elec. systems, offer to pay a reasonable rate for time, try to get materials at cost, and go from there. Find out your truck alternator specs (consider an upgrade depending on system design), and analyze your 12v and 110v power needs before buying batteries, an inverter, and/or charger. Also you should consider a solar panel or two to keep the battery topped off. You should be able to charge the battery from the truck alternator with a small solar panel to keep it topped off, and run some small basic items like a coffee maker and lights with a small inverter. If you are going to try to power a microwave or small AC, you are going to be into an entirely different level of power requirements, you will need more batteries, and will need to be more careful about sizing your inverter. You wont have enough roof space for solar to do anything more than maintain your batteries. Good luck and feel free to email with specific questions once you decide what your system requirements are going to be.

In all probability, your TC probably has a converter only, not a charger converter. My 1988 Bigfoot was without battery, and had an converter only. I upgraded to an AGM battery inside my TC, and replaced the converter with a 55 amp Smart Charger/Converter. I did my own install, and purchased my parts from Best Converter. You will find them very easy to talk to, and they will have several options for you.Wayne

Alta Volunteer wrote:Does it have an inverter already?...I assume that should read "converter" not "inverter". An inverter generates 120v alternating current from your 12v direct current power source.My camper came with a converter, but no battery charger. A previous owner had added a domestic battery charger so the battery would charge when plugged into shore power, but he bought a really cheap one that just boiled the batteries dry. You need a decent battery charger whether your converter includes that or you buy it separately - e.g. one of these multi-stage intelligent ones that looks after your battery. Otherwise you would be replacing your battery every year like I was, and that gets expensive.Also, my converter did already connect to the battery, but not to charge it. It had a connection so you could switch between running the camper 12v electrics off battery or converter, but there was no option for connecting the two, so be careful that even if your converter has battery connections that doesn't automatically mean it will charge your battery.Steve.

Yeah, I get it now. i was thinking he wanted to get 110v out of his battery and keep it charged while plugged in. Connecting a battery to an existing converter should be pretty straight forward. Best thing to do is research the make and model converter to get it right and also confirm that it meets the need, and as Steve said, wont boil your battery.

Thanks guys, yeah it does have a converter in there now, but no leads coming off it for hooking up a battery, I guess the guy I got it from didn't get around to it. if I take the cover off is there specific pos-neg to hook batt cables to, or is it just any pos-neg poles. thx

Aux battery | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

Reddog1
Explorer II
Jul 26, 2014
In all probability, your TC probably has a converter only, not a charger converter. My 1988 Bigfoot was without battery, and had an converter only. I upgraded to an AGM battery inside my TC, and replaced the converter with a 55 amp Smart Charger/Converter. I did my own install, and purchased my parts from Best Converter. You will find them very easy to talk to, and they will have several options for you.

Wayne
Alta_Volunteer
Explorer
Jul 26, 2014
Does it have an inverter already? If so, the battery connections are usually self explanatory, and the rest should already be connected properly. If not and you are going to buy an inverter, you have to consider the system requirements first, and then design and install your power system.

This is simple if you understand charging systems, automotive wiring (including wire sizing and voltage drop), amperage draw, inverters, chargers, fuses, and circuit breakers, as well as shore power systems. If you don't and you DIY, you could cause yourself a lot of grief. But if you just drive into an RV service center, you could end up paying way too much for a simple system.

Get together with a friend (or friend of a friend) who is good with automotive elec. systems, offer to pay a reasonable rate for time, try to get materials at cost, and go from there. Find out your truck alternator specs (consider an upgrade depending on system design), and analyze your 12v and 110v power needs before buying batteries, an inverter, and/or charger. Also you should consider a solar panel or two to keep the battery topped off. You should be able to charge the battery from the truck alternator with a small solar panel to keep it topped off, and run some small basic items like a coffee maker and lights with a small inverter.

If you are going to try to power a microwave or small AC, you are going to be into an entirely different level of power requirements, you will need more batteries, and will need to be more careful about sizing your inverter. You wont have enough roof space for solar to do anything more than maintain your batteries.

Good luck and feel free to email with specific questions once you decide what your system requirements are going to be.

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Aux battery

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