Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Electrical Systems, Charging and Solar Electrical components and wiring, batteries, charging systems, generators and solar topics.
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-02-2017, 06:39 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Marietta, OH
Posts: 102
Default Battery Charging System Upgrade

On a recent trip out West, we had a stretch of 7 nights dry camping with stays of 2-3 nights at a site. I was disappointed that my batteries did not recharge very much on the drives between camping sites. So when I got back home, I did some checking and found that my charging system from the Tundra needed an upgrade.
First, the charging wire size was only 12 gauge, while 10 gauge is often recommended for trailer battery charging. Secondly, the truck's alternator was suppling power to many devices and could overcharge my HiLo batteries if I did go to a heavier wire.
I ended up with a CTEK D250S Dual 20 amp charger that takes 12 vdc. power from the alternator (I put in a 8 gauge wire with 30 amp fuse and ignition activated relay) and boosts it up to the voltage level that it needs for "smart" charging of the HiLo. It also serves as an MPPT controller for my 100 watt solar panel and will supplement the solar panel power with alternator power. In the one trial I've done so far, it charged off the truck's alternator at 10 amps. Apparently that's all my batteries needed then because my "smart" 110 vac charger also only charged them at 10 amps.
I won't really know until an extended field test, but the system is working well so far.
__________________

__________________
camperD
2307C and 2010 Tundra 5.7L Double Cab
Marietta, OH
camperD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2017, 09:52 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
hilltool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,256
Default

Thanks for the info. I recommend you also check out "Jack and Janets" post on his install of a pair of solar panels which he installed with the intent of increasing his charging while on the road driving. You have done a good mod with the vehicle charging but more would be better if you like boon docking. Solar would be more. The only thing I would do different than what jack did is figure a way to detach the panel easily for placement away from shade which we get a lot of back here in the Midwest. Arizona not so much.

Rick

link: http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f28/...allation-4354/
__________________

__________________
2201 TL

2010 Nissan Titan king cab SE
4x4
hilltool is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2017, 06:59 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Marietta, OH
Posts: 102
Default

Yes, I too thought Jack's solar panel mod was excellent. My solar panel is not currently roof mounted, as we try to get sites with the trailer in the shade. But after reading his mod, I am thinking about mounting it on the roof, but in a removable tilt frame so I can use it both ways. I have other HiLo projects that are higher priority, so that one is on the back burner.
__________________
camperD
2307C and 2010 Tundra 5.7L Double Cab
Marietta, OH
camperD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2017, 11:38 PM   #4
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,525
Default

Just a note about solar panels and shade. In general, we've camped where there is "partial" shade, so, there's been several hours when the trailer was in sun. And, this has always worked just fine.

But, our last stay at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon had us in nearly FULL shade. (Pretty dense Ponderosa pine forest, and, we were parked facing west so the panels were mostly not in sun until afternoon and then we tended to have clouds, which reduced the light even further.)

So, I had to break out the generator and use it a couple hours in the morning and evening. This was the first time in two years - it worked, but not well due to the 2-year old gas in it. (Wouldn't run steady unless it was on half choke.) When I got home, I found the spark arrester was almost totally clogged, and I had to clean the jets. Now it runs good again and it's been stored with no gas in it.

So, I guess the generator is still a needed "standby".

- Jack
JackandJanet is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2017, 07:03 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Marietta, OH
Posts: 102
Default

Yeah, I was monitoring our battery status pretty closely during our boondocking this summer and sweating out making it through. Having a back-up power system to the batteries and solar panel was one of the reasons I went with the CTEK charger. In effect, my tow vehicle is my generator since I can plug into it and charge my batteries. No additional weight to haul around, no additional fuel supply, and no additional storage space needed. The CTEK is about the size and weight of a brick and the 10 amp charge test I did was with the truck idling. So no significant wear on the engine. Just in case (probably more like when) we run the batteries down while boondocking, we'll have a back-up.
__________________
camperD
2307C and 2010 Tundra 5.7L Double Cab
Marietta, OH
camperD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2017, 01:35 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ohio North Coast
Posts: 850
Default

Backup plan "C" would be to get a small Harbor Freight type generator (400W ?) and an automotive type battery charger. Just plug the charger into the genny and you are all set - direct charge to the battery. Plus you are saving wear and tear on your tow vehicle by not having to run it. Just saying..................

Bob
__________________
2014 FR Heritage Glen 282RK
2013 F250 HD 6.7L Diesel
Formerly Owned: 1995 22D Fun Chaser & 2901L Classic
retiredcamper47 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2017, 01:41 PM   #7
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,525
Default

Bob, if you use an inverter generator (one that supplies 117V power like mine) you can just plug the shore power cord into it. Or, if it's like mine, you can connect it directly to the battery too using the 12V output.

- Jack
__________________

JackandJanet is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hi-Lo Trailers Worldwide or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:02 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
HiLoTrailerForum.com Copyright 2010
×