Wiring Reverse Lights and Winch on a trailer

Question:

I am wanting rewire my trailer to have on board reverse lights when Im backing up, on board winch and lights that I can flip on when loading and unloading at night. How would I be able to do this if possible? I do plan to have an deep cycle battery on the trailer for winch and/or work lights. Can normal trailer wiring harnesses maintain and charge that battery when its hooked up? All lights I plan to use LEDs.

asked by: Allen

Expert Reply:

If you do not have one already, you will need to install a 7-Way connector on your trailer. I recommend using the Hopkins 7-Way Molded Trailer Wire Connector # H20046. The white wire from the harness is for ground, the red is left turn and brake, the brown is right turn and brake, the green is for taillights, blue is for brakes, the black is the 12 volt power wire and yellow is accessory (or in your case reverse lights).

I have attached a link that will take you to our selection of LED backup lights such as the Optronics # BUL22CB. Most lights will feature a 2-wire design that includes a lead and ground wire.

The 7-Way harness will provide enough power to maintain the charge on your battery when it is not in use, however there will not be enough to actually charge it back up when it is connected to your winch.

In order to charge a dead battery on your trailer, I recommend looking at the CTEK MULTI US 7002 Battery Charger # CTEK56353 that will plug into a wall outlet. I have attached a video demonstration on this product for you to look at.

expert reply by: Chris R