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New Tvan Tanami owner wanting to add a DCDC charger

Started by ausx1er, November 10, 2025, 07:55:09 PM

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ausx1er

1st time caravan & Tvan owner from Canberra here with a 2013 Tanami.

Checking, cleaning, learning about everything eg find all the fuses and make sure I've got the right spares etc

Currently fridge wise I have a thermoelectric cooler I use for day trips and an esky in the back of ute for everything else. Now that I have a Tvan I would like to put a yet to be purchased 12v fridge in either between the bed end and the tent or perhaps a drawer type one under the bed.

Existing Tvan Electrics
60w solar panel on roof.
100amph AGM battery (new)
The original 240v Projecta charger
Projecta 12v 7amp solar charge controller connected to the battery and roof mounted solar. Nothing wired into Aux slot.
Everything working as it should.

There's an Anderson plug on drawbar. Previous owner and manual state this is for charging the battery from the vehicle when driving and for additional solar panels. Whilst I haven't yet traced the Anderson plug wiring to its final destination my start point is that it's wired directly to the battery. Haven't yet checked the size of the wiring. This direct connection to the battery means I need a controller on the portable solar panels into this socket. Is this correct?

I haven't yet installed additional wiring into the Navara to get power to the rear next to the trailer wiring socket but I'm comfortable I know how to do this with the kits that are available and from wiring in the UHF I know there's a spare fuse spot that only operates when the ignition is on.

Not so sure I'll tackle the Tvan wiring by myself but I still want to know how it should be set it up.

The Navara has a smart alternator so a DCDC charger between it and the Tvan's battery is needed. The DCDC charging world is new to me. Preference is to place the DCDC charger in the Tvan next to or near the electrical control panel and so based on what I've read I have assumed I will need an isolated DCDC charger (is this correct?).

To match the 100amh battery I'm thinking of something compact like the Victron Orion-Tr Smart 12/12-18A (220W) Isolated DC-DC Charger placing it inside the Tvan wired in between the Anderson plug and the battery with fuses either side of the charger. That would seem to work for the charging whilst driving solution and any additional portable solar panel with controller setup I might buy later on and plug in to the Anderson plug

Have I got the above right?

Final question is that how does the 60w fixed roof solar panel which seems to be permanently on and the DCDC unit charging whilst driving or portable solar panels with controller coexist in such a set up?

Thanks

Michael

Ray

Re the anderson plug on the front, if you measure the voltage and find it is at battery voltage that shows it is directly connected to the battery. To connect a portable panel you will need a solar regulator/controller, mppt types are best. I prefer victron gear, well made well priced and very configurable and reliable and you can monitor all devices from one app.

If you add a dc-dc charger on the cable coming from the car alternator you will need another anderson plug or similar connected to the battery for the portable panel and regulator.

You can have solar via regulator (eg 60 watts on roof) and alternator dc-dc charge connected to the battery at the same time. The agm battery will control the voltages and draw what it needs and slow down when full.

hope that helps,
Ray
White NT Pajero and 2009 Tvan Sport with custom kitchen

ausx1er