How to add shore power to shell model?

[Maddogs]

I have a '23 Hawk SHELL model on order, it has propane heater and stove option but nothing else. I didn't realize that it has no shore power like the more dressed out models and I thinking I will need to connect to shore power to keep batteries maintained over long winter storage periods when the motor won't be running and the solar won't be getting any sun. The camper will have the dual 6V AGM batteries so won't be needing one of the outer vents for outgassing and I understand from other topics here I can use a shore power plug in that spot.

From that point however I don't know what exact parts or steps I need to do to get things hooked up to the existing system to charge the batteries. I am fairly technically oriented and know how to run and terminate wiring in general, just not sure what connection or components I need. Probably a convertor? It would be nice to be able to power the interior accessories while hooked to shore power also but that is 2nd priority to keeping the batteries maintained during storage.

Thanks for any pointers y'all can provide.

 

[rubberlegs]

You could get a portable AC-DC converter designed for your AGM batteries, and just use an extension cord. Ours came with a built-in Iota DLS30/IQ4 charger, which uses about 400W (outputting 30 amps, 12+ volts). These comments coming from a lazy cheapskate! See if you can run an extension cord on the bottom of your door? Maybe it'll get pinched too much.

 

[Jon R]

If you only need to use AC power for maintaining charge during storage, why not just use a small battery maintainer alligator clipped to the battery terminals? Run the cord in through one of the turnbuckle doors.

I don’t think you want to replace one of your battery compartment vents with a connector if you have AGMs. They still have the potential to vent gas.

Just for a data point, I have solar panels and charging from the truck. I’ve had my camper two years and have not used my shore power charger for anything other than testing it. I’ve never used it camping.

My camper’s Iota shore power charger doesn’t charger my lithium battery adequately, so the couple of times I’ve wanted to charge the battery in the winter I’ve just used a 10 amp Noco Genius portable charger.

 

[JWL]

I have a 2020 Hawk Shell and I do the extension cord thing. I run it through the back and through a turnbuckle door. I took a piece of heavy closed cell foam and cut it to the door opening, cut a slit in the center to slide the cord through aa d that keeps critters, cold and heat out. I have used it in camp grounds with electricity to run my rigged up Air conditioner and a small electric heater in the winter to save propane.

 

[astropuppy]

I replaced one of the battery vents with a plug. See link below. Then externally plug an extension chord into the side of the camper. On the inside I use a household surge protector to plug a common automotive battery charger into. This way all the doors and windows can remain closed and locked. That said, I rarely plug into A/C.

Picture of the camper plugged in - for heat - on a very cold night in Nevada last month.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009ANV81S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Maddogs]

Thanks for all the responses. I see the point and simplicity of just using an extension cord into the camper by some means and then plug either an automotive or specialized charger into that. I was a little concerned about connecting the charger just directly to the battery terminals in that it might burn something out upstream. I assume I would use the kill switch to isolate that stuff. Since I will be using a dual 6v battery setup, would I need to connect the charger to both sets of batteries or just one?

 

[Vic Harder]

Thanks for all the responses. I see the point and simplicity of just using an extension cord into the camper by some means and then plug either an automotive or specialized charger into that. I was a little concerned about connecting the charger just directly to the battery terminals in that it might burn something out upstream. I assume I would use the kill switch to isolate that stuff. Since I will be using a dual 6v battery setup, would I need to connect the charger to both sets of batteries or just one?

+1 vote for a NOCO Genius. Even with two 6 volt batteries, you still only have one SET of batteries. You would leave those as is and clip the charger to the -ve post on one of the 6V batteries, and the +ve clip to the +ve post of the other 6V battery. No need to disconnect using the kill switch.

 

[Sagebrusher]

I agree with comments above and would also run a cord into a battery maintainer if that's all you will ever want to use shore power for. Do the simplest thing that works for your needs. I installed a DIY 120v setup and we like it for precooling the fridge before a trip and for running a vacuum or power tools inside sometimes, as well as charging and maintaining the battery. We got the Iota 30 amp charger and a small 120v breaker panel for 3 circuits. Details for our setup are here: https://sites.google.com/d/183K6IktHl8C42PCLvOVbeohuTRL3cdd7/p/1v9xi6VBUR2RKS3QdkuyzQCUJx3YoR6Ug/edit

It is really a trade-off, a little extra work and expense up front for a little convenience later. Good luck and enjoy your rig!

 

[Sagebrusher]

So sorry for the multiple posts. Didn't seem to be posting. And the link was bad to boot. Here is a better one: https://sites.google.com/view/sagebrushers/four-wheel-camper-mods/120v-ac

 

[astropuppy]

+1 vote for a NOCO Genius. Even with two 6 volt batteries, you still only have one SET of batteries. You would leave those as is and clip the charger to the -ve post on one of the 6V batteries, and the +ve clip to the +ve post of the other 6V battery. No need to disconnect using the kill switch.

I have a SAE ring terminal connector permanently attached to the battery. Makes plugging in a charger painless, even in the dark. Bonus is its fused. https://www.amazon.com/Connector-Protection-Disconnect-Extension-Motorcycle/dp/B09WYK8HHK/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=sae+to+ring+terminal+cable&sr=8-4

 

[rubberlegs]

Oh, thanks for that idea! I just ordered that cable. Solves another problem I had for airing up tires.

 

[Maddogs]

Thanks again all. I like the permanent ring terminal hookup idea also. The 6v battery setup I am getting has the mini terminal posts along with the larger posts so the rings would connect to the battery no hassle.

Hard to tell from the pics but it looks like the Noco genius 10 charger (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W3QT226/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0) has alligator clips, fixed into the charger body and not removable for another type of connector. So I am thinking I would just cut those leads and splice into another SAE connector to mate to the ring connector on the battery. OR according to literature/ads this should work: https://www.amazon.com/GC009-X-Connect-Accessory-Genius-Chargers/dp/B005DUMADC - but unclear what unplugs from the charger to plug into the adapter without cutting.

 

[Maddogs]

Nevermind I found on a the Noco site a pic that shows in detail there is an inline Noco proprietary connector to the alligator clips, so with the xconnect adapter above makes connecting to SAE simple. But not very cheap