ramblinChet
Drinks Alone
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- Thread starter ramblinChet
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I really like that these trucks have this to make hooking up battery drawn accessories easy. I used it to hook up my aftermarket power distribution center, and it kept the install clean. Now I know it has a name/acronym, HAPP!
farmallboy
Stump Killer
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So you could say your HAPPy about it?
I know.
I have a 1 year old so I guess it's time for lame puns
Hahaha that made me laugh. I also have two young kids and trust me, I get it. The dad jokes are real!
I am in the process of installing a feed to power the same DC-DC charger in my trailer. My plan is to use the HAPP to run a 4ga feed through a 40a breaker and continuous duty solenoid (triggered by an aux switch feed) to the rear of the truck terminating in an Anderson connector. Having an open ended plug on the back of the truck is why I am using the solenoid/aux switch. From that point it will feed in to the DC-DC charger and my trailer 12v system. What I have read about that Victron DC-DC charger is that when it turns on it pulls the full 30a and continuous on the 40a from the PDC/aux switching is only rated at 28a (odd given the general 80% rule for continuous breaker limits would be 32a).
In regards to grounding you could run an additional flex ground strap from the block to a point on the frame and just ground the accessories to the frame (possibly just double up the factory one). My guess is the grounding requirement is because you would be exceeding the rating of the factory ground strap by adding more than 50a of draw at the HAPP (there is no mention of this being a different if you have the upgraded/dual alternators). I would have to assume their engineers are basing that number off of a calculation where all factory circuits including the PDC are utilized so there probably is a bit of swag.
My suggestion would be to mount 2 solenoids (I am using the Cole Hersee - 24059-08-BP which is rated at 65a) connected to the HAPP to power your high draw accessories and keep the winch directly connected as instructed (that's how I have my Gladiator winch set up). That will give you the flexibility to use any of the aux switches or an ignition feed to trigger them while getting direct power from the battery. I prefer putting in the switching should something happen to the accessory you will be able to shut down the feed at the solenoid.
In regards to grounding you could run an additional flex ground strap from the block to a point on the frame and just ground the accessories to the frame (possibly just double up the factory one). My guess is the grounding requirement is because you would be exceeding the rating of the factory ground strap by adding more than 50a of draw at the HAPP (there is no mention of this being a different if you have the upgraded/dual alternators). I would have to assume their engineers are basing that number off of a calculation where all factory circuits including the PDC are utilized so there probably is a bit of swag.
My suggestion would be to mount 2 solenoids (I am using the Cole Hersee - 24059-08-BP which is rated at 65a) connected to the HAPP to power your high draw accessories and keep the winch directly connected as instructed (that's how I have my Gladiator winch set up). That will give you the flexibility to use any of the aux switches or an ignition feed to trigger them while getting direct power from the battery. I prefer putting in the switching should something happen to the accessory you will be able to shut down the feed at the solenoid.