Hello,
Merry Christmas
I have a 2001 Pennine pathfinder and I prefer not to use electric hook up.
I use a solar panel to charge my battery when away.
I also have a motor mover which I need to get back on my drive when I return.
I always worry that it may be cloudy and I will run out of battery.
Can I charge the battery from my car as I drive home if I get a second socket fitted to my car for powering the camper.
If so which position should the switch be in ? Car or off ?
I don't know about the Pennine but assuming that it is wired in the same way as a caravan then the position of the switch is irrelevant whilst charging. The switch merely selects the OUTPUT from either the car or the caravan battery. If correctly wired and the vehicle is electrically connected to the unit via the grey plug then the caravan battery will be charged regardless of the position of the switch.
I'm sure that another Pennine owner will be on here soon to give specific advice.
DaveS1
Hi can anyone out there help me ?
Can I charge the battery from my car as I drive home if I get a second socket fitted to my car for powering the camper ?
Quote: Originally posted by james1968 on 08/1/2023
Hi can anyone out there help me ?
Can I charge the battery from my car as I drive home if I get a second socket fitted to my car for powering the camper ?
yes you can, its just the same as those used on a caravan
I assume you've got a grey plug or 13 pin plug on the camper. You will need ne of these for battery charging.
Be aware that battery charging whilst towing is not very quick. The car charges the car battery and the cars computer will control that charge rate for the car battery. If the car battery is charged you wont get much to the camper.
Also, there is a lot of voltage drop between the car and camper batteries. The car alternator is right by the car battery so very short cable. The camper battery is a lot further away so will have voltage drop in the cable. This will reduce the charge rate.
Overall you will be getting probably around 2 amps charge rate into the camper battery. So you will need to do a fair old distance to get much in the way of charge into it.