Going off grid.

[Voyageurs]

And what will that cost if a solar battery is to expensive?

Yah I get that. It’s more a suggestion if he is looking at a clean slate approach of replacing the tow vehicle. If that is in the cards then it’s a simple straight forward solution for someone wanting extreme off grid capabilities with a trailer truck solution. We do this to a lesser more limited degree towing with an electric SUV.

Just a suggestion. There are lots of ways to do it of course.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Yah I get that. It’s more a suggestion if he is looking at a clean slate approach of replacing the tow vehicle. If that is in the cards then it’s a simple straight forward solution for someone wanting extreme off grid capabilities with a trailer truck solution. We do this to a lesser more limited degree towing with an electric SUV.

Just a suggestion. There are lots of ways to do it of course.

Can I ask you a question? Why do you push EVs so desperately? Is it because you see the writing on the walls, with dealer lots being over run by quota they can't sell! Maybe you feel when the market tanks, like it is! you are afraid you won't be able to buy parts to keep your investment going? I don't really care for your answer, I do my research, and wouldn't own one. I just can't figure why you feel you need company!!!

 

[Voyageurs]

Can I ask you a question? Why do you push EVs so desperately? Is it because you see the writing on the walls, with dealer lots being over run by quota they can't sell! Maybe you feel when the market tanks, like it is! you are afraid you won't be able to buy parts to keep your investment going? I don't really care for your answer, I do my research, and wouldn't own one. I just can't figure why you feel you need company!!!

No. Just adding an alternative in an area I have some experience. We all do that on a public forum. I have no problem with gas or diesel vehicles. We have had many. But nothing wrong with discussing alternatives. Electric tow vehicles open up some possibilities within the camping world.

The idea behind public forums is to share knowledge. I have some experience in this realm. Why not share it.

Safe travels.

 

[TheLooks]

If only that were the reason. There is money to be made promoting the "future" in public forums. And they are always the first to cry to admin when someone calls them on it. This I have a good deal of experience in. The pattern is always the same, based on the comments made in the negative. The same responses in a pattern I have come to recognize. You are the best I have seen at it. Consider your response above about buying an overpriced tow vehicle which would restrict his camping ability within the US after he had said a solar battery was to much money. I have looked them up and $10,000 is not out of the question for a decent one. But it was an opportunity to promote "the future". And for the record, I hope it is the future, but only if I have unrestricted ability to move about the country like I have now. That is not a current reality, nor is it likely to be in my lifetime. Carry on with your regularly scheduled program.

 

[Degnr8]

I have a tangential question. I keep reading that I need a DC to DC charger. Why can't I just wire the second battery to the alternator? At this point I'm just talking about in the tow vehicle in case that matters like if the issue is current loss over the distance to the trailer

 

[TheLooks]

By wiring into the tow vehicle battery, you risk running it down to the point of not starting your tow vehicle. A DC to DC unit is used as a separate system to charge the trailer battery from the alternator when the engine is running. It will not run down the tow vehicle battery while the engine is not running.

 

[Degnr8]

I'm converting the tow vehicle into a camper as well. What I was asking about was wiring the house battery in the tow vehicle to the alternator, not the starting battery

 

[TheLooks]

The house battery is connected to the alternator. There is no way to connect both batteries to the charging wire without there being a connection between the batteries......You would need to put a disconnect in and remember to use it when the engine is not running or make it automatic so the switch only activates when the engine is running. ...a relay that powers up when the engine runs.

 

[TheLooks]

I read a bit on this, and alternators do not charge very fast. You may find you have to run the engine a long time. It would charge on a long drive yes. But not like you can run it for 15 minutes and get back up to full charge.

 

[Degnr8]

This is really helpful. Thanks