Jump to content

400 watts without solar


Landrover

Recommended Posts

My  GMC tow vehicle has a 400 watt plug in the rear corner of the bed.  I cant see much use for it except for plugging in a portable fridge cooler. I’m wondering,  if a solar panel can put out 1-2- 3 400watts with a charge controller can this 400watt plug be used in connection with a solar port connection and a charge controller as how a portable solar panel works? Of course the truck would have to be on and idling for the plug to work.  Just thought this would be another possibility for battery charging. 

  • Like 1

Grant  2022 GMC Denali 2500 HD 2019  Elite 11😎

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
6 minutes ago, Landrover said:

can this 400watt plug be used in connection with a solar port connection and a charge controller as how a portable solar panel works?

Why not simply run the electrical cord to your shore power input (via whatever adapters you need to use to get from your truck to the 30 amp plug)?

Be aware that in places such as Yellowstone National Park, they consider this type of arrangement nothing more than using a generator (your relatively large truck engine is the generator basically) and in places where generators are prohibited this arrangement of using your truck for this purpose is also prohibited.

Bill

  • Like 5

2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure I'm interpreting the question correctly but: Isn't what's being described just a 12 volt charge connection, in parallel with the 7-way aux circuit?  No need for the additional solar charge controller but,  with the right B2B charger, it could be more effective than the 7-way connection.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
33 minutes ago, bhncb said:

Not sure I'm interpreting the question correctly but: Isn't what's being described just a 12 volt charge connection, in parallel with the 7-way aux circuit? 

Well, 

I interpreted the question to mean he was referring to the "standard 400 watt 120 volt accessory plug usually located in the bed of some pickup models.

Bill

  • Like 2

2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

400 watts AC is only 3.3 amps so you'd have to make sure the trailer's not drawing more than that - either through the trailer's converter or by whatever AC->DC rig you cobble up to go into the solar port (truck outputting 120v AC, trailer accepting only DC volts). I think the lowest bulk charge setting on the Xantrex is 5 amps. That would blow the circuit breaker in the truck.

  • Like 2

Stephanie and Dudley from CT.  2022 LE2, Hull #1150: Eggcelsior.

Tow vehicle: 2016 GMC Sierra 6.0 gas dually 4x4.

Our Oliver journey: Steph and Dud B's RV Screed

Where we've been RVing since 1999:

ALAZCACOCTDEFLGAIDILINIAKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNMNYNCNDOHOKORPASCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWYmed.jpg.b96241bad6752dec89d25af6ffbc8d99.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have the same "400 watt" outlet in the back of my GMC Sierra HD.  It would not reliably run a 15 amp Victron battery charger without going into protection mode.  It is most likely a modified sine wave inverter that is really only meant for small draw items.  It will run my 65L ICECO fridge/freezer just fine but beyond that I wouldn't waste your time with it.  A small 2000 watt generator would be exponentially more efficient.

 

John

  • Like 3

John and Kim

2021 GMC Sierra 2500 AT4 6.6L Duramax 11350 GVWR  3048lb Payload

2021 Oliver Elite II.   Hull #887

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...