Using truck batteries and camper batteries

Butch50 wrote:
Unless a severe duty solenoid has been added the Ram trucks and GM/Chevy trucks (as far as a I know) have power on the hot lead to the camper at all times. Ford comes from the factory with a disconnect on it. Just turn the key off and the battery supply to the camper from the truck is stopped.

Confirmed on the GM trucks since that is what I own. I always unplgged mine, until I eventually added a solenoid.

retiredtoo wrote:
My camper installer told me that my 2006 dodge diesel would not discharge due to camper loads. I'm not convinced, but so far, I have left the TC plugged in with no problems for the truck batteries. My truck did come with towing package though and may have protection. I'm sure every truck will be a bit different, so you may want to check with your dealer.

I have a similar truck. Unless it has been modified the truck powers the 7-pin connector all the time. Your camper may have an isolator built in. My Northstar TC does not so I installed a circuit to cut power unless the truck ignition is turned on. Not sure about my new AF990.

Some TCs have a battery isolator that automatically disconnects the truck when the alternator is not charging. I've blown thru two of those SurePower units. Whether you have an isolator or not, you should install an Automatic Charge Relay (ACR). Let me share my experience.

I purchased the Blue Sea SI ACR (about $75 on eBay). I installed it and checked it for proper functioning. I am impressed. Very simple install.

The relay is electrically symmetrical, so the two terminals can be connected as convenient to the battery wires. My diesel has two batts and my 1181 has two batts. The truck is on terminal B and the TC on terminal A. The truck alternator can now charge the camper batts like the Sure Power 1314 was supposed to do (and didn't) when on the road. The ACR waits about 2 minutes when the charging voltage reaches 13 v., then ties the 4 batts together.

Similarly, on the camper side, when the voltage reaches 13 v. (whether from shore power or the generator), the 4 batts get tied together. If you are camping and the TC's batts are down, it may take the generator (or Solar?) a while to get the charging voltage up to that level, so the charging will be going to the camper batts until they reach a level where the 4 batts can be tied together.

Once the 4 batts are tied together, they remain tied after the charging voltage is removed until the voltage drops below 12.75 volts. That protects your truck batts from excessive discharging. I view that as an additional positive because the initial electrical use when camping is provided by the topped off 4 pack. So it will take longer for the TC loads to be placed solely on the camper batts.

There is an LED on the unit that displays it's status and at another TCer's suggestion, I added an optional green LED mounted on the front panel of my step to the bed that displays the same status ($4, 12v green LED from Radio Shack). It did surprise me a bit that one lead of the LED is is attached to 12v (not ground) and the other to the terminal on the ACR. Works perfectly.

Rick

Unless a severe duty solenoid has been added the Ram trucks and GM/Chevy trucks (as far as a I know) have power on the hot lead to the camper at all times. Ford comes from the factory with a disconnect on it. Just turn the key off and the battery supply to the camper from the truck is stopped.

When in doubt take a multi meter and unplug the umbilical cord to the camper from the truck and with the truck turned off measure the hot lead to see if there is power there. Then turn the truck on and measure again to make sure you were on the hot lead.

My 2013 Ram has power on it all the time.

I always unplug mine. once i went out at night and noticed that the light under the over hang on my fifth wheel was on. It took me by suprise because I took the battery out of the rv to check the water ans such so it was surely feeding off the truck. dont know how long it would have taken to drain the batteries on my Dodge diesel.

My camper installer told me that my 2006 dodge diesel would not discharge due to camper loads. I'm not convinced, but so far, I have left the TC plugged in with no problems for the truck batteries. My truck did come with towing package though and may have protection. I'm sure every truck will be a bit different, so you may want to check with your dealer.