ACR install on 2013 Chevy
This writeup is in response to a request to detail the specifics of this install. I had not been successful in finding a writeup on a 2013 Chevy install to fix the battery drain issue, so I read/researched the subject until I was crosseyed. I'm not going to get into discussions about methodology, wire size, equipment choice etc, as there are many opinions as to the best way to accomplish this. I'm detailing what I did after lots of research and discussions with industry techs, who recommended this equipment and agreed with my conclusions.
Due to Chevy's stock wiring that keeps the trailer aux wire hot all the time, with some bad luck and/or excessive house battery drain, one could find themselves with a vehicle battery dead as well. There are a number of ways to fix this from solenoids, diodes, manual switches, etc., but I decided to go the ACR (automatic charging relay) route. As the name implies, battery connect/disconnect is automatic, with no input from the operator needed, hence nothing to remember (or in my case, forget).
I used the Blue Sea #7611 ACR, as per my conversation with the Blue Sea Tech Rep (very helpful, who provided excellent customer service) along with one of their 50A circuit breakers, model # 7183. I also used a dedicated 10ga. wire in a 1/2" loom run from the ACR down the firewall, then alongside the factory loom attached to the driverside frame rail to the 7way connector located in the forward driverside pickup bed panel. The toughest part of this install was locating the ACR to allow removal of the factory fuse box cover, ACR cover access and battery terminal or battery removal, without having to remove other appliances. I did have to replace the bolt used for the fender brace with a shorter one that cleared the ACR cover with a buttonhead allen screw and nyloc nut.
I found a spot to mount the ACR on the driverside fender, behind the battery, ahead of the fuse box, tucked up almost to the top of the panel. This location allows access to all items mentioned earlier, but is very close quarters to the fuse box. If someone does this install, I suggest to get your wiring and terminals mocked up to confirm everything will fit with access to terminals and allows covers to be removed, before drilling your mounting holes.
The circuit breaker was mounted just below the ACR and the inline fuse for the ACR is in between the two appliances.
The system works as advertised and its nice knowing my vehicle batteries are now isolated from the house batteries anytime the truck engine is shutdown. Hopefully this will be of benefit to someone that is searching for a fix to this issue.
Due to Chevy's stock wiring that keeps the trailer aux wire hot all the time, with some bad luck and/or excessive house battery drain, one could find themselves with a vehicle battery dead as well. There are a number of ways to fix this from solenoids, diodes, manual switches, etc., but I decided to go the ACR (automatic charging relay) route. As the name implies, battery connect/disconnect is automatic, with no input from the operator needed, hence nothing to remember (or in my case, forget).
I used the Blue Sea #7611 ACR, as per my conversation with the Blue Sea Tech Rep (very helpful, who provided excellent customer service) along with one of their 50A circuit breakers, model # 7183. I also used a dedicated 10ga. wire in a 1/2" loom run from the ACR down the firewall, then alongside the factory loom attached to the driverside frame rail to the 7way connector located in the forward driverside pickup bed panel. The toughest part of this install was locating the ACR to allow removal of the factory fuse box cover, ACR cover access and battery terminal or battery removal, without having to remove other appliances. I did have to replace the bolt used for the fender brace with a shorter one that cleared the ACR cover with a buttonhead allen screw and nyloc nut.
I found a spot to mount the ACR on the driverside fender, behind the battery, ahead of the fuse box, tucked up almost to the top of the panel. This location allows access to all items mentioned earlier, but is very close quarters to the fuse box. If someone does this install, I suggest to get your wiring and terminals mocked up to confirm everything will fit with access to terminals and allows covers to be removed, before drilling your mounting holes.
The circuit breaker was mounted just below the ACR and the inline fuse for the ACR is in between the two appliances.
The system works as advertised and its nice knowing my vehicle batteries are now isolated from the house batteries anytime the truck engine is shutdown. Hopefully this will be of benefit to someone that is searching for a fix to this issue.
