DC/DC Charger Prep

[Electrified]

That will work. But the 2024 F350 that is in your profile has a chase that makes it easier to run the wires for a DC to DC setup. I'm not typing with any practical experience just what I've been seeing on the web as I have the same MY truck and have been researching how to run the wires after @Oregon_Camper shared the challenges he had. I think the qualifier for this to be true is having the upfitter switches on your overhead console. What will you do with the red or black 12V wire from the 7pin once you go this route?

I don't have all the details worked out as of right now. Can you please help me understand what chase you are talking about? I do have the upfitter switches and have used them in my Jeep and my previous F250 so familiar with hooking those up. Definitely not opposed to using a DC-DC charger, I just thought since I have the 2000 watt Pro Power it might be easier to just plug in the Epoch charger but it sounds like there is more to it than I am aware of.

 

[M and E]

I don't have all the details worked out as of right now. Can you please help me understand what chase you are talking about? I do have the upfitter switches and have used them in my Jeep and my previous F250 so familiar with hooking those up. Definitely not opposed to using a DC-DC charger, I just thought since I have the 2000 watt Pro Power it might be easier to just plug in the Epoch charger but it sounds like there is more to it than I am aware of.

I have not looked at mine yet, but to the upfitter junction box, from below the box, there is supposed to be a chase that allows easy routing of wires. From the junction box to the cab, there is another chase but not relative to this project I guess. Your method will work, deciding if it is easier is subjective I guess. I think your way would be easier.

 

[M and E]

What is everyone using as terminal plugs from the RV and from the alternator/battery to the rear of the tow vehicle when setting up a DC to DC charger?

 

[Oregon_Camper]

I have not looked at mine yet, but to the upfitter junction box, from below the box, there is supposed to be a chase that allows easy routing of wires. From the junction box to the cab, there is another chase but not relative to this project I guess. Your method will work, deciding if it is easier is subjective I guess. I think your way would be easier.

Those 6 wires for the Upfitter can help you with DC/DC...but they are not there to actually run power to the DC/DC. I have mine setup using the upfitter switch to turn the DC/DC controller (Victron Orion) on/off. This required me to run this 3rd wire, along with the 4AWG wires (pos and neg) from the battery to the RV (with the connector at truck bed)

 

[Oregon_Camper]

What is everyone using as terminal plugs from the RV and from the alternator/battery to the rear of the tow vehicle when setting up a DC to DC charger?

A lot of folks use Anderston plugs, but they only offer 2 connections. As stated above, I also have the on/off wire from Upfitter switch so I wanted a nice 3 way plug that was water tight. This plug works GREAT for our system and it is rated for 70 amps.

 

[M and E]

Those 6 wires for the Upfitter can help you with DC/DC...but they are not there to actually run power to the DC/DC. I have mine setup using the upfitter switch to turn the DC/DC controller (Victron Orion) on/off. This required me to run this 3rd wire, along with the 4AWG wires (pos and neg) from the battery to the RV (with the connector at truck bed)

Oh no. I wasn't suggesting to use the upfitter switches for the DC/DC charger only that the chase from under the vehicle and back into the cab is near there. 100% cannot use the UF switches for that load.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Oh no. I wasn't suggesting to use the upfitter switches for the DC/DC charger only that the chase from under the vehicle and back into the cab is near there. 100% cannot use the UF switches for that load.

Up to and including model year 2023, the upfitter wires are coming through the firewall, by passenger foot area. On 2024 and 2025, there is no factory wiring into the cab. I did this on a 2024 F-450 (not mine) and the wiring had to be routed using the hole just in front of the passenger seat. You will need to pull back the carpet and use the small rubber grommet in there...and then route wire from there, using your own conduit, to the engine compartment where the 6 upfitter wires are (which are hot and will turn on/off via upfitter)

 

[Coddiwomple]

Our 2024 F350 has the 2000 watt "generator" and I intend to run a extension cord of sorts through the pin box into the battery compartment where we will simply plug in the smart charger we purchased directly from Epoch when we bought our batteries. I hope this works as I really don't want to have to tie in a DC-DC charger from the battery all the way back.

