Using a Battery Isolating Solenoid to Shut Off Power to 12 Volt Circuit on a Trailer Connector

Question:

When Wiring the Battery Isolation Solenoid part PK5231201 inline with the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires part ETBC7 do I want to place the circuit breaker between the vehicle battery and the solenoid input as I suspect will protect the solenoid or is it better to wire vehicle battery directly to the solenoid input, and place the circuit breaker between the solenoid out and the 7-way connector socket?

asked by: Shawn

Expert Reply:

You can put the circuit breaker for the 12 volt power wire for # ETBC7 between the battery and the solenoid so that it is protecting the whole circuit. A note on the solenoid it is rated for 100 amps and the circuit breaker is rated for 40 amps. The breaker would trip long before the solenoid would fail so really if more than 40 amps was pulled on the 12 volt circuit it would not matter where the circuit breaker is placed relative to the solenoid.

As you probably know, using the isolation solenoid # PK5231201 will shut off the 12 volt circuit on the 7-Way once the truck is turned off.

expert reply by: Michael H