Forum Discussion

Big-wheel's avatar
Big-wheel
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014

Truck Trailer pulg Charge Wire?

I am wondering what the volts should be to the trailer plug aux charge wire?

The truck is a 2000 F-250 powerstroke and we haul a truck camper on it and trying to figure out if the truck is sending a enough power back to charge the batteries while the truck is running. Or is there another setup that I sould look at running to keep the batteries charged while the truck is running?

Thanks
  • I think you should have at least 13.2x and probably 13.8v and the battery equalizing charge my solar controller puts out for a short period every day is 14.4v but I don't know if the alternator and converter/chargers do that. The voltage gage on the truck really only gives an indication that the alternator is working, accuracy is not a feature.

    To change subject slightly, how does one go about running this heavy gauge wire? On my Ford there is a 30 amp isolator fuse, but getting into that wire might be rather difficult, then you have to run separate wire to the camper rather than the 6 or 7 wire cable normally used and then the wire inside the camber will probably be a lighter gauge also if you use the normal camper plug. Can you run straight to the batteries?
  • The charge wire can keep the battery charged but will take a long time to charge a depleted battery. Once the battery is charged the voltage at it should be almost exactly the same as that of the truck battery when the truck is running. Fords automatically disconnect from the RV battery when the ign. is off.
  • Big-wheel, there is enough charge to give you a partial charge while traveling. Folks that want a stronger charge run HD wire to eliminate loss in resistance.