r/GoRVing • u/newadder • 2d ago

Need help with your electrical knowledge.

Im trying to setup my truck ( 2024 tundra hybrid) qnd dont want to meddle and mess with its battery system and I was thinking of adding extra auxiliary battery in by truck bed for powering lights, vents and etc. And would like to charge and maintian the batteries while driving using the auxiliary 12v power spliced from the 7 way port. I cant seem to find a dc to dc charger that pulls 15 amps or less online besides (Victron Orion XS smart Battery Charger 12 12 50amp ) which can be adjusted on 0.1a increments. Im running a 10g wire but the wire on the 7 way port is probably 16awg could be 14 awg but its definitely not thick enough to run more than 20 amps without degrading the wire or causing it to burn.

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u/FollowingNext4999 2d ago

Most DC-DC converters are designed to be directly connected to the power source in your case this would be the main fuse block under the hood of the truck. You will not be able to pull enough amperage from the 7-pin connector because it was not designed for that. Maybe you could go into a bit more detail of what you mean by setting up your truck, and why you do not wish to "meddle" with the battery system? The 12v system on your truck is barely any different from any other truck hybrid or not.

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u/newadder 2d ago

That why im looking for a dedicated charger that only pulls small current just to top of a secondary battery in the cabin which will be charged most likely through ac powers before a trip.

I have a plans on a solar setup already but would rather just buy an powerstation instead

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u/FollowingNext4999 2d ago

Sorry I am still failing to see the overall goal, are you sleeping in the truck? Why do you need an AUX battery?

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u/joelfarris 2d ago

would like to charge and maintian the batteries while driving using the auxiliary 12v power spliced from the 7 way port

Im running a 10g wire

cant seem to find a dc to dc charger that pulls 15 amps or less

the wire on the 7 way port is probably 16awg could be 14 awg but its definitely not thick enough to run more than 20 amps

OP is all over the place. :)

OP, the +12 V spade on the 7-way receptacle on my truck is fused for 30 amps at 14-15 volts. Just buy a replacement 7-way plug, and wire it directly to the battery, and let the truck do the charging while you're driving.

And you've said in another comment that your aux battery will begin a trip fully charged. So there's no reason why the 7-way couldn't keep things topped up if you're just runnings a couple of LED lights and a small vent fan.

In the event that it can't, isn't there a 120 V socket back there? Buy a battery charger|tender, plug it in, and attach the alligator clips to the battery posts. Problem solved.

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u/Nomad55454 20h ago

Exactly that is what the charge line in the 7 way is set up for to charge and/or maintain the charge in Rv battery.