You DO NOT NEED a DC to DC charger! Victron System is Charged By Ford Truck Pro Power Onboard

Are DC to DC chargers needed? We are using our customers Ford Raptor truck as a generator thanks to it’s built in inverter - the Ford Pro Power Onboard. Check out how we hooked up this 24V RV solar system to charge from the truck’s alternator. Tom goes into this ultimate 2025 Outdoors RV 19MKS install, and how he was able to design a powerful lithium system without much roof space or battery space.

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About MYT Solar:

* a husband wife team who want to empower you on the RV journey.

MYT Solar was started when Tom and Ely decided that the only way to adventure and explore the USA with their dogs was to live and travel in an RV. That's when their love of RV adventure began! They are currently living full-time in their Outdoors RV, traveling around doing #RVsolar installs! They have converted their own Outdoors RV 260KVS into the ultimate off-grid, dog-friendly ORV.

We would love to empower you on the RV journey by designing the perfect solar system for your RV and lifestyle. Give us a call today to discuss your dream install! We would love to help.

[billb]

I started doing that 14 yrs ago. Larger truck, bigger alternator, but this was before they started putting inverters in trucks and cars. I put a 2k multi in the truck and run 125 VAC back to the trailer. I "limit" the trailer input to 5 amps 125 volts with the trailer multi. This lowers the draw from the truck alternator to 60 amps (12v) + truck loads. The trailer has residential fridge, 7 cuft deep freeze, keg beer cooler and regular trailer load. I used 24 volt batteries also with a 24 to 13.8v converter (40 amps). You have to watch the truck alt load as Victron and others have toasted alt.

My truck alt is a Delco-Remy 40si with 190 amps @idle (320 A at running speed) so I have overkill there. Mine has been in 2 trucks for 14 years with never a hickup

[tlmelec]

Good video. I've been preaching using 120VAC for long battery charging runs. I use it on my van builds to charge the rear LiFePO4 batteries instead of DC-DC charging especially with 24V and 48V systems.

[youcanthide]

Just stumble across your channel and watched a couple videos. Good stuff, mate. I’m impressed. You just gained a subscriber safe travels.

[ourfunctionalfarmhouse]

This is a great way to go if you have an onboard inverter like this truck has. I ran a dedicated 6 gauge, 50 amp circuit on my Ram to power our Orion. If I ever do another full Victron system, going with 24 volts is a no brainer.

[PursuitofFreedom]

Super cool - thanks for sharing how you implemented it!

[brucerigsby]

I ran an extension cable with 12gauge wires from the truck bed with the Ford 2400w 120vac outlets underneath to a protected connector I installed next to the license plate. A separate cable was run from the shore power connection on the trailer to the front trailer hitch in parallel with the seven pin connection. With this setup, I can plug the 120v from the truck without having to open the enclosed truck bed. Can also use while trailer is traveling. Just an fyi.
Love your solar installs.

[VantureCustoms]

Impressive for truck inverters to push that kind of wattage definitely saves some headaches not having a dc-dc charger.

[RobertsAdventure]

This is brilliant, you guys basically built a slightly larger version of what I've been trying to figure out for my 15ft TAB320 over in the US, to be able to run AC etc off grid (and can't fit all the solar on the roof by any means). Same calculations on DC-DC + Solar, 12 vs 24 considerations etc. Shore-powering the trailer while you are driving is brilliant. So good!

[BorealisNights]

I think it's all very good that one has the utility of a permanent "shore power connection". That said, even on the outside of the powerbox, or any available nook or cranny, the Orion XS still makes sense. Do the usual Anderson plug, and carry an 'extension' Anderson to jumper cable. That way, if the truck generator fails, he can still charge. PLUS, say in a stranded situation, ANY 12 volt vehicle that you can get in range, can supply(through Jumper to Anderson cord) an urgent/emergency charge. it just makes sense and ads little (relative) cost to an otherwise complete system. Adding Dc to DC just makes it bulletproof... IMHO. (Of Course, I do realize this means going with older Victron 12 to 24s, or having the patience for the new Orion XS, when it finally shows up)

[walwalka]

This is a great way to do it! Love this build.

[Kanuka-Forest]

I regularly hear people referring to victron inverters in watts or kilowatts, this video said 3000 watt. They aren't, they are in KVA, which you have to multiply by a power factor of 0.8 to get the watts. A 3000 KVA inverter is actually 2400 watts continuous output. Great build 👏

[deltabravo]

I love the 19MKS floor plan. If I buy another TT, that's what I'd buy.

[RobEgan-cz]

I did the same thing on my truck camper. However I just deleted the 30 amp altogether and fun a 12 ga extension cord for shore power and dial down MP appropriately. The transfer switch is the weak point in that system

[mondotv]

So confused - an Aussie but obviously setting up systems in the US. When he started talking about 120V I had a bit of a doubletake. A neat system and some good reasons not to go just go 12V automatically. Are you running 12V on the caravan side and if so what are you using as your DC-DC converter?

[zenzen]

You can also utilise lighter gauge cables to deliver the 120V to the trailer from the truck rather than the 12V

[shawnmabey]

Cheers from 🇨🇦. Great informative video!

[glennman]

This is a fantastic idea. I was apprehensive about charging my Lithium Iron battery bank with my bus 24 volt alternator for fear of overcharging the starter lead acid batteries. I have a 24 volt to 110 volt inverter already installed in the bus (not referring to my Multiplus, but another one from OEM). I figure I could use that to supply 110 to my Multiplus so that it can in turn charge my lithiums. I'll do a bit more research, but this sounds plausible. Thanks.

[SolarHarvestSolutions]

Two separate 12 volt to 12 volt chargers running off aux 12 volt at trailer plug at truck, one to each battery, (depending on gauge size amp capacity) …with a separator relay that allows charging only when truck is running? Nice video, great system

[markfalmouth]

I have victron system, multiplus 2, pylon battery 48v, all in a 5t Sprinter, same problem how do u charge from alternator
We worked out if we put a small inverter on the aux battery, we could feed the multiplus with 2.5 amp, of course adjustable on the multiplus, of 240v, and we get on average about 500 watt input into the pylon batteries, problem solved, no overheating and a very simple solution
I am sure one day victron might make a 48v dc to dc, but in the meantime I’m very happy with what I got, basically the same idea as u had
Oh based in UK, just now doing 3000 miles trip around Germany, 5*c no sun and no hook ups, were winging in, and half way through trip, plenty of power, and we run everything on electric, with eberspacher diesel heater
I highly recommend this solution to dc to dc charging anything 24v or higher

[desparky]

This makes a lot of sense.
As an Australian I found the video a bit confusing at first. Aussie guy calling it a Trailer instead of Caravan? When I realised the door was on the right hand side the penny dropped. haha