Tow Vehicle Battery and Alternator
My trucks alternator is rated at 150 amps. Its starting battery is your typical 600 CCA AC Delco variety. My goal is to increase charging capability through the 7 pin pigtail connector near the hi...
Forum Discussion
Rbertalotto wrote:
I have two tow vehicles, RAM 2500 with 220a alternator and Toyota Venza with 150a alternator. I use a Renogy 40a DC to DC charger in both for charging batteries in a small off-road tent camper or a large toy hauler. Both vehicles have 2g wire from front battery to charger in rear.
The Renogy works way above my expectations. Amazing product.
I've been experimenting using my vehicle to idle and charge the battery. After 20 minutes charging I'm seeing very little heat rise on either alternator.using laser thermometer. And with a AGM group 31, 100ah, 60% battery, I'm back up to 90% after 20 minutes.
I no longer carry a bulky generator to off grid charge batteries when the sun isn't hitting my solar panels.
Do a Search on YouTube for Will Prowse. He is amazing and has done a great test on this Renogy unit.
Thanks for the late input. Good to hear that it's been working great for you. I have yet to install the Renogy DC to DC charger in my tow vehicle as we are still in the middle of winter in Michigan. How did you wire the control terminal on the unit? Did you use your tow vehicle's ignition circuit? I have 4G wire (both pos & neg) to run from the TV's battery to the input on the Renogy unit. I'm wondering if I can just tap into the trailer's tail lights or do I need to run a dedicated 16-18G wire from the vehicle's ignition wire. House Batteries and Renogy are installed in a tongue box on the travel trailer. I would prefer only to have one 2-pin connector from TV to trailer. Just curious to how yours is wired.
