Can Push to Test Breakaway Charging Light be Turned Off When Trailer is Connected to Tow Vehicle

Question:

is it normal for the charge light on the Pro series push to test breakaway kit to remain on when trailer is connected to the tow vehicle. Is there a way to turn off the charge light and have it only come on when the push button is pressed. Afraid that the constant draw for the light may drain my battery if I leave the connection for an extended period of time.

asked by: Larry

Expert Reply:

As long as the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle and the battery isn't fully charged the single yellow LED charging light will be on. This is because the 12 volt circuit is always active in the vehicle side trailer connector.

The single LED light draws such little power that it would likely take weeks if not longer of it just sitting with that light on to drain the battery. Bit there is a way that you can remove power from the 12 volt circuit when the truck is turned off.

You could install an isolation solenoid # PK5231201. If you have a factory 7-Way then you would have to bypass the factory wiring by running wire from the 7-Way 12 volt circuit to the solenoid. There should also be a 40 amp circuit breaker, # PK54540, between the battery and the solenoid.

If the 7-Way has hardwired in then you likely already have some sort of circuit protection so you would just install the solenoid as shown in the picture I have included.

Once the truck is turned off it will cut power to the 12 volt circuit and the charging light will go off. Anything else that uses that 12 volt circuit though will also be without power.

expert reply by: Michael H