Battery Isolation Solenoid Installation on a Cab Over Camper

Question:

Can a deep cycle battery be used along with my primary truck battery wired to a battery isolation solenoid and from the solenoid to a deep cycle battery stored in my slide in truck camper? Im wanting to be certain that the deep cycle battery will be charged while the truck is running. In addition I would like to power the Porta Gaz Portable Refrigerator on the deep cycle battery, will this be sufficient. Finally I would like to use the wall receptacle to charge computers and cell phones.

asked by: Dan

Helpful Expert Reply:

A deep cycle battery can be used in this scenario with no problems as long as it is wired properly. A deep cycle battery is capable of longer run times, more amp hours = better battery, and more charging cycles for deep discharges. I recommend using a Group 24, 28, or 32 Deep Cycle battery.

Wiring your truck battery to a secondary 12v Deep Cycle battery through the Battery Isolation Solenoid # PK5231201, will prevent the cab over camper from drawing power from your truck battery when it is not running and will allow the trucks charging system to provide a "maintenance charge" to the Deep Cycle battery. This type of system, due to wire gauge and distance from the charging source, cannot provide enough power to fully charge a depleted battery, so you will still be required to use shore power and a battery charger to fully charge the secondary battery before an outing and periodically during longer outings. Once the battery is fully charged it can be used somewhat and will be topped off by the trucks charging system while the engine is running.

For wire I would use at least 10 gauge wire, # 10-2-1, or larger to wire from the truck battery, through the solenoid to the secondary battery in some way. I would also install a 40 amp circuit breaker like # PK54540 to protect this circuit.

Does your truck have factory tow package wiring? If so the 5th wheel wiring harness, # 41157, can be used to provide a connection point in the bed of your truck. This connection will then have all of the wiring needed to run the camper and you could install the Battery Isolation Solenoid in the camper near the secondary battery to protect the truck from discharge. The trucks tow package fuses would then protect this circuit so you would not need a circuit breaker.

The Porta Gaz Portable Refrigerator is designed to work primarily on LP gas or 120V AC power but can be used with 12 volt power although it will not perform as well on a 12 volt system unless it is kept fully charged.

Any wall receptacle would most likely be wired to shore power only and would not be able to be ran on the 12 volt system unless it was rewired to an inverter like # WC3720. This would require you rewire that outlet to go back to shore power. Your best bet would be to install an inverter and plug into it when you need to charge cell phones and computers and other light duty 120v AC tasks.