Can 8 Gauge Wire Be Used in OEM Trailer Connector on a 1998 Dodge Ram 2500
Question:
I have a 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 diesel with quad cab and long bed, to which I am mounting a slide in camper with its own wiring connector to plug into my factory trailer connector Chrysler 56038366. I want to increase the wire gauge going thru connector from truck charging circuit from present 12ga to 8ga, so I can run camper refridgerator while driving, but NOT while engine is off. I already have an 8ga wire, with inline 40 amp fuse, running from battery back to rear bumper, for a boat winch. I plan to put your isolater PK5231201 in this line under the truck hood with a wire to ignition so theres no power to camper or winch when ignition is off. I plan to split the 8ga wire at the rear bumper so both winch and camper will receive power when key is on. My question finally :- is how to attach the 8 ga wire to the back of my OEM trailer connector? Ive opened this connector but I dont know how to remove the individual wire terminals at the wiring harness end. Do I just pull them out with needle nose pliers? And do you sell a connector to attach/ the 8ga wire into the trilaer wiring connector? I thought I would attach the 8ga wire to the electric brakes terminal. I use surge brakes on my boat trailer. Or would it be better to use the backup lamps terminal?
asked by: Bruce J
Expert Reply:
On plugs like the one in your picture there is normally a locking device that holds the wires in place. Pulling them out without first removing the locking device could result in damage to the connector. You will need to look for anything that looks like it might be a retaining device. You will most likely need to use a very small screwdriver to depress a tab or push in something to release the wires.
The other way to do this is to bypass that connector all together and run the wire from the back of the trailer connector (reverse light circuit, if not being used, would be best because it is alternatively used as a auxiliary power circuit) bypass the pictured connector and on to the isolator. You will want to sever the wire currently associated with the reverse light pin so that it is not receiving power from 2 sources.
You might also consider increasing the gauge of the ground wire.
We do not have specific connectors to attach the 8 gauge wire to the connector. You would either need to try to reuse the old one or an electronics shop might have some that would be a better fit.
You have to be careful though going with a larger gauge wire because the larger the wire the harder it is for the electricity to travel from one end to the other. It the truck battery and alternator are not strong enough to push the required power back on the larger wire then the devices drawing the power may not work correctly or at the proper capacity.
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Starter Solenoid - SPST - 12 Volt - 100 Amp - Continuous Duty - Grounded
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