Camper trailer battery charge from hitch

[UNIT861]

I'd like to install a charge wire using the factory tow package on my '96 XJ to charge a deep-cycle battery on my camper trailer. I know about the need for a battery isolator, but I'm not sure about wire gauge from the alternator to the 7-pin connector. I've heard that you need some pretty heavy wire for that long of a run.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!

 

[5-90]

I'd like to install a charge wire using the factory tow package on my '96 XJ to charge a deep-cycle battery on my camper trailer. I know about the need for a battery isolator, but I'm not sure about wire gauge from the alternator to the 7-pin connector. I've heard that you need some pretty heavy wire for that long of a run.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!

Refresh my memory - does the 7-pin (standard) allow for battery charging and main power delivery?

I'd use probably 8AWG, isolated, and run it back to a 50A Anderson connector run alongside the 7-pole (or whatever) connector on the trailer and vehicle.

You can limit the current two ways - 1) run a small isolator - say, 20A or so. 2) Fuse the leads to/from the isolator (I'd have to see how it's wired) to the isolator max. 8AWG is probably overkill for running 20A or so bumper-to-bumber, but I don't have a problem at all with limited overkill - just don't get stupid.

 

[ChiXJeff]

The spec for a 7 pin RV connector does provide for a 12v constant source.

 

[Boatwrench]

The spec for a 7 pin RV connector does provide for a 12v constant source.

That is connected to a 10g Red wire. I always ran mine through a 30circuit breaker installed between source and isolator.


I recall...
LH - BF (brain assgas
RH - 14g or 16g Grn
Tail - 14g or 16g Brn
12vdc - 10g Red
Grd - 12g Black
Trailer brake - 10g Blue
reverse (if equipped) - 14g or 16g White

 

[ehall]

Sorry for the hijack. The tow package provides the 7-wire bundle but my battery wire isn't providing any power. Is this wired up at the factory somewhere (and a fuse is blown?) or is it left unplugged in case nobody ever uses it? Where is the termination?

 

[joe_peters]

This of any help:

http://www.rverscorner.com/wiring/7pole.html

 

[jmaxj]

This of any help:

http://www.rverscorner.com/wiring/7pole.html

wow i would have been shot if i wired them up with those color codes when i wired trailers. but then again not everyone does things the same.

this is one that i have used for many years.
http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

 

[ehall]

Sorry for the hijack. The tow package provides the 7-wire bundle but my battery wire isn't providing any power. Is this wired up at the factory somewhere (and a fuse is blown?) or is it left unplugged in case nobody ever uses it? Where is the termination?

FSM says it's the power seat circuit. I remember now that I tapped into the wire for something in the hatch (lights maybe dunno). I probably have a bad connection there.

For you guys talking about wire gauge, the FSM says the stock wiring is 14ga at the trailer sub-harness and 16ga up to the fuse box. If you are going to be charging a battery or powering anything more substantial than some work lights I would run separate wire