Recommended Components for Trailer Battery Maintenance Charging

Question:

Ive seen a couple recommendations on 10 gauge wire to charge a trailer battery. I have a 12 gauge already run with a 20 amp fuse. Will it work but just charge slower? Also, is an in-line current directional solenoid that is required in addition to an ignition controlled solendiod? Thanks!

asked by: Corey

Expert Reply:

A 12 gauge wire will work fine for your trailer battery maintenance charge, but as you said will just be slightly slower over the same distance. If you use a solenoid like the Battery Isolation Solenoid # PK5231201 to give you the ignition protection so you don't drain your vehicle battery, you will still want to use a circuit breaker like # 9510 to protect your battery from the 80 amps that the solenoid lets through. You do not need to run a 20 amp fuse on this line as the 40 amp breaker will protect you and will automatically reset so you won't need to replace anything if there is a power surge.

expert reply by: Jason S