Going off grid.

[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

 

[Kevin D Pem]

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

Because!!!
How did you like the answer?

The more technical answer is wire length, resistance, different batteries or age. But assuming you start with identical batteries, at identical age, resistance would be the failure..furthermore the thought all batteries will be replaced at the same time is highly unlikely!! So forward thinking would dictate a plan.

But there's more! DC to DC converters are designed to limit current, and that explanation is the winner!!

Each battery location has the equivalent of an individual battery charger set to battery specifications, so each battery can be charged optimally.

So in summary!

Each bank no matter its location gets personal attention!

Because you can set the load you can protect the alternator.

Because the regulator only sees a load rather than battery charge and the fact that you can protect the alternator from excessive outputs, you can tweak the proformance of the alternator and get the most out of it.

Warning:

The chassis battery still needs protection to keep it from draining.


Hope that answers your questions!!!

 

[TheLooks]

Egads Kevin.....but technically correct as usual....lol.

 

[Degnr8]

Because!!!
How did you like the answer?

The more technical answer is wire length, resistance, different batteries or age. But assuming you start with identical batteries, at identical age, resistance would be the failure..furthermore the thought all batteries will be replaced at the same time is highly unlikely!! So forward thinking would dictate a plan.

But there's more! DC to DC converters are designed to limit current, and that explanation is the winner!!

Each battery location has the equivalent of an individual battery charger set to battery specifications, so each battery can be charged optimally.

So in summary!

Each bank no matter its location gets personal attention!

Because you can set the load you can protect the alternator.

Because the regulator only sees a load rather than battery charge and the fact that you can protect the alternator from excessive outputs, you can tweak the proformance of the alternator and get the most out of it.

Warning:

The chassis battery still needs protection to keep it from draining.


Hope that answers your questions!!!

Very helpful, thank you

 

[TheLooks]

I'll just leave this here as a reality check.

Biden's Green Flop: Ford Cuts Electric Truck Production Over Lack of Demand

Ford Motor Co. is reportedly cutting in half production of their all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck.

www.breitbart.com

Tesla Recalls Nearly all Vehicles Sold in U.S. to Fix System that Monitors Drivers Using Autopilot

Tesla is recalling nearly all of the vehicles it sold in the U.S. to address defective software designed to ensure drivers safely use the Autopilot.

www.breitbart.com

 

[Crazydog]

I'll just leave this here as a reality check.

Biden's Green Flop: Ford Cuts Electric Truck Production Over Lack of Demand

Ford Motor Co. is reportedly cutting in half production of their all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck.

www.breitbart.com

Tesla Recalls Nearly all Vehicles Sold in U.S. to Fix System that Monitors Drivers Using Autopilot

Tesla is recalling nearly all of the vehicles it sold in the U.S. to address defective software designed to ensure drivers safely use the Autopilot.

www.breitbart.com

Wow! breitbart is just as trustworthy as an information source a fox news.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I'll just leave this here as a reality check.

Biden's Green Flop: Ford Cuts Electric Truck Production Over Lack of Demand

Ford Motor Co. is reportedly cutting in half production of their all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck.

www.breitbart.com

Tesla Recalls Nearly all Vehicles Sold in U.S. to Fix System that Monitors Drivers Using Autopilot

Tesla is recalling nearly all of the vehicles it sold in the U.S. to address defective software designed to ensure drivers safely use the Autopilot.

www.breitbart.com

Was gonna put up the articles but I've put up my opinion more than most can tolerate!!! Love and reality never have been a good mix

 

[TheLooks]

Elon Musk's Tesla Issues Second Recall in Weeks - This Time for Doors that May Pop Open in Crashes

Elon Musk's Tesla has initiated yet another recall of 120,423 Model S and X vehicles in the United States, this time to address doors that may pop open in the event of a crash when unlocked.

www.breitbart.com

The truth hurts no matter who reports it. Do you deny these events? Or is it just not so because your favorite rag won't report it?

 

[Neal]

Simmer down folks and let's keep on topic and not news, opinions, media, etc.

 

[Degnr8]

So, my tow vehicle is 24 volt but the trailer is 12. Could I use one 24-12V to charge batteries in both?

 

[Kevin D Pem]

So, my tow vehicle is 24 volt but the trailer is 12. Could I use one 24-12V to charge batteries in both?

Yes you can use a DC to DC converter to charge the house batteries. I would change the running lights and brakes to 24v.