School me on setting up a "house battery"

[LilKJ]

I'm looking at setting up a deep cycle battery in the back of my KJ that will be used only for accessories when the engine is off. (fridge, LED lighting, Ipod, etc). I have the battery at this point... but not really sure where to start with the charging and whatnot...

My first thought was a solar cell on the roof basically acting as a trickle charger only on that battery... what are my other options?

 

[SunTzuNephew]

Small solar panels = low charge rates...and batteries are happiest when charged at the right rate, your Liberty isn't big enough for a big enough solar panel even when it's directed right at the light.

You can run charge cables from a battery isolator to the deep cycle, or if your loads are modest enough and trips short enough, charge off of house current when you get home. Or use a small gas engine generator, either the battery charge function or running an AC battery charger.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

55-60 watt panel will cover your loads (at least it does mine) you need to find a panel to fit your roof and you can make it a stand alone system.

 

[LilKJ]

I guess I could be a little more specific on the planned usage...

This setup is basically just for the stuff after the day of wheeling but before I turn in for the night. I would, in theory, have the entire following day to slowly charge the battery back up. It wouldn't be used at all during the day unless I went for a long day hike and wanted to keep the fridge cold.