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Old 10-12-2017, 07:24 PM   #1
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Questions involving the tow vehicle electrical system

I have two questions involving the tow vehicle battery:

1. If my trailer is hitched to my truck and electrically connected to it, and the trailer is parked and connected to shore power, will the trailer's battery charger charge my truck's battery?

2. In a similar situation but without shore power, will my trailer's solar panels charge my truck's battery?
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Old 10-12-2017, 07:30 PM   #2
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I have two questions involving the tow vehicle battery:

1. If my trailer is hitched to my truck and electrically connected to it, and the trailer is parked and connected to shore power, will the trailer's battery charger charge my truck's battery?

2. In a similar situation but without shore power, will my trailer's solar panels charge my truck's battery?
While I suspect it depends on the vehicle, I'd bet that with the ignition off, it is unlikely that either sources would charge toe tow battery.

Now, if you wired directly to the battery without an isolation relay, that is a different story, but the charge rate would probably be as bad as charging the trailer battery from the tow vehicle.
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Old 10-12-2017, 07:45 PM   #3
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No. Try an extension cord from the trailer 120 V outlet and a battery tender hooked to the TV battery.
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Old 10-13-2017, 02:06 AM   #4
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1. If my trailer is hitched to my truck and electrically connected to it, and the trailer is parked and connected to shore power, will the trailer's battery charger charge my truck's battery?
Yes, but as Jon explained only if the truck's circuit for the trailer battery is left connected when the truck is not running. It shouldn't be, but some apparently are.

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2. In a similar situation but without shore power, will my trailer's solar panels charge my truck's battery?
Same as with shore power, since the wiring between the trailer's battery and the truck is not affected by connection of shore power.
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Old 10-13-2017, 09:34 AM   #5
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It really depends on weather you have a battery isolator and what kind. Easy way to tell would be to hook a battery charger or plug in your trailer with the truck hooked up. Check both trailer battery and TV battery voltage before plugging in and after. If both voltages rise you know there is no Isolation. If the trailer battery voltage rises but TV doesn't then you know there is. You might want to do this at night so Solar has no effect. You also could burn all surface charge off both by running lights on both for ten minutes or so.
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Old 10-13-2017, 11:15 AM   #6
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Another way to check on whether your TV battery is isolated from the trailer when the ignition is off is to use a multi-meter and check the charge circuit for continuity on the TV. The TV charge circuit is usually at the 1 o'clock position looking at the TV. Check for voltage between this location and ground both with the ignition off and on. If there is no voltage when the ignition is off your TV battery should be isolated from the trailer batteries even if left plugged in as long as the ignition is off.
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Old 10-13-2017, 11:35 AM   #7
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Do not assume your vehicle has a battery isolator.
My 2014 does not !
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Old 10-13-2017, 01:21 PM   #8
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The Dodge Ram 1500 Steve and myself as well as other have do not shut off, their light circuit is live with or without the key, so one must physically disconnect.
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Old 10-13-2017, 01:28 PM   #9
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my highlander did not have a battery isolator but i was told it did. Dead battery now i always unplug the vehicle when i am staying hitched for the night
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Old 10-13-2017, 02:21 PM   #10
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You can install an after market isolator like this one.

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Old 10-13-2017, 05:37 PM   #11
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I do not like messing with factory wiring while still under warranty.
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Old 10-13-2017, 06:14 PM   #12
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I do not like messing with factory wiring while still under warranty.
My sentiments exactly .👍
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Old 10-13-2017, 10:21 PM   #13
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Looks pretty complicated. I think I saw a pancreas in there.

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You can install an after market isolator like this one.

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Old 10-13-2017, 10:24 PM   #14
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Thanks all for the replies. Unsurprisingly, my question was prompted by electrical problems in my truck. Turns out that charging didn't matter-- I needed a new battery. Occam's Razor wins again.
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Old 10-14-2017, 12:26 AM   #15
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Looks pretty complicated. I think I saw a pancreas in there.
TOTally
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