

With a smart alternator, the Blue Sea might sense the lower voltage and shut down charging the camper batteries. It works perfectly well with most trucks, but some modern trucks have smart alternators that will step-up or step-down the provided voltage to save fuel economy. The Blue Sea ACR is just a simple isolator. The reason why we are upgrading to the Redarc DC-DC charger over the Blue Sea ACR is for better camper battery isolation from the truck battery and different charging characteristics.Ībove: Before the Redarc DC-DC charger, FWC used the Blue Sea ACR which is just a simple isolator The Blue Sea ACR remains a solid choice and we use a lot of Blue Sea products in other areas of our campers. James: Prior to 2023, we used a Blue Sea Systems automatic charging relay (ACR) to charge the camper batteries from the truck alternator while traveling and to isolate the truck and camper batteries when discharging or not traveling.Ībove: The new Anderson truck to camper plug connection allows FWC to use thicker gauge wire.įor 2023, we are upgrading to the Redarc DC-DC charger a 12-volt, 25-amp, DC-DC battery charger that works with lithium, AGM, gel, and standard lead acid and calcium batteries.Ībove: The Renogy 500A displays battery and solar power and will be installed with a basic lithium battery system if the customer orders the complete solar system from FWC.

Let’s get plugged in.įor 2023, FWC is changing its battery isolator and DC charging system from Blue Sea to Redarc. To find out exactly watts going on at Four Wheel Campers, we talked to James Cloherty, FWC Engineer, and Stan Kennedy, FWC’s brand champion and chief keeper of company history. To that power play, FWC is adding Dakota lithium batteries totaling up to 405 amp hours (depending on the camper model) and significant upgrades to the onboard isolator and converter. Out goes a number of tried and true but technically outdated products from Blue Sea Systems and Iota to be superseded by the new power-to-go rockstars Redarc and Victron. In the meantime, Four Wheel Campers is serving up a huge leap forward in onboard tech for 2023. Honestly, we’re not too far away from labeling every truck camper manufacturer a technology company. All of this is before the foreseeable tidal wave of EV trucks brings yet another technology sea change to our marketplace. With that comes the need to integrate newer technologies that are then integrated into our phones. To support everyone’s increasing power needs, truck camper manufacturers have been adding more solar, battery capacity, and power outlets. Now we have phones, tablets, laptops, smart watches, cameras, and beyond. Long gone are the days of an ice box, a few incandescent lights, and a good book. The Luddite in me is sorry to report that all of us have apparently lost the battle to keep our screens, gadgets, and electronics out of truck camping. Four Wheel Campers is upgrading to Redarc isolators, Victron converters, and optional Dakota lithium batteries.
