How to charge the batteries from the TV

[jlester]

I have all the inside panels removed on my 1962 globetrotter and are in the process of wiring everything up. I have a battery charger from West Marine which runs on 110 when I am connected to shore power. I do not understand how I connect the 12V connection from the TV to charge the batteries while I am driving. Can someone explain how I do this. Thank you very much.

Julia.

[MTnestRobin]

Hi Julia,

I hope some help comes along for you soon! I am interested in following your thread as well. I will be getting and hooking up a battery and charger in the very near future.

I have a Globetrotter too, just a few years older. I would be interested to know where your systems were located as several of mine were removed, ie., the fresh water tank, the pump, and where you are putting your charger.

Regards,

[IndyAnne]

I've read somewhere that a separate circuit has to be constructed from the tow vehicle's battery, isolating the charging of the battery.

And, I've read that there might be a difference between gas and diesel vehicles, since some diesels have two batteries and one of them is more appropriate than the other for isolating the charging circuit for the trailer.

I have a diesel, so I'm keen to find out.

That's about all I know, which is not much. I hope this provokes some help!

Anne

Originally Posted by jlester

I have all the inside panels removed on my 1962 globetrotter and are in the process of wiring everything up. I have a battery charger from West Marine which runs on 110 when I am connected to shore power. I do not understand how I connect the 12V connection from the TV to charge the batteries while I am driving. Can someone explain how I do this. Thank you very much.

Julia.

[IndyAnne]

I found a helpful link here:

Hellroaring Battery Isolator/Combiner notes for Multi-Battery isolation in RV/Camper/Trailer Applications

Looks like they're in Montana, not sure that's relevant, it's a big state :-)

Anne

[69AmbassFl]

IndyAnne,
What will you be using for a fuse panel? Will you be using one or two batteries? Most of the fuse panels I have seen on the earlier models have the TV charge line comming into a 40 amp fuse at the fuse panel. It then charges the battery back through the pos batt cable which is also fused(some 40 amp, some 50 amp). You can go to Airstream.com, select North America, then customer service. Then select FAQ, on the list it will say plugs. Select this and it will bring up some years, I believe the earliest is 64-65. It gives a basic electrical schematic for connecting to TV through a 7 pin connector. You will be looking for a blue wire for the charge line on the schematic( I believe it has a 25 amp circuit breaker on the TV side and a 40 amp fuse on the trailer side.
I hope this helps,

John

[IndyAnne]

John, thanks for your post. I'm a little behind in responding. Good questions, and I'll add this to my checklist. Thanks for the details!
Anne

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by jlester

I have all the inside panels removed on my 1962 globetrotter and are in the process of wiring everything up. I have a battery charger from West Marine which runs on 110 when I am connected to shore power. I do not understand how I connect the 12V connection from the TV to charge the batteries while I am driving. Can someone explain how I do this. Thank you very much.

Julia.

What TV are you using? My Ford has a seperate circuit isolated by a relay from the Battery "buss". WHen the ignition is off the charging is off. THere are many threads that tell you which lead on the connector is the right one.

[IndyAnne]

I have a Chevy Silverado 2500. I will check on the circuits and the threads and find the correct way to route this isolated path for charging the battery. I appreciate the feedback very much!
Anne