This does work very good. I have a 2024 F450 with Fords 2000 watt ProPower onboard generator and a 2025 310RL with a Victron
MultiPlus-II 12/3000 inverter which has a maximum charge rate of 120amps. My battery bank consists of three 280 ah lithium batteries. I ran a 10/3 extension cord through my pinbox into my front compartment. This cord plugs into a 30 amp receptacle I added to front compartment. This receptacle is wired to generator side of transfer switch. I use this same receptacle when I use my portable generator. You can bypass these extra components and go directly to the charger you mentioned. On travel days my battery bank will charge from 50% to 100% in around 4 hours from my ProPower receptacle in the bed of my truck.

 

[Dan (Zepp)]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum and I just acquired a 2021 Alliance Paradigm 390MP. I can't get the trailer brakes to work with my 2020 GMC Denali HD? I had the truck checked at the dealer and all is good. I talked to 3 different RV dealer/service centers and they seem puzzled. From what I found online, there might be a DC voltage indifference that is messing with the trucks computer and shutting off the brake signal. It's been suggested to install a dc-dc charger to isolate the camper from the truck and still charge the battery. The most confusing part is - I cannot locate the 7 pin junction box??? It's not in the front storage cabinet or in the pass thru area. It's not in the hitch area or anywhere near the battery. Anyone know where to locate in this model of camper? ANd, if this is the correct solution to my brake issue?

 

[BryanValRox]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum and I just acquired a 2021 Alliance Paradigm 390MP. I can't get the trailer brakes to work with my 2020 GMC Denali HD? I had the truck checked at the dealer and all is good. I talked to 3 different RV dealer/service centers and they seem puzzled. From what I found online, there might be a DC voltage indifference that is messing with the trucks computer and shutting off the brake signal. It's been suggested to install a dc-dc charger to isolate the camper from the truck and still charge the battery. The most confusing part is - I cannot locate the 7 pin junction box??? It's not in the front storage cabinet or in the pass thru area. It's not in the hitch area or anywhere near the battery. Anyone know where to locate in this model of camper? ANd, if this is the correct solution to my brake issue?

I know others hear have experience similar issue with GM and brake interaction. I think I recall something about disabling the solar to resolve the issue, but of course that is counter productive to travel days.

I am sorry I can’t recall the details, so hopefully others will chime in and share their experiences.
I think there is a trailer brake module upgrade or adapter that resolves the issue.
You might give the folks at e trailer a call.

You might checkout YouTube to see if someone has documented the issue.
As far as finding the junction box, just keep following your trailer cord, it should lead you to it.
Our 310RL is mounted on the rear of the pin box.
Best of luck!

 

[2 Allies]

Bryan is right. GM had a problem with there brake controllers shutting the brakes off when the dc voltage on the rv was greater than the battery in the truck. They had a recall that fixed the issue on my '24 Chevy 3500hd. You may search to see if your model year was affected. Bryan is also right that if that is your problem, you can shut off the solar to be able to tow as long as the rv's dc voltage does not exceed the tow vehicles battery.

Good luck,

 

[2 Allies]

You can search youtube for GM brake controller and solar issues. It may not be your issue but it sounds similar to what was happening to me.

 

[BryanValRox]

Bryan is right. GM had a problem with there brake controllers shutting the brakes off when the dc voltage on the rv was greater than the battery in the truck. They had a recall that fixed the issue on my '24 Chevy 3500hd. You may search to see if your model year was affected. Bryan is also right that if that is your problem, you can shut off the solar to be able to tow as long as the rv's dc voltage does not exceed the tow vehicles battery.

Good luck,

Bruce, thank you for the assist!😀