Recharging battery with truck

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by awellis3

Then you need to go solar (more expensive than a generator) or give up using electricity. However, if you only camp one or two nights at a time, adding a second battery could solve the problem.

Not necessarily more expensive. There are some good suitcase units on the market that will provide charging whenever the sun is out for ~$300. No, they aren't huge power sources but you'd be surprised on how much power can be replaced with a 5-8 amp charge rate over 5-8 hours of sunshine.

The difference between a low charge rate from a solar setup versus higher rate from a generator is that you will be more inclined to leave the solar "suitcase" setup all day and night for the duration of your camping stay versus being reluctant to turn on the generator "too early" or let it run long enough to fully recharge. Often one won't run the generator every day, waiting until the batteries are more depleted whereas a solar setup charges whenever there is sun providing power and the battery is needed.

Think if it like two large water tanks. One is being filled from a garden hose that runs all the time and the other is filled by a pump that only runs a few hours per day. A lot more water has to be pumped in a short time to make up for the water used while the hose has been filling all the time, even when water isn't being used.

[babock]

Originally Posted by moose074

Just makes one wonder if I plug into my 7 way plug and can produce enough amps to close slides which in my case it does why does it not produce enough to charge battery

Because the wiring is small and the current causes a voltage drop that makes the voltage at the battery low enough that it can't accept a charge. Also, since the alternator is seeing the fully charged vehicle battery that is right next to it, it can't see that more discharged battery at the end of that long wire going to your trailer.