How to Charge an Extra Battery in the Truck Bed on My 2012 Chevrolet Silverado While Driving

Published 07/17/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Pollak 7 Pole to 4 Way Connector Adapter

(1038)

$8.23

NOCO Genius Smart Battery Charger - AC to DC - 6V/12V - 5 Amp

(157)

$69.95

Hopkins Endurance 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness with 7-Pole Plug

(896)

$89.74

Question:

I want to be able to charge an extra battery in my truck bed while driving for boat and RV. Theres a DC outlet in the bed. Is there a product out there that will allow me to use that to charge the battery? Alternately, can I use the hitch connector? I have a 7 pole connector on my truck with a 4 pole adapter to fit my trailer. is there such thing as a 7 to 4 pole adapter, that has separate wires to charge a battery?

asked by: Nik

Expert Reply:

The best option would be to use the NOCO Genius # 329-GENIUS5, and charge the battery when shore power is available, or use the charger in conjunction with an inverter part # WC3720 when the truck is running. If you wanted to use the factory 7-way you could use the 12-Volt Power Inverter Adapter, # HM11147650, to provide DC power to the inverter.

If the DC outlet in your truck is ran directly off of the trucks charging system, then you could use it to maintain a battery that is fully charged or provide a maintenance charge to a battery that has been somewhat discharged when the truck is running. It would not provide a charge for a battery that has been severely discharged. If the DC outlet is wired some other way like with an inverter or converter, you would have to check with the manufacturer of the DC outlet that was installed.

To use the 7-way on your 2012 Silverado the same issue as above is encountered because the power to the 7-way is connected to the trucks charging system. You could install a 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness, # 41157, and use the 12-Volt Power Inverter Adapter, # HM11147650 mentioned earlier to provide the maintenance charge I mentioned above by connecting the leads to the positive and negative post of the battery. You would then be able to use the 7-way at the rear of your vehicle for towing. I also recommend connecting the leads to the battery before plugging into the 7-way socket in the bed to prevent shorts.

expert reply by: Robert G