Charging Batteries From Truck?

[1973nader]

If my Truck has a 120 volt plug can I just plug my TT into it like a generator and charge the batteries or run the AC if I needed to? Thanks

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by 1973nader

If my Truck has a 120 volt plug can I just plug my TT into it like a generator and charge the batteries or run the AC if I needed to? Thanks

There are several members on this site that are more knowledgeable than I and will have more specifics, but I'll start... It depends:

What is the source and current output of your 120 volt power?
Does your truck have a generator (or inverter generator) running?
Do you have an inverter connected to your truck's 12v dc system?

In general, unless you have a generator (or inverter generator) running, you will not have enough power to run your TT AC.

An inverter connected to your truck's 12v dc system might be able to power a battery charger (or maybe your TT converter) to charge your TT battery.

Those are the generalities. The 'devil is in the details' regarding your 120v power source.

[1973nader]

It's a 2014 Titan and it's just the 120 plug in the back seat area so I don't really know what the specifics are. I will have to look in the manual. Thanks

[bedrck46]

In simple terms. What you need to know is how much power (Watts) your trucks 120 volt plug is rated to (supply)handle. Then you need to know what the power (Watts) is of the load you intend to use As long as the load is less that the supply you should be ok.

[1973nader]

Thanks

[bedrck46]

I doubt that you have enough power to run the TT A/C unit but you may have enough to run a charger. Your manual should give you the power output for that plug

[tnchuck100]

Your manual should tell you how many watts the trucks 120V outlet is capable of. I would be very surprised if it is more than 100 watts. If that is the case you do not want to plug the TT into it.

[NVGun40]

To echo what was said and add some tech talk. If your truck 12VDC to 120VAC inverter in the back seat of your truck has a high enough wattage output, you may very well be able to run a battery charger for your trailer. If its big enough and the wattage and amp draw is high enough, you would be able to run your TT AC.

However, without looking into the specs on your truck. I am sure it is not designed for that type of power output. Common sense tells me its designed to sustain a laptop plug in or small video player. Also, it is most likely designed to be utilized while the truck engine is running.

However, for more information, you can be absolutely assured, that if you could run a battery charger or your trailers AC off the a converter such as in your truck; it will not be for long. Your truck battery will be drained quickly.

Most battery DC to AC converters are not designed for large draw equipment or long term draw usage.

Another point to take though is usually, while you are plugged in and towing your TT, the batterie(s) is being charged through the TT's converter by the TV's charging system. If you are in a situation where you need to get a charge into your TT while camping, you can connect your TT to your TV utilizing the plug you hook up with while towing and with your vehicle running, give your TT a slow charge.

I hope this helps.

[1973nader]

Thank you for the info

[Mustang65]

The only stats that I could find were on the Ford in truck inverter is that it is 150 watts, which is close to 12Amps. Then take into consideration the voltage drop on the 25' extension cord which is probably not going to be 12 AWG cable, and you are not going to get much out of it. Probably equal to the TV's output using the TT's connecting cable. Running the in truck inverter at or over its max will portably blow the fuse or heat it up and kill the inverter.

Don

[norty1]

I think those ac ports are for charging cell phones and other low draw electronics. I would not want to depend on it for charging a battery.

[1973nader]

Thanks!

[ctbailey]

The charging would be FAR more efficient if you simply ran a heavy gauge line directly from the engine compartment to the TT.

Think about it.

You are going to jump 12 Volts DC up to 120 Volts AC, then use that AC power to convert back down to 14-18 Volts DC to charge the Trailer battery.

So, we you jump up you lose energy.
Then when you down convert you lose energy.

Where does the "energy" go? It is lost as heat. Remember the laws of physics, you don't get something for free.

While the previous statements are all absolutely true regarding the output wattage of the inverter, they all sort of missed the point.

Even if you were to plug the TT into the trucks "outlet" and run the converter off your inverter, the converter is doing what? CONVERTING the 120 V AC current into 12V DC.

Long story short, it would be a waste of battery power.

[1973nader]

Thanks sounds like a generator is the best option