Charging batteries??

[jdanthony26]

Hey all, should my 2 lead acid batteries charge while I’m hooked to the truck? While I’m running my generator? Seems that the only time they charge is while I’m connected to shore power. I do have a solar setup that was put in by the dealer. All the systems seems to work independently.

I have read that some truck will not allow the charge , I’ve got a 22 F350 diesel.

any info / advice would be appreciated

thanks!

[TucsonJim]

Hi JD, and welcome to the forum. Your truck should provide some current to charge the RV batteries when the seven way connector is plugged in. As for the solar, it should be providing current to charge the batteries at the same time. If you have a volt meter, you can check them independently.

1. Disconnect from shore power, disconnect the 7-way connector on the truck, turn off the generator, and turn off any solar powered devices.
2. Measure the battery voltage with the meter.
3. Connect the truck, start the engine, and check the battery voltage again. If there is an increase in voltage, the truck is providing a charging current.
4. Disconnect the truck, and turn on the generator. Once again, if the voltage at the battery goes up, then the generator is powering your converter and charging the batteries. If there is no increase, you'll need to find out how the generator is connected and if there is a transfer switch that may not be operating.
5. Turn off the generator, and turn on the solar charging system. Again, check the battery voltage to see if it increases. If not, then the solar charging system needs to be checked.

Jim

[Jlawles2]

Yoda posted an interesting note on the new Ford's. Something about the charging circuit not kicking in until the transmission was in gear?

[Yoda]

First thing to check is you disconnect switch is on positon (red handle cant be removed) If off the battery's will not charge . As for the Ford trucks yo need to depress the brake peddle for it to activate charging to the trailer.

[Scott'n'Wendy]

As for the Ford trucks yo need to depress the brake peddle for it to activate charging to the trailer.

Good for Ford owners to know. Wonder why they would have it work that way?

I like the Dodge layout. 7 pin connector wired directly to the battery, no relays to fail, no canbus commands to activate. But I digress.

[howson]

Yoda -- and the driver's door closed, too. While testing the output with a multimeter (and going back and forth to the truck) that was a hard lesson-learned!

[jdanthony26]

Battery switch is in the on position, tan some tests, my generator is supplying power to the batteries. The truck is not. Interesting that you have to push the brake down to get constant power. I’m still building onto my solar setup to try and not have to worry as much about the batteries dying