How to Charge a Trailer Battery with a Vehicle with a 4-way

Question:

Hey, I have a 2013 Subaru Outback and 2011 Little Guy Silver Shadow Trailer. The trailer has lights, fans, brake lights, and battery. I believe the cable that hooks up to the trailer is a 7-Way connector. If I get the 4 Way OEM part for my suabru then a 4 way to 7 way adapter. Will it charge the trailer battery and work with the brake lights? Thanks!

asked by: Thomas F

Expert Reply:

To charge the battery on your trailer that has a 7-way with your 2013 Subaru Outback that has a 4-way on it currently you can use the # 37185 that you referenced, but you will need to run the black wire of the adapter up to the battery with 10 gauge wire like part # 10-1-1 (sold by the foot) through a 40 amp breaker like part # 9510.

This will activate the circuit required to charge your trailer battery.

I attached a video that covers how to install a brake controller in a similar vehicle as yours, you would want to skip the part about installing the brake controller but there is a section of the video that shows how to run the charge wire.

expert reply by: Jameson C