Anybody else been down this road before I strain my brain figuring it all out?

Thanks!

 

Are you going to do a project involving needed extra power??

 

Yes.
Mostly to run stuff when I am camping.

I have a battery or two picked out, a charge controller and I am deciding between a 36 cell or a 60 cell pv module.

 

I just found the other thread about this topic and it doesn't sound cut and dry like my old *****'s..... darn it!

Heck, I'm a solar guy.... I think I will just secure a 60 cell module on top of my new shell while I am driving and run it direct to a completely isolated battery.

I may consider adding one of these if I hit too many cloudy days.

 

If you're just trying to charge a battery, my strong suggestion would be to either charge it off the 7-pin battery charge circuit (assuming that's enough current for you) or buy you a small Honda generator and handle it that way. Running the truck for no reason but to charge the battery is a waste... and as you've ascertained, the process isn't quite so simple these days.

Just wait till we see 36/48/72V systems.

 

I did this. Had a heater in my cab for a while for my dogs during the winter. I ended up taking it out. They wired it off the main battery and had it all set up in the truck bed, running under the truck somewhere to get there. I didn't do it and I have since pulled it out so I can't really be of much help other than to say yes I've done it.

 

That will be cool to see!

The goal is to use alternator power while under way to charge and solar power when not.
I have no intention of running the truck just to charge the battery bank.

While parked I would just set out my solar panel to augment charging.

I did not realize I could do that off the 7 pin so I will have to see what that charge rate is.
I will google it!
Will the battery management system see that as just an auxiliary load?
Honestly, that hadn't even occurred to me......... clearly.

I guess I have some homework cut out for me while I work my way through my Spanish language manual! I have a decent working knowledge of Spanish but it is definitely not my first language and I constantly have to think of what I am saying, reading and hearing.

What I will be running is basically a camping fridge and separate freezer that while cycling use 5A/each but are supposed to average about 2A/each when at operating temp, maybe a light or two and maybe charge a laptop or two with a little music.
With two kids I expect more towards the higher Ah usage during the day and close to the bottom end at night.

I considered a generator but I don't want the fuel nor maintenance and noise of it.
Besides, I am a residential solar guy so I can come up with a solid system with a few days of autonomy.

So far these are the components I am considering.

Two Batteries in Series

Blue Sky Charge Controller

60 Cell PV Module

I will probably throw a small sinewave inverter into the mix.

I am confident I can come up with a mounting system for my roof rack where I can adjust the pv module in either landscape or portrait mode while stationary and flat while underway.

The other benefit of this system will be portability.... when we have the fiestas where there is no power we can easily keep beverages and food cold and music on without the noise of a generator.

Honestly, I only want to use quality components.... after a career in the fire service in SoCal I am a big fan of over engineering and I also believe in buy once and buy right rather than saving a few dollars up front only to replace down the line.

My expectation is many years of reliable service out of this system.

Happy USA Mother's Day to all.... we celebrated it here in Mexico on Wednesday but we will double up today with a nice beach day with ceviche and cold beverages along with foot massages since there is no surf!

 

The 7 pin is really just for running trailer lights and brakes. I think you'll find that the wiring is too small for charging. But running heavy gauge cable to wherever you're mounting the battery shouldn't be difficult.

 

My question to this is would the battery management system just see this as an auxiliary load?
I can't imagine why not..... it would just be a glorified cigarette lighter adaptor with a 10 AWG circuit.
I could run that direct off the battery, along the frame and into the bed easily enough and put a fuse block in my little box I will build for my charge controller.

I have to get an english language manual..... I was just going through my Mexico manual and my brain started to ache......

 

You'll find almost all your answers here - https://diplostrat.org/documents/

Fred knows his stuff.