12 Volt Pin on Aftermarket 7-Way on a 2000 Toyota Tacoma is Hot All the Time

Question:

I just installed ETBC7 connector on my 2000 toyota tacoma. Everything seems fine, but the red 12v LED indicator stays lit all the time. Is this correct?

asked by: Jim C

Helpful Expert Reply:

On some vehicles, the 12 volt circuit is hot all the time. Since you hardwired in the # ETBC7, it is directly connected to the battery via a 40 amp circuit breaker so it should be hot all the time. This is nothing to be concerned about unless something is plugged in and drawing power. Just remember that if you will be parked for a long time, disconnect the trailer! If there is nothing on the trailer that uses the 12 volt pin then you will not have to disconnect the trailer.

Even though there is nothing to worry about and unplugging the trailer is all you really have to do, one of my colleagues suggests using a battery isolator in line with the 12 volt wire ran to the 7-Way. Use # PK5231201 and the 12 volt circuit will only be hot when the ignition is on.

From the circuit breaker before connecting to the battery you would connect to the input post then run a wire from the output post to the positive battery terminal. You would need to wire the center pin to a 12 volt ignition source (a circuit that is only hot with the ignition turned on). The unit grounds through the mounting locations so it will need to be attached to a bare metal surface.

expert reply by: Michael H