Will Renogy DCDC cause auto battery imbalance?

jungry · Nov 1, 2023

I am about to hook up solar panels to my Renogy dc-dc on board battery charger w/mppt (50amp unit). I understand that when solar panels are attached it will trickle charge the automotive 12volt battery. My F350 has two 12volt batteries.

Will this trickle charge create an imbalance between the two truck batteries or will it charge both equally? The dc-dc unit is only connected to one truck battery.

timselectric · Nov 1, 2023

jungry said:
Will this trickle charge create an imbalance between the two truck batteries or will it charge both equally? The dc-dc unit is only connected to one truck battery.

If the batteries are in parallel (12v). It will charge both.
If they are in series (24v). It will only charge the one it's connected to. And cause an imbalance between the two.

jungry · Nov 1, 2023

That's great news Tim, I am fairly certain that the truck batteries are wired in parallel. If i get 12-14 volts at the cigarette lighter, I am guessing that the whole truck is run on 12 volts due to the two cells wired in parallel. It also doesn't make since for a company like Ford to have some trucks wired for 24volt and other vehicles 12 volt.

jungry · Nov 1, 2023

Now, the only question i have is how am I going to get my engines' rodent deterrent to work with the trickle charger running?? It turns itself off when it detects to much voltage (like when the engine is running).

timselectric · Nov 1, 2023

jungry said:
It also doesn't make since for a company like Ford to have some trucks wired for 24volt and other vehicles 12 volt.

They actually do.
But I agree that it's unlikely that yours is.

anthonydsouza · Feb 13, 2024

Unlikely! Renogy DCDCs generally charge both batteries, but check manual & monitor levels for peace of mind.

mikefitz · Feb 13, 2024

jungry said:
engines' rodent deterrent to work with the trickle charger running?

The maintaining charge won't work at night when the rodents are active.

B-ManFX4 · Feb 13, 2024

jungry said:
Now, the only question i have is how am I going to get my engines' rodent deterrent to work with the trickle charger running?? It turns itself off when it detects to much voltage (like when the engine is running).

Is this rodent deterrent an after-market item you installed? If so, see what the current draw is and then select a few diodes that can handle it. Wire them in series with the power lead and you'll get a voltage drop that should trick it into turning on when the batteries are on the trickle charger.

Will Renogy DCDC cause auto battery imbalance?

jungry

New Member

timselectric

If I can do it, you can do it.

jungry

New Member

jungry

New Member

timselectric

If I can do it, you can do it.

anthonydsouza

New Member

mikefitz

Solar Wizard

B-ManFX4

Solar Enthusiast

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