Hard wired battery charger?

[225]

What do you guys use for a hard wired battery charger? You know if you are using your 12 volt system all weekend, what do you use to keep the battery from dying?

Do you just use the big battery tender or something else?

Thanks!

[sgip2000]

I plan on putting a solar panel on the roof. With all LED interior lighting, this should be suficient for my needs.

It really depends on what your amperage draw is.

[225]

My plan on 12 volt system is:

All LED lighting inside.
2 Dome lights, 2 reading lights.
2 hatch lights
car stereo
and fantastic fan

[48Rob]

Do you mean if we have a 12 volt system, and are also connected to a power outlet?

If so, my Deltran 5 Amp smart charger acts as a power source while and after charging the batteries.

If you mean 12 volts only, how do you have enough power for a whole weekend, it is a simple matter of detemining how much power is needed, and sizing the battery reserve to supply it.
(outside charging sources excluded ).

Rob

[GuitarPhotog]

I use a WFCO 8725 Converter/Charger. It provides 12VDC for lights and accessories, contains a smart charger for the battery, and handles 120VAC distribution with its circuit breaker panel.

Progressive Dynamics makes similar units that are made in USA, if that's important to you.

<Chas>

[225]

Thanks!

[Shadow Catcher]

We have a Progressive Dynamics power center, simplifies wiring, does the job 300+W solar. Compass Rose has all LED lights,computer case fans .74A max on high but it also has a stereo Sirius receiver 300W Morningstar SurSine inverter to power TV and satellite receiver (not used much but handy during bad weather) (43W). What I am trying to bring up is that what you anticipate your needs/wants are may not be what you actually end up with.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

My plan on 12 volt system is:

All LED lighting inside.
2 Dome lights, 2 reading lights.
2 hatch lights
car stereo
and fantastic fan

Sounds like you will have pretty much the same setup that I have. I have a few more lights, and my cheap Autocraft marine/RV battery from Advance Auto gets me through the weekend. As far as charging the battery when I can plug in somewhere, I installed a WFCO-8725 on my current trailer, but have used the 5A Deltran charger that Rob mentioned and it worked really well too.

[hmikey]

Different "posts" refer to using a 3 stage "deltan" charger, hard wired for 12v power. I understand the charger to battery but how are things wired from that point? Do you use a fuse panel, if so how do you ground? Probaby basic stuff for most people but I need all the help I can get. thanks Mike

[8ball_99]

just charge the battery of your tow vehcile though the trailer wiring and the trailer plugs and run one wire from you tow vehciles postive post on the tow vechiles battery and to your teardrops battery.

and forget about a drop cord and a place to plug it in and all the high dollar solar panels.

just takes like 10 to 15 mintes of idle and charging time with your cars engine to recharge your teardrops battery and it uses next to no gas.


slow

It should take much longer the 10-15 mins to charge a deep cycle battery. A group 24 battery at say 50% would take an hour plus depending the size charging wire and the length. You only talking 10-15 amps

[MDAcresDirector]

I use a WFCO 8725 Converter/Charger. It provides 12VDC for lights and accessories, contains a smart charger for the battery, and handles 120VAC distribution with its circuit breaker panel.

Progressive Dynamics makes similar units that are made in USA, if that's important to you.

<Chas>

What is easiest way to hook this product up

[GuitarPhotog]

I use a WFCO 8725 Converter/Charger. It provides 12VDC for lights and accessories, contains a smart charger for the battery, and handles 120VAC distribution with its circuit breaker panel.

Progressive Dynamics makes similar units that are made in USA, if that's important to you.

<Chas>

What is easiest way to hook this product up

The WFCO comes with some rather obscure hook-up info, but if you google WFCO here on this forum, you'll find some wiring diagrams and photos.

I use one 120VAC circuit breaker as the Master for all 120VAC in the trailer. The converter and the other circuit breakers feed from it.
I use one 120VAC circuit breaker for the 2 duplex receptacles in the trailer.
I use one (the Red) circuit from the WFCO to charge the battery, the other 3 are used for Lights, Fan(s), and Accessory Outlets.

The DC side of the WFCO is much easier to understand than the AC side, unfortunately.

Here's a photo of how I physically installed the WFCO, battery, and terminal strips


You need to click on the small picture to see it larger. The black box is the WFCO, and the red object on the right is the main battery disconnect switch.

My wiring diagram is not in a form or format to share here, but if you have questions, there are several good wiring diagrams posted here that you can use for reference.

<Chas>

[Richard A.]

What do you guys use for a hard wired battery charger? You know if you are using your 12 volt system all weekend, what do you use to keep the battery from dying?

Do you just use the big battery tender or something else?

Thanks!

I use my Honda EU2000i generator to re-charge my battery when it reaches 50% discharge.

[len19070]

I run everything through the Battery.

But.

I charge while towing and use one of these

http://www.harborfreight.com/automatic- ... 42292.html

To charge while plugged in.

Never had a dead Battery even after being out for over a week.

Happy Trails

Len