Wiring a Stand Alone Battery for Portable Power Supply for a Horse Trailer With 6 or 7-Way Connector

Question:

Weird question: Is there a portable power assembly or systems sold that connects to a stand-alone car battery such that I can connnect the portable power supply to the horse trailer plug for power as if attaching to my car plug? That way, I can utilize the lights without connecting to my car in-between horse shows for lights in the dark. I thought about making a portable system yet, if one is available it may be easier to purchase that way. Please let me know. Thank you.

asked by: James S

Expert Reply:

I think I can help you out here, but you would need to build the adapter as you have suggested. I do not know of a power supply connector assembly for a stand-alone battery at this time.

I would start with an appropriate length of 10 gauge double bonded wire, # 10-2-1, to go from the 7-way or 6-way trailer connector to the area where the battery will be stored. Do not store the battery inside the horse trailer or directly on the ground.

Next, wire a vehicle end connector that is compatible with the trailer end connector on your trailer. For a 6-Way connector use the Pollak 6-Pole Trailer Wiring Socket, # PK12720, and for a 7-Way connector use the Pollak 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Socket, # PK12-707E. We have wiring diagrams on our trailer wiring diagrams page, see link, and you will only need to connect the 12-volt positive battery lead and ground to the proper connections in the appropriate connector. Check your trailer wiring with a circuit tester, # PTW2993, to be sure you make the correct connections.

Finally, to connect to the stand-alone battery you could use the alligator clip connectors from the Battery Adapter, # RM-9332, or, if you use a deep cycle battery with studs and wing nuts at the positive and negative posts, you can use two ring terminals, # DW05705-1, to secure the wiring to the battery. Another option would be to use to normal battery terminals from a auto parts store and connect the wiring to those.