Is it Possible to Hook Seven-Way Directly to a Battery to Power Concession Trailer Lights?

Question

Question:

Can I use a car side 7-way to hoop up to my trailer so my 12-volt lights will operate while not hooked to my truck? Maybe using a deep cell battery or something I can keep charged? I have some 12v lights on my concession-type trailer that need to run when not connected to the truck. The trailer is also wired for 110v when I am hooked up to power for it. The 12v lights I want to use are separate from those lights. I want to be able to use my 12v rear entry and also have four LED scene lights on the side that are on the 12v system. What all would I need and is this possible? I am thinking I can use the 7-way car side fitting and hook direct to a battery for short term use.

asked by: Buddy N

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

It is possible to use a 7-way vehicle end connector such as # PK12-707E to hook up to a stand-alone battery for your lights. You would need to connect by using 10 gauge wire, # 10-2-1, and if you use a deep cell battery as you suggested, a pair of ring terminals such as # DW05705-1 would secure your wiring to the battery.

For a more permanent setup, you can mount a battery box such as # DW03188 (the exact size would depend on the dimension of the battery) on the trailer so you do not have to constantly tote an extra battery around. You will be able to ground the battery to the trailer's frame with the ground from the main trailer wiring, and you can run the power wire from the trailer plug to the battery.

I have also added a link to a help article on trailer wiring which you may find useful, as well as a link to all of your battery boxes so you can find the correct size.

expert reply by: Kyle S

1

Answer 1

Either way is correct. It depends on if you want to keep the semi-style 7-Way (if you need to tow that type of trailer) or if you will never be towing a semi-trailer. If you need to keep the 7-Way semi active on the truck, then you would need to…

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Answer 2

There are a number of factors involved when converting a semi 7-way to an RV 7-way. Semis generally use a 7-pin round pin socket, similar to #PK11720. And RV style 7-way uses blades, like #PK12706. We do not offer any pre-made adapters to make this…

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Answer 3

Past customers have told us the AL-KO 8460 uses inner bearing 25580 and outer bearing 15123, which would make the Timken Bearing Kit #TMK82VR the correct replacement bearing kit for that hub. If you are looking to replace the hub entirely the…

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Answer 4

To determine if your motorhome has the Tiffin air brake setup or Freightliner BrakeSync you'll need to look at the rear and see if there's an quick disconnect fitting for your air line. The standard Tiffin air coupler fitting would…

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Answer 5

For a trailer that has an angle iron frame like what you have what I would recommend is a system like the Reese Steadi-Flex part #RP66558 you referenced and have the outer brackets welded to the frame of the trailer since there isn't a clamp…

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Answer 6

On a 7 pin round which is the common connection on a semi trailer, the clearance/marker lights are at the 10 o clock position when you look at the trailer wiring connection. When looking at the connector on the back of the truck, that will put the…

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Answer 7

The 7290 that you see is a casting number. It is found on AL-KO hubs that fit #99 spindles. I found that the bearings used are #28580 which would be the inner bearing and #25580 which would be the outer bearing. For the seal use #91030.

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Answer 8

You do not need to connect the 12V power connection on your F-150 7-way. That power is only required if you want to charge a trailer battery while towing or if you are using an electric device on your trailer like a powered sway control or wireless…

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Answer 9

You can put a maintenance charge on your trailer battery with the 12 volt accessory circuit of the 7-way. The 1:00 position of your 7-way carries this circuit. You would just need to run a length of 10 gauge wire like part #10-1-1 (sold by the…

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Answer 10

You would not be able to charge your battery through the wiring on your 4-way trailer connector. Since your truck has a 7-way connector, you could maintain the power to the battery but not charge it. To begin, you would need to cut off your 4-way…

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Answer 11

The PA66-MD40 is a standard 7-way which we have diagrams for. I attached a picture that shows how a standard RV 7-way gets wired up for you to check out.

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Answer 12

To wire your trailer and 7-way to the Junction Box Trailer Wiring Junction Box #38656 you simply need to attach your trailer 7-way like the 7-Way Connector #H20046 to the box with Ring Terminals #44-5310A. The Optronics LED Trailer Tail Light…

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