Will Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger # RED96FR Charge Better Than 7-Way Circuit

Updated 06/01/2021 | Published 05/29/2021

Question:

There are many postings on trailer and truck internet groups that recent model trucks will only maintain a trailer battery and not charge it. That is also my experience with my 2017 F150 hauling a camp trailer. The Redac or Renogy units are suppose to address this issue by boosting the charge voltage and doing the smart 3 stage charge control function. I would like to keep this simple and, if possible, not have to add wiring on the truck and add more connectors between truck and camper. The F150 only turns on charge power in the 7 pin connector when the truck is running, a trailer connection is sensed and you step on the brake pedal. Is it sufficient to reconnect the trailer battery charge wire from the 7 pin connector on the trailer to the Redac or Renogy unit? Or, must I also supply an ignition sense wire and/or must I supply a heavier charge power wire on the truck side, to be used instead of the charge wire in the 7 pin connector? thanks in advance

asked by: Edward A

Expert Reply:

The Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger # RED96FR will do what you are looking for and provide a better charge on your trailer battery than just the standard 12 volt accessory circuit of the 7-way but you essentially will be rewiring the 12 volt circuit of your 7-way with this and will be bypassing the factory circuit.

You will need to provide 8 gauge wire from this to your vehicle battery/alternator.

expert reply by: Jameson C