Recommended Trailer Wiring To Charge Battery And Use Solar Panels
Question:
Hello and thank you for such a helpful website. I have a small tear trailer with a solar system and single 12v deep cycle battery. During heavy usage e.g. lots of video editing on my laptop, plus cloudy days, Ive come to realize that my solar system just isnt enough to keep the trailer battery topped off. Which led me here to figure out how to charge my trailer battery with my tow vehicle. Unfortunately my TV and TT are set up with a flat 4-way, but I have a spare Anderson plug and so Ive thought about buying the wire to run from TV to TT. Ive read through several QandAs and found this one to be helpful and simple enough question-64598. My concern with this method is, what keeps the trailer battery from being overcharged? Would it essentially become a parallel battery bank between the TV/TT while connected through the Anderson plug with ignition on, and thats what keeps it from overcharging? If this is the case, do I need to be concerned about having different batteries in parallel, deep cycle in the trailer and a standard battery in my vehicle?
asked by: Jonathan
Expert Reply:
To wire your vehicle battery 12V to charge a trailer battery, I recommend using a 40 amp In-Line Circuit Breaker - Perpendicular Mount Bracket # 9510 along with # 10-1-1 to wire your trailer connection. In order not to drain your vehicle battery, I recommend you use the Battery Isolation Solenoid # PK5231201 to only allow the trailer to draw power when the vehicle is running.
You will need to use an ignition-controlled circuit in your truck to activate the solenoid. The radio circuit is often used for such purposes. You will need a fuse tap to access the switching function on this circuit; you can use part # F2526 from Firestone. This plugs into the fuse socket for your radio and connects to the center post on the solenoid. 12V power from the tow vehicle battery connects to either the left or right terminal and the power output exits the other side.
From your 12V trailer connection on the trailer, to allow you to use both solar and battery power, I recommend using the Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger # 331-BCDC1240D. This will allow you to charge and maintain your 12V deep cycle trailer battery. It uses maximum power point tracking technology to acieve the most effiecient charge from your olar panels and eliminates the need for other regulators. It will keep your battery or batteries at peak charge without overcharging or undercharging. It also keeps you informed of the charging process. I've attached a photo to assist.
Products Referenced in This Question
Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger - Dual Input - DC to DC - 12V/24V - 40 Amp
- Battery Charger
- Battery Charger
- RV/Camper
- Trailer
- 200 Ah
- Charges/Maintains
- 12V
- Solar Panels to Auxiliary Battery
- Vehicle Battery to Auxiliary Battery
- Redarc
more information >
Starter Solenoid - SPST - 12 Volt - 100 Amp - Continuous Duty - Grounded
- Accessories and Parts
- Battery Boxes
- Switches and Solenoids
- 100 Amp
- Pollak
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
40 Amp In-Line Circuit Breaker - Perpendicular Mount Bracket
- Accessories and Parts
- Wiring
- Circuit Breaker
- 40 Amp
- Pollak
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Dexstar Steel Mini Mod Trailer Wheel - 16" x 6" Rim - 8 on 6-1/2 - Black
- Shop: Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Shop: Erickson E Track Tie-Down Kit w/ 4 Ratchet Straps with Roller Idlers and 2 Wheel Chocks - 1,100 lbs
- Article: Trailer Lighting Requirements
- Video: etrailer Horizontal E-Track Review
- Q&A: Tie-Down Recommendation for Bulldog Winch Ratcheting Wheel Tie-Down Strap
- Search Results: wheel chock
- Search Results: end cap
- Search Results: e track caps
- Shop: Black Mounting Bezel for Optronics ThinLine Combination LED Tail Light - 20-1/2" Long
- Shop: Fusion LED Combination Tail Light Bar for Trailers over 80" Wide - Submersible - Clear Lens
- Shop: Optronics ThinLine LED Trailer Tail LIght - Stop, Turn, Tail - Submersible - 11 Diodes - Clear Lens
- Shop: Fusion LED Combination Tail Light Bar for Trailers Over 80" Wide - Submersible - Red/Clear Lens
- Video: Review of Optronics Trailer Lights - Tail Lights - STL264RCB
- Video: Review of Optronics Trailer Lights - ThinLine Black Bezel - A64BB
- Video: Optronics Fusion LED Combination Tail Light Bar Installation
- Video: Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit Installation - 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe
- Video: Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit Review
- Video: Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit Installation - 2020 Ford Expedition
- Search Results: ac unit
- Search Results: solar battery charger
- Search Results: 7 blade tester
- Search Results: dual function side marker lights
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Q&A: Can I Mount Multiple Pieces Of E-track To Make An 18 Feet Strip
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Q&A: Adding a Battery to a Trailer with a 4-Way Connector
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: RV Exterior Lighting
- Q&A: Correct Replacement Light for Trailer Light Base Part # 1A-S-9