CHARGING EXTRA BATTERY QUESTION

Here is more info on how the BLUE SEA SI-ACR smart relay works... The SURE POWER INdustries smart realy works in the same fashion.

I like this idea for my setups as it is automatic and all I have to worry about is where the next Texas Long Neck 'beer' is coming from hehe...

BLUE SEA SI-ACR

This is one of my future extra battery projects using two Trojan batteries in the bed of my truck for my Two Way Emergency Radio Operations and for combining more battery power to my OFF-ROAD POPUP camper when I am in camping mode... I am planning on using 150AH batteries verse the 110AHs ones shown in the diagram. Although this is shown being charged from the truck alternator I may not do this as I don't know yet what my DC CURRENT capability is for the truck alternator. Three batteries tied to my truck alternator may be too much of a load for it to handle. Haven't determined that yet. I have alternate ways to charge the batteries in the back of the truck bed when needed using my 2KW Honda Generator that is installed/secured in the truck bed as well. No problems charging the extra batteries in the truck bed when connected to the OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer. Its on-board converter/charger will take care of using the 2-conductor battery cable connection between the two units.

Always planning something different hehe...


Roy Ken

Hi,

I chose to use automatic circuit breakers after blowing 3 60 amp fuses. You need one at both ends.

I found a fuse that was controlled by my ignition.
I used an 'add a fuse' to power a relay and an automotive circuit breaker on the charge line +

Can you rig up not toy jumper cables or move the battery to use cables? This battery can accept a 60 amp charge rate easily. You may get 25-30 amps with a long run of 8 gauge. Three times the time needed to recharge versus jumper cables. Later on, you can run six gauge and a 80 amp breaker at each end for protection. This will fill the battery as fast as safely possible.

ALot of folks will do this but use a smart relay that only connects to the extra battery when your truck van is in charge mode.

This keeps the connected extra battery from running down your truck start battery. Rule number one here is not to do much to my truck battery system as that is my way home haha...

Check for these two smart relays that might suit your purpose...


This is simplified diagram on using the SI-ACR relay... Let the battery charger shown in this diagram be your solar panel.. The engine shown here is your truck alternator output...


Roy Ken

Yes, any time you hook pos together, and neg together, the batteries will equalize....to a point. But there will be some voltage loss, so may not fully charge, all depending on length of wire. But 8 ga should do ok at 10 to 20 feet.
Fuses ??? How confident are you in your wiring installation ?