DC to DC Charger Install

[23_Badlands]

Have plans to power a dc to dc charger with our '23 Bronco. Notice what appear to be two un-used accessory terminals near the positive H7 battery terminal. Anybody know the maximum current rating for these terminals? We anticipate a maximum load of 60a.

I've installed dc to dc chargers on a number of Ram vehicles. Ram uses Z-Case Littlefuses that mount directly on the accessory terminal. Does Ford have something equivalent for use on their terminals?

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[RagnarKon]

I'll preface this by saying I don't know, as Ford doesn't list a specification for them in the accessory installation guide.

BUT, I can make a really good guess:

I can tell you the terminal on the left in your image is M6 threaded and at least 275A. The reason why is because the alternator is fused for 275A, and the connected to the battery through one of two middle terminals. The right-most terminal is M5 threaded, and the rule of thumb is M5 can handle 60% of M6. Which means the terminal on the right is probably at least 165A.

Granted this is going off of fuse ratings and is not necessarily a constant load ratings, but safe to say that you should be fine with an 60A load.

I've installed dc to dc chargers on a number of Ram vehicles. Ram uses Z-Case Littlefuses that mount directly on the accessory terminal. Does Ford have something equivalent for use on their terminals?

I have never seen anything like that on a Ford vehicle... and I've worked primarily on Ford vehicles my entire adult life. But that doesn't necessarily mean something like the Littlefuses doesn't exist from Motorcraft (Ford's version of Mopar).

 

[23_Badlands]

Thanks, RagnarKon! Good to know the alternator is fused at 275a.

Thanks for the link to the Equipment Installation Guide. It says a winch (which can pull hundreds of amps) can be connected directly to the battery's B- accessory terminal, but as you mentioned provides zero guidance for connecting the B+ side (outside of terminal thickness). Strange.

In any event, I'm going to run with your guess/assumption and use the available B+ M6 terminal. The guide also says the circuit must be appropriately fused as close as possible to the battery---probably alluding to an inline fuse. Would prefer to use a Z-Case Littlefuse but it'll sit proud of the M6 terminal on the Bronco. May use a Blue Sea terminal fuse block which has a small, flat bus bar with a fuse similar to a Z-Case fuse attached.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[cr117]

The guide also says the circuit must be appropriately fused as close as possible to the battery---probably alluding to an inline fuse. Would prefer to use a Z-Case Littlefuse but it'll sit proud of the M6 terminal on the Bronco. May use a Blue Sea terminal fuse block which has a small, flat bus bar with a fuse similar to a Z-Case fuse attached.

If you haven't seen this already, American Adventure Labs sells a bracket to mount a switch and fuse: https://americanadventurelab.com/product/battery-cutoff-and-maxi-fuse-bracket-kit/

 

[Bird Dog Off Road]

Did you hook the negative up on the negative post or to the ground on the side near it? I thought I read somewhere to mount it on the side due to a smart battery connector issue.
Hopefully installing my BLUETTI charger 1 this weekend.

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