cameronskidoo

Yep,
Once you have plugged it in u then have to go back to truck and step on brake for a couple seconds.

Really handy if you have an electric jack!!

Absolutely retarded engineering.
I wonder what there reason is for this??

subpay

The only thing I can think of is that it prevents you from having a live 12V plug until you need it.

old_programmer

You won't see power unless the trailer is plugged in and configured. There is also no fuse in the line as the charge line is controlled by the built in computer controlled charger. As one of the earlier posts state the charge line wire is pretty small so about all it is good for is maintaining the battery charge. If you need more current you will need to install your own line which is what I'm doing at the moment.

Geronimo John

Many RV's are now using an "Easy Start" to allow a Honda EU2000 inverter generator to power up their A/C units. Mine works great, as does the scores of them installed in our Oliver Travel Trailers. the Easy Start reduces the locked rotor amperage down to well below what the Honda can deliver. When this generator wears out,in about 15 years, I'll upgrade to the newer Honda EU2200.

I carry a Honda, and manage power so that I can run my AC at will. To do so, I run the refer and hot water heater on gas. Then is is only a matter of managing the use of the Microwave, the A/C, and the battery charger.

Flamingtaco

3.75 year old thread. Not a record, but, still...

Steve83

Yes, I realize this is an old thread...The 80s & 90s F-series were built with a factory (optional) ~8ga wire for trailer battery charging via an always-hot 30A fuse, and 30A relay which was triggered by the key being in RUN or START.

(phone app link)


So there ARE trucks built for heavy charging, and you can easily add that "factory" circuit to a truck not originally built that way. 50' of this is enough to pull it double on any F150, which would be the equivalent of 8ga:

bikendan

Not only is this resurrected thread nearly 4 years old but your post has nothing to do with the OP's topic of the tow vehicle charging the trailer battery.

Geronimo John

Bikendan:

Point well taken. I was responding to the EIGHT old posts that were submitted long before you joined this forum. Those posts had morphed over to power needs of the trailer. So I'll strive to do better.

In the mean time, times have changed since 2016 and the Easy Start units have made it possible to run a RV A/C on a small Honda generator. OOPs, that's "power needs of the trailer".... Looks like I slipped into the trap again.

Sorry.

bikendan

i own a Honda 2000i and am well aware of the Easy Start kit and may eventually get one for my TT's a/c. But you could have easily just started a new thread about it. The Easy Start is strictly related to a RV's air conditioner and has nothing to do with charging the trailer's battery.

brwarrior

A guestimate would be a set of #4 AWG to carry 20A at 12V 20' (figure up and down and that may not get you to the inverter itself). 12VDC doesn't go very far. Granted you'll probably be 13.2 to over 14 volts as you'll only be charging while running. Someone posted a video above and IIRC he ran #4 (I follow him). Then you'll need a large connector. Something like an Anderson Power Connector. I've seen a few YouTube channels put these in because of their LiFePO4 banks need over 14V to fully charge.