DC-DC Charger Connections???

[fjwlobo]

I'm going to do the same thing for my travel trailer hookup to charge the batteries (2 300Ah Lifepo4) while driving using 6 guage wires.

Use a short section of wire from the + battery terminal to a 50A resettable circuit breaker. From the breaker go to a high current relay, then to the Anderson connector at the rear bumper. Connect to a point that is powered only when the truck is running and use an inline fuse from that point to the relay to activate it. I will also be wrapping both wires together with a split plastic wire loom and wrapping that with a wire loom tape to help protect the wires.

By using the relay you remove the Homer moment when go to start your truck and you realize that your battery is dead.

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[JeffD]

I run a 30amp Orion to charge my 2x230ah batteries. I ran a 6ga pair from my truck battery posts to a bumper anderson plus. I did install a 50 amp fuse where the positive connects to battery.
I disconnected the 7 pin hot on the trailer side. So far over a year and the only issue is I use a small bungee to keep the anderson connectors from decoupling.

 

[emesel]

Cargo box power point connector C423. The cargo box power point was optional, but C423 is probably present. A 12 volt power jack (C474) was optional in the bed and plugged into C423..

Cargo box power point connector C423. The cargo box power point was optional, but C423 is probably present. A 12 volt power jack (C474) was optional in the bed and plugged into C423..

Many thanks! This is very helpful. Not sure I'll go this route, but I fully understand now. Mark

 

[emesel]

Cargo Bed Power - Location

Power Operation Notes:
This is powered off of the Power Point Relay #2 and operates (Times Out) on the same timing as the Front Power Points after the engine is shut off, there is not a separate setting for each power point - they work together.
They are factory set to (75 Minutes) and can be altered.
All trims I think has this (Connector) Harness with a dummy plug and you tap in your own connector.
Wolfhaus has a connector that is prewired (Plug & Play) with whatever you want to use or just get the connector separately.

Many thanks for these details; very helpful. Mark

 

[emesel]

I run a 30amp Orion to charge my 2x230ah batteries. I ran a 6ga pair from my truck battery posts to a bumper anderson plus. I did install a 50 amp fuse where the positive connects to battery.
I disconnected the 7 pin hot on the trailer side. So far over a year and the only issue is I use a small bungee to keep the anderson connectors from decoupling.

Thanks, this is very helpful. I planned on running 6 gauge cable, but started thinking I needed to use 4 gauge. So, you have no trouble charging with 30 amps with the 6 gauge cable?

 

[emesel]

I'm going to do the same thing for my travel trailer hookup to charge the batteries (2 300Ah Lifepo4) while driving using 6 guage wires.

Use a short section of wire from the + battery terminal to a 50A resettable circuit breaker. From the breaker go to a high current relay, then to the Anderson connector at the rear bumper. Connect to a point that is powered only when the truck is running and use an inline fuse from that point to the relay to activate it. I will also be wrapping both wires together with a split plastic wire loom and wrapping that with a wire loom tape to help protect the wires.

By using the relay you remove the Homer moment when go to start your truck and you realize that your battery is dead.

Thanks, Mark

 

[JeffD]

Thanks, this is very helpful. I planned on running 6 gauge cable, but started thinking I needed to use 4 gauge. So, you have no trouble charging with 30 amps with the 6 gauge cable?

6 ga is working fine with no apparent issues.

 

[emesel]

If I were to use 4 gauge instead of 6 gauge, what's the best inline, waterproof, 4 gauge fuse holder? With the 6 gauge, I planned to use an inline maxi fuse, but I don't see these available in 4 gauge.

 

[RangerBill]

If I were to use 4 gauge instead of 6 gauge, what's the best inline, waterproof, 4 gauge fuse holder? With the 6 gauge, I planned to use an inline maxi fuse, but I don't see these available in 4 gauge.

4 gauge can handle 70 amps. 6 gauge wire can handle 55 amps of current. Why would you need that much current for a 30 amp charger? 8 gauge can handle 40 amps and would seem adequate to me.

See this web site:
https://www.cerrowire.com/products/resources/tables-calculators/ampacity-charts/

 

[emesel]

6 ga is working fine with no apparent issues.

Thanks! Good to know. [

4 gauge can handle 70 amps. 6 gauge wire can handle 55 amps of current. Why would you need that much current for a 30 amp charger? 8 gauge can handle 40 amps and would seem adequate to me.

See this web site:
https://www.cerrowire.com/products/resources/tables-calculators/ampacity-charts/

Thanks for the info. I have a Victron Orion XS, which has adjustable output up to 50 amps. My initial goal was to replace the 10 amps my fridge uses. Now thinking I'd like to be able to get 30 amps from time to time.

 

[hami6718]

Yes, I know. I'm just going to re-install mine with separate wiring from the battery to get more amps when charging.

Could you also connect it directly to the alternator hot side, with a fuse of course? I am thinking about what it would take to have the truck charge the rv battery if it gets low boondocking. Maybe a 40 amp DCtoDC wired(6ga/8ga?) from the alternator to an Anderson connector at the bumper, using the 7-pin hot as an ignition signal?

 

[emesel]

Could you also connect it directly to the alternator hot side, with a fuse of course? I am thinking about what it would take to have the truck charge the rv battery if it gets low boondocking. Maybe a 40 amp DCtoDC wired(6ga/8ga?) from the alternator to an Anderson connector at the bumper, using the 7-pin hot as an ignition signal?

I don't know ... I was wondering the same thing. That is, can the 7-pin charge wire be used to trigger the Victron Orion XS?

 

[JeffD]

My Orion self triggers based on if it detects alternator output. I am not familiar with the XS so YMMV.

 

[JeffD]

My Orion self triggers based on if it detects alternator output. I am not familiar with the XS so YMMV.

Ok, I read the XS manual and it also has Engine Running Detection. You do not need a trigger wire, and personally I can envision some problems having one. Disconnect you 7 pin hot on trailer side and let the Orion do its thing.

 

[fjwlobo]

Could you also connect it directly to the alternator hot side, with a fuse of course? I am thinking about what it would take to have the truck charge the rv battery if it gets low boondocking. Maybe a 40 amp DCtoDC wired(6ga/8ga?) from the alternator to an Anderson connector at the bumper, using the 7-pin hot as an ignition signal?

Look at post 16

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