Battery

[F5driver]

How long does it take to recharge a 31 series battery when it's hooked up to the vehicle? I'm taking an extended trip and can't swing a purchase of a solar panel at this time. So all I have to charge the battery is the jeep.

 

[Martyn]

It's dependent on the wire that you have running from the vehicle to the trailer, and the wire from the trailer to the battery.

If you have 4 gauge cable with an Anderson connection between the vehicle and trailer then it will charge as quickly as your main battery.

If you have 10 gauge wire (standard) running back from the vehicle charge system then it takes a lot longer.

The best thing for you to do is put a volt meter on the trailer battery to get some idea of your charge after driving for a certain length of time.

A word of caution here. If you are discharging your battery and then only partly recharging it from the vehicle on a regular basis the lead plates in the battery are going to become sulpherized. This will reduce your battery to around 2 years instead of the 5-6 year life.

To prevent this we recommend using a smart battery charger when the trailer is not being used.

 

[Markgyver]

Dont intend to Hijack this thread but Martyn do you have a link for the Anderson Connection you are refering to.

 

[off-roader]

Dont intend to Hijack this thread but Martyn do you have a link for the Anderson Connection you are refering to.

Here's one of those connectors... http://store.solar-electric.com/anpo15to45am.html

Google is your friend...

 

[Markgyver]

Here's one of those connectors... http://store.solar-electric.com/anpo15to45am.html

Google is your friend...

Thanks,

Unfortunatly Google did not work for me

 

[go4aryd]

The best thing for you to do is put a volt meter on the trailer battery to get some idea of your charge after driving for a certain length of time.

You can also place a good multimeter in line at the point of your trailer battery and see what the amperage is coming in at idle, and at, say 2000rpm.

We are all assuming you are running the vehicle and charging, not trying to charge by simply plugging in and draining the vehicle main bat.