DC to DC Battery Charger & Solar Panel For 90 Amp Hour Trailer Battery

Question:

We are currently using a 2 Deep Cycle Battery System connected in parallel to run a 12V hydraulic system on a trailer. Batteries we are using NAPA Marine Starting/Deep Cycle Battery Our customer is currently using the truck alternator charge system through one of the wires in the 7 pin connector going to the trailer. We are interested in a DC to DC charger plus a solar panel would have to be no bigger than 24x20 to charge this system. This system would have to be onboard the trailer, so that any truck could hook up and go. This would require the only lead coming from the truck to be the one wire out of the 7 pin connector. I believe this wire to be 12ga.. Please advise if you have any knowledge and/or experience with this type of setup. If so, please list all components we would need to accomplish our goal along with pricing for each component and/or package of components. Thank you for your time

asked by: Steven B

Expert Reply:

We do have exactly the parts you need for a DC to DC charger and solar panel which can be installed onboard a trailer, though it wouldn't use the 7-way connector. Wire (6 gauge) would need to be run directly from the battery and then connected with a quick-connect set. Here's exactly what you will need:

- Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger - Dual Input - DC to DC - 12V/24V - 25 Amp # 331-BCDC1225D

- 40-Amp MIDI Fuse Kit for Redarc In-Vehicle 25-Amp BCDC Battery Charger # 331-FK40

- Redarc Solar Panel - 50 Watt - Monocrystalline # RED56VR

- Bulldog Winch Quick-Connect Set for Powersports w/Dust Cover - 6 AWG # BDW20047

The BCDC can be mounted on the trailer, and is the correct one for the battery you mentioned, which is a 90 amp hour battery. The charger will wire directly to that battery and the solar panel, and you'll connect the wiring via the quick-connect - one end coming from the trailer, the other end on the vehicle.

A truck can hook up and go, but it couldn't be a fleet of trucks, for example, it would have to just be one. So it would be simple to just connect and disconnect both the 7-way harness and the wiring connectors. I have added a link below which goes over the entire installation process for you, and the prices can also be found by scrolling down.