using wifi while camping

[pigpen1003]

When i'm using my truck's WiFi, how do i keep my trucks batteries charged, will using shore power and the truck hooked up to the trailer keep my trucks batt's charged? my running lights in my truck stay on during operation, so my batt will deplete very fast, also will a batterie charger be needed instead during usage? if nothing else works?

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Big Katuna wrote:


I’d stick a battery charger on it and be done.

Way too easy!

Kinda makes you wonder why did he ask..:@

~

[pigpen1003]

Thanks everyone for their input, i appreciate it

[Rover_Bill]

The OP does not give any info on his truck or how the truck gets WiFi, so this is based on my experience with my GMC Canyon and getting WiFi service via the built-in OnStar system as of several years ago. GMC may have changed the system since then.

WiFi service is provided by my Canyon when the engine is running. The truck computer automatically shuts down the WiFi service approx. 30 minutes after the engine is stopped and the key is removed from the ignition (to save the battery). To keep the WiFi service running, I can remotely start my truck with the ignition key fob(?) to recharge the battery. The computer will shut down the engine after approx. 15 minutes unless the key is reinserted into the ignition. A battery tender will not keep the computer from shutting down the WiFi service.

It's a real PITA system so I get my WiFi service via my cell phone hotspot that's plugged into the TT wall socket. The only disadvantage is that the truck OnStar system has a greater reach (signal boost) than my cell phone.

[Lwiddis]

WiFi today or starting the TV tomorrow? Easy choice for me. There is no free lunch.

[agesilaus]

Does that truck have dual batteries? I doubt my truck would flatline the batteries after using WIFI for an hour. After all a small laptop battery will run WIFI for 3 or 4 hours as well as powering the rest of the computer.

[FLY_4_FUN]

Perfect time for a Deltran battery tender. They come with quick connect ends that can be installed on the battery and then just plug in as needed. I bet even a 1.5A trickle charge would keep up...or bring up the battery after it gets used for a few hours.

[Big_Katuna]

I’d stick a battery charger on it and be done. If the marker lights are incandescent you could change them to LED and greatly drop the draw.

[JKJavelin]

This is a VERY good question. My wife will sit in the truck with ACC on for the wifi to post pics and whatever, although I recently installed a Winegard wifi 4G for the trailer. But if I don't buy 4G data from Winegard, she'll sit in the truck for an hour using the truck wifi.
JK

[naturist]

If your truck and trailer are wired properly, they should automatically disconnect from one another when you shut off the ignition, thus shore power will NOT charge your truck battery. This is to prevent your being stranded because you can't start the truck after boon docking (i.e., no shore power).

So I agree with @GordonThree: use the truck's wifi very sparingly when the engine is off.

[agesilaus]

Well normally you run the engine to charge the battery. Why do you need that much WIFI anyway? If nothing else you could use a battery charger. Frankly this is a new question that I've never seen here before...heh.

[time2roll]

Check the truck battery voltage. 12.6 is charged. 13.2+ is charging from the trailer. 12.5 or less is discharging.

OK to post the truck make and model. Ford has an isolation relay, some others do not.

[GordonThree]

Use the WiFi very sparingly.