Using truck batteries and camper batteries
With the truck not running, I noticed when I unplug my camper to truck connection, my electric jacks slow down. I assume my truck batteries are supplying power to the camper at all times when the camp...
Forum Discussion
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
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
