The Ford Transit, like many of its competitors, is equipped with a Customer Connection Point (CCP) that enables the upfitter to access the surplus electrical power produced by the engine’s alternator.
A direct connection between alternator and the house battery bank of a RV has always been the acceptable way of charging the batteries. But vehicle alternators have been changing in the past few years and less suitable for this kind of setup.
A pricey alternative is the installation of a dual alternator system that works completely separate from the vehicle.
To make things easier for the consumer, Ford included a 12V access point (CCP) in every Transit.
It has up to three fused connectors, each with a maximum 60 Amp output. My 2016 Transit arrived with only one connection point and that’s sufficient for most of us, certainly for the small and temporary inverter that I just bought.
Today I received my CCP kit (BK2Z-14S411-A) from the dealer. It consists of two 60 Amp fuses, two metal braces and a few bolts and nuts. Installation should be fairly straightforward, yet it involves a lot of work: removal of the powered driver seat and removal of the car battery, which is located beneath this seat.
After completion, I have 180 Amps @ 12V available, which could accommodate an inverter of up to 2000 Watts. Wait for the installation description and videos that I’ll publish at a future date.
I am installing a 145LB deep cycle AGM battery (interstate) to power an 1800 w Xantrex inverter. I found the cpp terminal under the seat, and want to charge the battery when the truck is driven. I was pleasantly surprised you discussed yours at the right time for me. Where are you grounding the 12 volt to the chassis? Ford says to the chassis, but where. I also will use shore power 110vac to the inverter and need to ground the dist box to the chassis. Where is this point?
I am already on your mail list.
In advance of your reply, my thanks Lan
Dear Lan:
I connected a temporary, small (450w) inverter to the single post (CCP) at the driver’s seat. You can read about that at Samlex SAM-450-12 Modified Sine Wave Inverter.
This article contains several photos about where I connected it to a grounding point and the video shows it even more clearly. The BEMM (Body and Equipment Mounting Manual) from Ford has more information about grounding points. You can download this manual at my resources page.
This is an overview of all the grounding point in a 2015/2016 Ford Transit.
Remember, Ford advises a maximum of two connections per grounding point. Each of the (maximum) three CCP’s has a maximum 60 Amp load. Currently my temporary inverter draws way less than one point can supply, but over the next few weeks I’ll be installing the other two connection points; that will make it possible to connect a bigger inverter in the future.
Thanks for your interest!
Van Williams
Dear Lan:
I just finished an upgrade of the CCP. You can read about it here.
Hi there. Thanks heaps for this website, I was freaking out trying to figure out how I can charge batteries off my alternator on my Transit!!
This may be a silly question, but everyone seems to be mentioning they’re connecting the CCP straight to an inverter. Why? I was thinking of connecting the CCP to a set of house batteries via a Voltage Sensing Relay to charge the house batteries while I drive. Then I guessed you would wire any inverter to your house batteries?
Thanks in advance for your advice! Hopefully you’re still checking this in 2019!
Hi Jono:
Lots of different issues here. The main thread is that the car battery has a different charging scheme than your house batteries. It soon gets complicated when you combine a standard lead acid car battery (or AGM) with lead acid, AGM or Lithium house batteries. All need to be charged differently. You avoid that by connecting an inverter to the CCP and either connect the inverter to a separate house battery charger, appropriate for your house batteries or you connect your appliance or chargers to the inverter, but the latter only works when you’re driving.
The relay also comes in lots of versions; I think an electronic, dual volt sensing relay is the best, but I would need to research that.
Also keep in mind that the capacity of the alternator plays a big role here. Charging through the alternator is especially advantageous in combination with Lithium house batteries.
Van Williams