[Tripmaker]

Did a search on this but no luck. Can the battery in a camper be charged while towing through the 7 pin connector. Apparently there is a power lead but will it carry enough amperage to charge a battery?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Tripmaker]

I do have a shore power converter charger in my teardrop and will also have one in a new camper I am building. I am considering using a 12 DC / 110 AC coolerator refrigerator in the new camper. My thought is using the feed from the RL to run the cooler and possibly charge the battery while traveling. Once reaching the campground we will plug into 110 if it is available. Most National Parks don't have electric hook ups and charging while traveling would be helpful.

Thanks for your help. Hopefully the dealer installed wiring harness and circuitry protects the RL from any potential feedback issues from the trailer battery.

 

[Tripmaker]

I've completed my camper and have the 12V output from the Ridge connected to the Fridge and battery circuit. It is a Dometic refrigerator that will automatically switch to 110 when shore power is available.

Some have talked about an isolation device but isn't the 12V source disconnected when the key is off? I am not too worried about it as I unhook the trailer when I set up camp.

 

[Tripmaker]

Another pic of camper. It is 6 X 12 feet long and 81" high so it will fit Through a standard garage door. Inside is 63" with the drop floor, has a dinette for two and a 60" X 71" almost queen size bed. Galley is in the rear. I haven't had it weighed yet but expect it to be less than 2,000 lbs.

 

[Tripmaker]

I have only used the fridge once but it seemed to work fine. The Dometic claims it will freeze down to zero but I had it set just for refrigeration. I ran it off 110 at home before I left and it was cold. It stayed cold while traveling about four hours then when at the campground it was back on AC. Worked well all weekend keeping things cold. No more food swimming in melted ice water. I still use a cooler and ice to keep the beer cold.

The Dometic is not your average 12V cooler. The one I have sells new for $600.+. Fortunately I bought mine for less from a friend. Most other powered coolers will only chill to 30 degrees below ambient temperature which is fine if the outside temperature is 70. Others also cost much less. Do your research before purchasing one to make sure it will meet your needs.

 

[Tripmaker]

Nice. 12v feed line depends on the real source. I haven't checked mine for if the 12v feed is constant or not. I have trailered for multiple days without unhooking, but with ac every night I wouldn't have noticed any battery drain.
Do you have a propane setup, or is it all electric? I've read that 12v for fridge didn't have enough power to cool things, but can maintain cool.

On the RL the 12V line is only hot when the ignition is on. I would not expect any reverse feed when off. If I am incorrect with this logic someone please correct me.

Although not with this setup I have also camped without unhooking when just stoping for an overnight while traveling. If necessary it would be simple enough to unplug for the night while staying hitched to the RL. I can see me forgetting to reconnect when I get up in the morning.

I have propane but only for the two burner stove. I did run the Dometic on 12v only and it cooled quite well from 80 degrees. See above post for comments about the fridge. Truckers seem to use them quite a bit running on 12V only.

 

[Tripmaker]

Dometic makes refrigerators for campers, some of which run on propane, but not this one.