Battery Charging?

[hotdog]

So I figured out that the trailer battery charges when the truck is running (traveling). But does it charge when I am connected to shore power? Does the trailer (X-160) have a battery charger/maintainer in addition to the 120VAC to 12VDC power supply?

[Eagle]

Not sure about your unit but mine charges the battery when connected to the tow vehicle AND when connected to shore power.
I also installed a battery volt meter so easy to view battery charge level. This one:
LED Digital Battery Volt Gauge Voltmeter 12V Power Socket for Car Boat Camper | eBay

I can see the gauge as soon as I open the entrance door.

[LJAZ]

Yes you probably have a WFCO 8900 series power center. It includes a converter that will charge your battery when connected to shore power. It's not considered top of the line by any stretch but that's what most of the Funfinders (and a lot of other trailer brands) are equipped with.

[gmw photographics]

It might be worth considering that in reality, there is very little actual charging of the trailer battery being done from the truck.
The charging capability of the on board converter is far greater.

[jbfunfinder]

Speaking of the quality of the on-board charger, is a separate, battery maintainer better? I have always just plugged into shore power once I got home (we store the TT next to the garage under a cover)

Since I invested lots of $ on my roof top solar along with two 6v golf cart batteries, perhaps I should maintain the batteries with a better quality maintenance charger (which I already own) instead of just using the WFCO power center??

[gmw photographics]

My trailer is coming up on five years old, with the original battery in it. I have kept it plugged into shore power while at at home, and camp almost exclusively at Cg's with shore power. So at least for me, the WFCO has worked fine.

[Eagle]

Originally Posted by gmw photographics

It might be worth considering that in reality, there is very little actual charging of the trailer battery being done from the truck.
The charging capability of the on board converter is far greater.

Even if very little charging from the tow vehicle, the connection is required to supply power to the electric camper brakes.

[John_C]

Originally Posted by jbfunfinder

Speaking of the quality of the on-board charger, is a separate, battery maintainer better? I have always just plugged into shore power once I got home (we store the TT next to the garage under a cover)

Since I invested lots of $ on my roof top solar along with two 6v golf cart batteries, perhaps I should maintain the batteries with a better quality maintenance charger (which I already own) instead of just using the WFCO power center??

Hi Jbfunfinder,
You are in So Cal and the winters will not get as cold as they do here in MN... I pull my trailer in the back yard and cover it during the winter. With temps that drop below zero and may stay there for days or weeks, I pull my batteries (Two Grp 31 Batts), haul them into the heated garage for the winter, and put them on a battery maintainer (Actually a dual Battery Tender). During the summer (warmer camping months) I leave the trailer in the driveway on shore power...

Maybe not the best, but it works for me...