19 replies to this topic

[Bombsight]

I'm curious as to how the FWC electronics (Brake light, running lights, battery charging, etc, etc.) connect to most trucks.

 

Do they connect in the bed area?

 

Do we need a special connection via truck dealership or FWC?

 

Any info. or pics of the connection on a GMC Sierra would be awesome.

 

Thanks

Edited by Bombsight, 08 February 2016 - 05:22 PM.

[DrJ]

There is a connection from truck to camper on the drivers side front of the bed. 

This was installed by FWC on both of my Chevys. They run a power line to that directly from the truck battery and another line to the lighting system in the truck usually in the tailgate light. 

 

They look like this:

 

http://www.amazon.co...ling motor plug

 

 

http://www.amazon.co...ling motor plug

[craig333]

On mine there are no brake lights or running lights on the camper itself so its just a ground and hot into the camper.

[elmo_4_vt]

What about the wire size and fusing for the wiring coming from the truck to the camper?  Any suggestions on what to use there?  I would think a #10 wire and a 30amp Fuse would be more than adequate, but looking for suggestions.

 

Don

 

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[PaulT]

While 10 ga is what FWC uses, it is a one time expense so I would use 6 or 8 and forego the concern about voltage drop and lower charging ability. FWC uses a 30 amp self resetting circuit breaker and that seems to be fine.

Paul

[craig333]

I'd do that also if I were rewiring mine. I ran a second set of 10ga just because I had it sitting around.

[Happyjax]

You will get a better charge on your batteries by going to a heavier gauge wire. I would use 6

[elmo_4_vt]

Thanks for the input all.  I do feel the need to say one thing though about larger wire sizes that I keep seeing here as I read more an more about my future camper.  While using larger wire sizes is obviously not a problem (other than expense), unless I'm missing something, I don't think using them will generally give you a "better" charge.  Quicker yes, but either will still get to the same voltage level.  Even the smallest wire with higher resistance will still flow current if the voltage potential is different between the source and the depleted battery.  Any current flow will provide charging for the battery, raising it's voltage.  As the voltage gets closer between the two, the current will get less, and therefor the voltage drop due to wire resistance gets less.  At some point, they will equalize as long as the there isn't a large continuous drain on the camper battery.  Also, if there is smaller wire at any point along the path, you need to fuse the line for the that wire rating.  Being able to through 50+ amps into a camper battery isn't necessarily a good thing either.  Given the choice, it's better from a battery health perspective to charge a battery slower as long as you're still getting a full charge by the time you stop again.

 

Don

 

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[Bombsight]

 

 

They look like this:

 

http://www.amazon.co...ling motor plug

 

 

http://www.amazo

n.com/Attwood-Connector-Trolling-Motor-Male/dp/B001O0D6NI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454953366&sr=8-1&keywords=attwood+trolling+motor+plug

 

 

Thanks, everyone.

Is there a mount for the plugs or do they just hang in the bed?

[longhorn1]

The plug is mounted by FWC/Dealer on the drivers side of the bed rail. They mount the rest under the hood next to the battery
Jd

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Edited by longhorn1, 09 February 2016 - 01:21 PM.