How To Maintain Charge In Trailer Battery That Will Run A Powered Trailer Jack On A Pace Trailer

Question:

I am interested in the Bulldog power jack BD500200. I have a Pace AMerican Summit trailer 2 axle with electric brakes and brake controller. Before I buy I need to know the following: I DO NOT have a battery to attach the power lead of the 500185 too. Here are my questions: 1 What is the recommended battery to power the 500185 and only the 500185 CCA, amps, posts, reserve, etc.? I do not need power for any other items. 2 What is the recommended way to wire a trickle wire from some source on the trailer to the battery of the 500185? This way I can trickle charge the 500185 battery when I am connected to the tow vehicle and the tow vehicle is running? Can I use the positive wire splice into of the break, break away battery to provide the trickle charge just like it does for the break away battery? What is the standard to do this? Are there other options to wire for a trickle charge to the 500185 battery? Thanks your customer.

asked by: Frank D

Expert Reply:

You will want to use a standard 12 volt deep cycle trailer battery to operate the Bulldog Powered-Drive Trailer Jack, part # BD500200. You will NOT want to use a trailer breakaway battery. The breakaway battery is not designed to power other trailer accessories or lighting, it is just designed to operate the breakaway system.

To keep the trailer battery charged you will need to run a 10 gauge power wire like the, part # 10-1-1, from the 12 volt power pin (# 4 terminal at 11:00 position) on your trailers 7-way connector, to the positive terminal on the trailer battery. Now when the trailer is connected and you are towing, the tow vehicle will provide a maintenance charge to the trailer battery. It will not charge the battery from a discharged state.

You will want to test the # 4 terminal at the 1:00 position on your tow vehicles 7-way connector for power with a circuit tester like the part # PTW2993. This is the terminal that will supply the 12-volt power to your trailers 7-way connector. If it does not show power, you may need to insert a fuse and/or check that the wire is connected to a power source by tracing the wire back.

I am sending a link to a FAQ page on trailer wiring diagrams, which will show the 7-Way connectors and which pins are for what functions.

expert reply by: Jeff D