Re: Charging from tow vehicle

On 2/21/2025 8:49 AM, Ted Heise wrote:

Hi all,
 Thinking of trading in my Acadia for a new one and the sales rep
mentioned something about it having a larger alternator.  That
make me just idly wonder if it's possible to get a factory
installed system that would supply enough power at the 7-pin
connector to recharge a LiIon battery while towing.

I am about 99.9% sure the answer to your question is no, Ted.
Still a good idea to get the big alternator, and maybe even a double battery setup.
The main problem is the wire size on the 7-pin plug.  On my TOAD, I installed a power plug so I could use a 12 Gauge wire that was always on, but that was only for trying to keep the battery on the TOAD up to run the braking system.  This would not be enough to charge depleted LI batteries.
What you need is very heavy gauge wire from the battery to the back of the tow vehicle with a plug for a DC-DC charger if you really want the tow vehicle to charge the trailer battery.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_jHoEEkiUc>