I need HELP!!!: Charge RPod Batteries with TV

Print Page | Close Window

Charge RPod Batteries with TV

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13194
Printed Date: 09 May 2024 at 8:32pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Charge RPod Batteries with TV

Posted By: Jeepinator
Subject: Charge RPod Batteries with TV
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2019 at 9:02pm

After a reasonable amount of research I believe that charging with the TV alternator could potentially deliver 27 amps if I use a 10 gauge wire from TV battery (after isolator) to RPod.

Assumptions as follows:

Voltage drop across the wire will be V=I/R.

V is Voltage

I is current - which would be the charging current from the truck

R is resistance

10ga is .9989 ohms/1000ft

1/((36*0.9989)/1000) = 27.80 amps

1 Volt (13.5 - 12.5)

36 Feet. (TV to camper and back to TV)

The alternative would be a 12v to 12v charger perhaps but other than a potentially higher charge rate I’m not sure it’s worth the money.

Thoughts?

-------------
2018 Jeep Wrangler Willys
2017 179

Replies:

Posted By: seafans
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2019 at 10:38pm

Check the output of the alternator. The jeep should have about a 160 Amp alternator if it has the tow package and aftermarket alternators with more output go up from there. When I wired my SUV for power to the trailer E-trailer suggested using an automatic reset 30 amp circuit breaker parallel in the wire, and a 10 amp for the brakes.

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2019 at 4:49am

1V drop is about right for the conditions you describe. But 1V is a lot on a 12V system. You'll likely never push that much current because the voltage will drop at the TV battery due to the load on the alternator (the alt ratings are at high rpm, not idle), so you'll wind up down around 12V or less at the trailer battery. That's why we don't trip our 30A trailer charge circuit c/b's when we run 10 AWG wire to the trailer connector. Maybe if you started with a fully charged TV battery, a fully discharged trailer battery, and immediately drove off so that your alternator was putting out its full current.

Please DO install that 30A breaker btw, the closer to the battery the better.

-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: seafans
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2019 at 10:14pm

Jeepinator

36 feet seems like a long distance for the #10 gauge wire? From the battery to the 7-prong connector equals how may feet? The ground wire only requires to go from the 7-prong connector to the closes bolt or heavy screw on the TV. I found a good amp/wire chart. Hope this works: http://www.offroaders.com/technical/12-volt-wiring-tech-gauge-to-amps/

Posted By: Jeepinator
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2019 at 7:10am

Seafans,

36’ was a round trip to the TV battery. Thanks for the info!

-------------
2018 Jeep Wrangler Willys
2017 179