DIY electrical system

[GregA]

So.. I have a pickup camper and want to create an additional charging system. My truck has two "trailer" hookups. I assume one is for the Camper and the other for a trailer.

I'd like to use the trailer receptacle to create a separate system to charge 2 12V batteries to run underbelly heaters. I routinely camp in -20F.

It would be great to "mount" this system on a hitch rack too (thus removable).

Anyone done anything similar or know how I would go about it?

Thanks-Greg

[Grit_dog]

time2roll wrote:
Just get a 7-pin connector and use the B+ and ground terminals to connect to the additional battery. I did this years ago with my pop-up trailer.

Well that should work like a charm.....lol

[time2roll]

Just get a 7-pin connector and use the B+ and ground terminals to connect to the additional battery. I did this years ago with my pop-up trailer.

[Grit_dog]

And the "2 trailer hookups" share the same power source, literally.

You can wire in a big DC DC charger and use your truck as a very expensive battery charger, or you can use a generator.

If you routinely camp at -20F, I'd think you'd already understand the virtues, correction, necessity, for a generator.

[theoldwizard1]

Any vehicle charging system will not fully charge your auxiliary battery unless you you are using a DC-DC charger.

[Roger10378]

The wiring will not support using both at the same time. It is either one or the other. There is minimal current available for keeping a battery charged when driving.

[Lwiddis]

You’ll freeze your batteries at 60% SOC with a temperature of -16F or there about.

[Lwiddis]

In -20F conditions you need to insulate the batteries for them to provide anywhere near their rated capacity. Be concerned with the batteries freezing too when significantly discharged. If the batteries are AGM or Lithium they could be inside the RV with you.