Wiring question
#1
Posted 30 July 2007 - 03:34 AM
I tried to get professional help for this but everyone is so busy that it would be almost the end of August before it would get done. So I am trying to do the job myself. I am going to reuse the electrical plug installed in the truck bed (I had to try several marine stores before I found one that can order me a new Marinco male plug). How do I wire the battery to the plug? I managed to succesfully hook a new battery up to the camper to run the fridge and lights, etc, but am not sure about how the wiring needs to be run from the truck charging system to the new camper battery (the battery is in the bed of the truck, as there is no room for one in the camper). I seem to remember that there was some type of battery isolator in the camper near the battery. If anyone can show me a picture of their stock battery, isolator and wiring, I would be very greatful.
My goal is to take my daughter camping in the new camper next weekend, so I am feeling a bit rushed, trying to sort this out.
Thanks
Mark
#2
Posted 30 July 2007 - 03:54 AM
I am by no means an expert in this subject but I'll tell you what I did and have been using for some time with no trouble.
My truck has a factory tow package wich includes the 7 way trailer wiring harness. One pin on the 7 way plug is 12v power for charging the battery on tow behind trailers. I simply spliced into this wire and ran it to a Marinco plug (www.westmarine.com) in my bed. I have read about the various isolators but don't really understand what they do or if you need one (I don't have one). The circuit I spliced into is fused 40 amp in the vehicles factory electrical system, I remove this fuse when I camp so that I don't drain the truck battery but I plan on installing a switch in the camper that allows me to dissconnect power from the truck.
Like you I was in a rush to use my camper so I came up with this charging system as sort of a temporary thing, that was about a year ago and about 7,000 miles so I guess it works and I have no plans to change the set up at this point.
Sam
#3
Posted 30 July 2007 - 04:03 AM
#4
Posted 30 July 2007 - 04:18 AM
The old isolator was simple to install under the hood. Wire from your positive battery post to the large post on one side of the isolator. Wire from the other large post to the positive of the camper battery (IE: #2 on the plug.)
Wire from one of the small posts on the isolator to a hot wire in the truck when your key is on. We usually used a wiper wire for this. The other small post is for a ground wire to your truck body.
The ground on the plug can be connected to the frame of the truck.
If you would like a better explanation, feel free to call anytime.
800-446-1003
#5
Posted 30 July 2007 - 04:54 PM
~Jim2000 Tundra AC- 2000 FWC Ranger
2017 Tundra DC - 2017 ATC Panther
#6
Posted 30 July 2007 - 07:01 PM
Because I like things to be more or less standard, and to fit various connections, I would tend to want the TC wiring to connect to a standard RV trailer connector so I could use it for more than one thing -- YMMV! I would use my existing 7-way Bargman-Pollack connector, but not use the brake wire, obviously.
What I have done on my trucks in the past is to put a 30Amp auto-reset circuit breaker http://aopecrelay.ma...uit-Breaker.htm at the truck battery to protect the charging wire to the TC battery (I don't like a fuse because I won't know it's blown until the battery is dead... If it's triggered by more than a momentary short of some kind, I will either hear the clicking or the ARCB will burn up; they don't cost much). Get 'em at auto parts, Wally, etc.
BTW, Home Despot carries Marinco stuf in the electrical dept.
From my readings on various RV groups, the isolation relay is the best way to go, but DON'T use a starter relay because they don't hold up well in an always-on when ignition is on application.
The two conditions under which an isolation relay will really shine are if you have a reefer with a 12VDC mode or if you are running your furnace fan for a long time.
Also, don't use the diode-based isolation systems because they can put a 0.5VDC drop in the charging system and that will result in a significant drop in the percentage charge on the TC battery.
Also, when I wire the trailer connector, I extend the white (negative return/ground) wire not only to the truck frame but also all the way back to the truck battery's negative terminal, rather than relying on frame grounding and connections that may come loose or get corroded. Many (all?) modern trucks no longer rely on frame ground for any wiring except the starting system.
#7
Posted 30 July 2007 - 08:30 PM
I'm not sure how the wiring is for the new camper you have, but here are some sample pictures of different camper battery set ups I have seen in the past on the FWC's. Remember, the pics attached might be more confusing than helpful (laughs). There is about 5 different pics below and each is of a different wiring. I'm hoping you can take what you can to make sense of it all and wire your new camper sucessfully.
I thought most other camper brands use a 6 or 7 pins connector, but I could be wrong ?
I would hate to steer you the wrong direction and have you short something out.
Maybe best to get some in-line fuses just to be on the safe side.
If you e-mail me at ... stan@fourwh.com I can e-mail you a copy of the current wiring install instruction we use now. I CAN'T guaranty that will work for your camper because I'm not sure how it is wired, but it might give you a better idea on how it is all done.
Here are some sample pics that might better show you as well.
Here is a link to the Marinco plug instruction ...
http://www.fourwheel...OCAMPERPLUG.pdf
Talk to you soon ...
,
Stan Kennedy --- Four Wheel Pop-up Campers
1400 Churchill Downs Avenue, Suite A
Woodland, CA 95776
(800) 242-1442 or (530) 666-1442
www.fourwh.com --- e-mail = stan@fourwh.com
#8
Posted 30 July 2007 - 11:08 PM
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#9
Posted 31 July 2007 - 12:03 AM
We use an in line 30 amp fuse today for the same reason.
#10
Posted 31 July 2007 - 02:02 AM
I am trying to locate a local supplier who has a Sure Power "smart solenoid" battery seperator (which is what was in the 4Wheel camper). Lots of people can order me one, but I am looking for something in stock - still hoping to go camping this weekend. I may have to live without charging the battery on this first trip.
Once again thanks and I will let you know how I make out once I have the correct parts.
Pete D said: "BTW, Home Despot carries Marinco stuf in the electrical dept"....now you tell me! I was just there and never thought to look for Marinco parts
Cheers
Mark
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