htwheelz67
orange county
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Joined: 11/16/2009
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I'm using this setup The price dropped to 499.00 about a week after I bought for 549.00 on sale works great, keeps my 2 6v batts charged perfectly.
http://www.solarblvd.com/p2396/Two-Sunwi........star-SS-MPPT-15L-Free!/product_info.html
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pryan
New Hampshire
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Joined: 07/25/2010
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Again, thanks folks! Seems like a bit more than I want to spend given what I'd use it for. A second battery may be a more cost effective solution, at least for me. But, without all of your help I may not have reached that conclusion. So, many thanks!
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eddie3260
Florence, al
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Joined: 05/26/2007
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Jimehc wrote:A cheap solution is to connect your Truck battery to your Trailer battery using jumper cables - that way you can recharge the TT battery with your truck running..
If you have the fuse installed, you should be able to charge through your truck wiring harness as well, eliminating the need for jumpers.
Check your owners manual for the location of the fuse slot on your vehicle.
Need to also remember, if it's not sunny you're not going to get the rated power output of a solar panel. Most camping sites I go to are under a lot of trees. May want to think about buying a small generator and 12 volt charger.
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pryan
New Hampshire
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Can you explain what you mean by the fuse being installed? I did plug the amper into my truck wiring harness. Should I run the truck or just plug it in for a time?
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eddie3260
Florence, al
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pryan wrote:Can you explain what you mean by the fuse being installed? I did plug the amper into my truck wiring harness. Should I run the truck or just plug it in for a time?
I've got a GMC and it came from the factory without the fuse for auxillary 12 volt power to the harness connector. I found the location of this fuse in the owners manual. Believe it was a 30 or 40 amp fuse I had to buy and install. Depending on with manufacturer you went with, you may already have aux. power to your connector. If you have a voltmeter and know which pin on the connector is aux power, you can easily check to see if it's present already.
If you don't run the engine, it will not charge up the camper battery. It will just draw power from both your camper and truck batteries.
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Jimehc
Taylorsville, Kentucky
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Joined: 07/01/2010
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A cheap solution is to connect your Truck battery to your Trailer battery using jumper cables - that way you can recharge the TT battery with your truck running..
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pryan
New Hampshire
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I have a Chevy that came with a tow package also. Where was your fuse? I bet mine will be in the same place.
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eddie3260
Florence, al
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pryan wrote:I have a Chevy that came with a tow package also. Where was your fuse? I bet mine will be in the same place.
It's in the fuse box located in the engine compartment. Mine is on the driver side. Bottom of the fuse box lid should tell you which one is for trailer aux 12 volt. If you bought the truck new, most likely the fuse slot will be empty.
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htwheelz67
orange county
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or it will have a blank fuse in it like my 06
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pryan
New Hampshire
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Sorry I didn't get back sooner to this answer. Thanks Eddie and htwheelz. I checked and didn't locate; however, it's likely me. I'll find someone who is a bit more familiar with this stuff.
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