Recommendation for Charging a Lithium Battery Bank From a 2009 Ram 3500 Diesel Tow Vehicle

Updated 01/30/2018 | Published 01/29/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Starter Solenoid - SPST - 12 Volt - 100 Amp - Continuous Duty - Grounded

(13)

$35.05

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

(87)

$535.00

Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger - Dual Input - DC to DC - 12V/24V - 40 Amp

(87)

$620.00

40 Amp In-Line Circuit Breaker - Perpendicular Mount Bracket

(97)

$9.84

Pollak Single-Pole, Round Pin Trailer Wiring Socket - Vehicle End

(24)

$23.91

Pollak Single-Pole, Round Pin Trailer Wiring Connector - Trailer End

(25)

$46.43

Question:

Hello, my ultimate goal is to achieve an actual charge from my tow vehicle to my trailer battery bank 600AH, lithium ion while towing... My plan is to install a battery isolator # PK5231201 on my tow vehicle 2009, RAM 3500 diesel with two batteries under the hood and run 00 gauge wire directly to the trailer bank through a Pollak Single-Pole, Round Pin Trailer Wiring Socket # PK11851, and a Pollak Single-Pole, Round Pin Trailer Wiring Connector # PK11852 at the rear of the vehicle... Will a charge be possible with this set up? Are there any Lithium-battery-specific considerations I need to take into account? Would this set up need any fuses, breakers or charge controllers incorporated? Thanks.

asked by: Jake

Expert Reply:

The Battery Isolation Solenoid # PK5231201 along with 00 gauge wire and Pollak Single-Pole, Round Pin Trailer Wiring Socket # PK11851 along with # PK11852 will allow you a great connection for charging your battery. I also recommend putting a 40 amp circuit breaker # 9510 in line to protect your system. The issue is it will not amplify your charge so you will still be limited to the 2-3 amps charging above what your truck uses from your alternator.

For a better option, I recommend using the Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger - Dual Input - DC to DC - 12V/24V - 40 Amp # 331-BCDC1240D or 25 amp # 331-BCDC1225D. This will be added after the trailer side 7-way on your 12V power and will amplify the charging ability and ensure you also don't have power sent back to your vehicle and don't overcharge your trailer battery. This will allow you to charge your battery or batteries to 100% as opposed to the 80% of the aforementioned connection. This is built for use with the lithium battery compatibility as well. I've attached a video to assist.