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Old 05-30-2014, 02:21 PM   #1
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Q re charging TT Battery

Using my new Viking 17bh lightweight for the first time and wondering whether the TT battery charges when connected to the (running) truck. The dealer said it should. The manual is silent on the question, speaking only about charging the battery with household current or a generator. In practice, it does not seem to be charging when connected to the truck and I do not know if that indicates a problem or not. (note: the 12 v circuits are operating normally when attached to the truck). Suggestions?
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Old 05-30-2014, 02:30 PM   #2
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Do you have the flat 4 pin connector?
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Old 05-30-2014, 02:35 PM   #3
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You should be charging the battery from your 7 blade plug on the tow vehicle. Its not a ton of output - but it will charge some and prevent battery drain while traveling.

What vehicle are you towing with? On both my Fords, they came from the factory without the required relay installed in the fuse panel to actually produce current on the blade that supplies 12v to the trailer. Everything else works - but until I installed a relay, there was no power on that one blade. I believe Chevies usually need a fuse installed as well. You should be charging when connected, but verify that you have 12v on that blade of your tow vehicle plug. The plugs usually have diagram on the cover to tell you which one it is.
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Old 05-30-2014, 02:37 PM   #4
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^^^ This, if its a Ford.
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Old 05-30-2014, 03:00 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frankm2 View Post
Do you have the flat 4 pin connector?
I have a 7 pin connector.
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Old 05-31-2014, 10:04 AM   #6
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Do you have 12v power off the TV 7 way connector?? You might need to hook up some wire under your hood and or install a fuse at the fuse block to provide power. Most domestic TV come this way not sure on the imports. My 2008 GMC 2500 Duramax had a fuse that came in the glovebox and a wire at the fuse block that simply needed to be hooked to 12v that was supplied by a empty stud on the fuse block.
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Old 06-01-2014, 04:59 PM   #7
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If it's a ford you need the #9 relay & #21 30 amp fuse. Both in the fuse box tuner the hood.
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Old 06-01-2014, 05:12 PM   #8
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If its a Chevy/GMC you need to hook up the 12 VDC wire. It is in a bundle under the battery tray or Master Cylinder in the right front of the truck.

The dealer is supposed to connect it as part of dealer prep, but they never do.

Here are the instructions. You may need to buy a 40 amp fuse and a M6 nut.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Installing Auxiliary 12-Volt Feed to Trailer.pdf (457.4 KB, 47 views)
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Old 06-04-2014, 08:30 AM   #9
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^^^Yes, dealers have a habit of screwing people on the vehicle prep. I towed from Moab UT to Glacier NP with that dang wire disconnected, and fridge On. Taught me two lessons: One, my Dewalt can raise the roof, but it takes about 20 times longer; and 2, When I get my 2015 truck, I will make darn sure it is connected before I leave the lot.

And with a GM, turn on your headlights or go into tow mode and it will increase the alternator output to the tow vehicle's battery.
(From my Silverado Owner's manual: If charging a remote (non-vehicle)
battery, press the Tow/Haul Mode
button, if equipped, located at the
end of the shift lever. This will boost
the vehicle system voltage and
properly charge the battery. If the
trailer is too light for Tow/Haul
Mode, or the vehicle is not equipped
with Tow/Haul, turn on the headlamps as a second way to
boost the vehicle system and
charge the battery.)
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Old 01-26-2015, 12:48 PM   #10
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Your vehicle with the 7-pin connector will charge your travel trailer battery. Also while you are plugged into shore power it will charge the battery too. If your interior travel trailer lights work while connected to your 7-pin or your shore power. That is good. Once you un-hook and you have no power to lights you may have a blown fuse that is located under the frame of the trailer. (Not he fuse panel) This happened to my 17BH. My dealer replaced the fuse with a resettable fuse so it won't happen again. Hope this helps
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