Frank Mehaffey wrote:
For the last 3 years, everything works fine, but I have been reading up on power/charging systems, and how the truck alternator should not be used to recharge depleted camper batteries. If we do some primitive camping in the future, I would like not to need a portable Honda to recharge the TC batteries, but just run the truck for the time necessary to recharge. I have a battery meter installed in the camper, so I know what I have in the batteries.
Charging with the alternator is fine in all conditions. The convenience of charging while in transit is the best part.
As for just letting the engine idle it may take a long time to get a decent charge back in the battery. How many amps does the battery meter show that you are getting? 30+ is great, 20 is adequate and <10 is going to take all day. Many people only get a slow charge and don't want to idle the vehicle 6 hours to get 60 amp hours back in the battery. So they get a small generator and upgrade the converter if needed to get 40+ amps going into the battery. If you are parked in the sun much consider 200+ watts of solar to minimize running the engine or a generator.
