Charging Battery.....

[Millerk1966]

I am as green as it comes, and want to learn the in's & outs of Battery Connect and Disconnect when charging Truck Camper batteries! I recently bought a 2016 Northstar Vista and am hesitant to go camping in sights that do not have electricity until I figure out how to charge batteries so that I will have lights.

Just making sure I am correct - if you want to charge the batteries the switch for the battery should be connected when charging using 7 pin ( 2015 F-150) or plugged in to outlet. If this is not correct please let me know! Thank you!

Any help that you can give me will be appreciated!

[Camper_Jeff___K]

Has Truck Camper University got some posts for you.

Check out this cheesey thread on how to install a large charge wire from the truck alternator to the TC.

4 Gauge Wire Installation.

[time2roll]

The 12 Volt Side of Life

[PhilR]

I always disconnect from the truck when camping with the engine off and the battery switch on so as not to draw on the truck batteries.

Phil

[TxGearhead]

If your camper has a "Battery Disconnect" be sure it is on. Yeah, it's a double negative...the disconnect is ON so that your truck and the campsite 110V hook up can charge the battery through your converter. Turn the switch to OFF when you take the camper off the truck and store it.
Be aware if you may be able to discharge your truck battery if you are using a lot of 12volt with no campsite hook ups, unless you unplug the truck to camper umbilical cord. But your truck may have a battery isolator to prevent that.

[Old-Biscuit]

If plugged into 120V AC power source then your trailer converter supplies the 12V DC system AND charges/maintains trailer battery

When plugged into your F150 the 12V DC power line via the 7 pin connector will help maintain and charge your trailer battery provided your F150 trailer power Fuse/Relay has been installed AND trailer battery is NOT run down...low voltage.'
Truck charge line is limited due to size of wire and length of wire.
Look in your OWNERS MANUAL for trailer power fuse/relay location and check that it has been placed in the fuse panel

One 12V battery is good for about 1 1/2 maybe 2 days of DC Power then will be needing recharging ---unless you run furnace then battery is good for 1 night (maybe)

[Millerk1966]

Thank you for the information!

[kerrlakeRoo]

If you have any doubt as to whether or not your charging simply do a voltage check, either at the battery or at a 12 volt location in the camper. Engine off you should get about 12.5 volts and with engine running it should be 13+.