Forum Discussion

ColoradoWrangle's avatar
ColoradoWrangle
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014

Charging Question

We'll be pulling a small Livin'Lite trailer with a Toyota Tacoma. The Tacoma has a built-in Inverter with the "Power Outlet" in the bed of the truck and only works when the engine is running (Max Capacity - 120 VAC/100 W when being driven).
I could put a "BatteryMINDer ( http://batteryminders.com/details.php?prod=12117 ) in the truck's bed connected to the trailer battery and charge/maintain the battery when driving. Or, should I just let the truck's alternator charge the battery as would be the standard procedure?
Thanks for any information.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Mar 30, 2014
    Hi,

    Yes, use it for battery charging--but make sure that it is pure sine wave. Some battery chargers don't live long and prosper on modified sine wave.
  • ColoradoWrangle's avatar
    ColoradoWrangle
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2014
    OK, Thanks.
    I'll not use the BatteryMINDer. Instead, I can use the Power Outlet to charge the battery for a battery powered drill which I can use to lower and raise the stabilizing jacks on the trailer. We boondock a lot, so got to find a way to use the 120 volts available on the truck when we are traveling.........
    This should work,...... right?
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Mar 30, 2014
    Forget the Minder and just rely on the alternator as it will give more power without all the nonsense.
  • WrongWayRandall's avatar
    WrongWayRandall
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2014
    Save the 'minder for the garage and hook it to the trailer battery when not in use. Install the standard wiring to provide power to the 7-way jack at the bumper and let it do it's thing while you are driving. The E-trailer website has plenty of good info on how to handle the wiring if you are not familiar with what to do.

    - Randy
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Mar 30, 2014
    I think your over thinking this a bit. Just use the normal charging system and it will take good care of the RV battery.
  • ColoradoWrangle's avatar
    ColoradoWrangle
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2014
    Got it: Keep It Simple .............

    Just thought the "Minder" part of the Charger might help as it does things that just a "Charger" doesn't do such as act as a "Desulfator"

    Thanks
  • pugslyyy's avatar
    pugslyyy
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2014
    Either way you would be using the alternator.

    Alternator creates DC -> charges trailer battery

    Alternator creates DC -> Inverter creates AC -> battery minder creates DC -> charges trailer battery


    Seems a lot simpler to not convert DC to AC and then back to DC again.

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