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Old 08-17-2016, 05:16 PM   #1
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TowVehicle-to-Trailer charging circuit

I understand that while hooked up for towing that my TV (2012 Ram 1500) will re-charge the coach's battery as long as the TV engine/alternator is running.

I wonder if, while parked in the campsite while boondocking, will the RV completely drain the TV battery over a protracted period....(or will the RAM stop providing power to the RV after the TV battery drops to a certain level?)

Also, if the RV is connected to shore-power, if the converter, while re-charging the RV battery, will also re-charge the TV battery?

(I guess I could conjure up some method of testing all this, but wondered if some of you smarties might already be in possession of this knowledge.)

Thanks.
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Old 08-17-2016, 07:11 PM   #2
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One way to tell would be to check if there is voltage on the positive terminal on the truck end of the trailer 7 way plug when the truck isn't running. The 12vdc positive that charges the TV is the top right looking into the socket, the negative ground is the bottom left. If there's no voltage between the two when the truck isn't running then the trailer can't draw down the TV battery..
Voltage won't go out to the TV if it can't go to the trailer.
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Old 08-17-2016, 07:15 PM   #3
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I doubt it. My GMC is always powered but you're only dealing with a 12-14ga wire running to the trailer connector so you'd have to be sitting for quite some time to drain a battery. And if you had a large draw you'd probably blow the fuse first.
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Old 08-17-2016, 09:13 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxite View Post
I understand that while hooked up for towing that my TV (2012 Ram 1500) will re-charge the coach's battery as long as the TV engine/alternator is running.

I wonder if, while parked in the campsite while boondocking, will the RV completely drain the TV battery over a protracted period....(or will the RAM stop providing power to the RV after the TV battery drops to a certain level?)

Also, if the RV is connected to shore-power, if the converter, while re-charging the RV battery, will also re-charge the TV battery?

(I guess I could conjure up some method of testing all this, but wondered if some of you smarties might already be in possession of this knowledge.)

Thanks.
It varies from one tow vehicle to the next. I believe Dodge has a relay that shuts off the charge circuit when the key is off. Chevy's is always on and I believe Ford is too.

I have installed an isolator relay that gives me the best of both worlds, from Sure Power. It operates based on voltage, and disconnects the charge line when the voltage drops. If the alternator in the truck is running, or the converter is plugged in, it connects everything.
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