Recommended Way to Test Trailer Lighting With a Car Battery to a 4-Way Trailer Connector
Question:
My trailer is out in back of yard, can I use this method to test the trailer lights without out any grounding? Am I correct in taking any standard length of electrical wire or the same gauge wire as trailer lights-what is that gauge? to run a jumper from positive post of car battery to the three male plugs. What about the female prongground? Does a jumper wire need to be run from the female to neg post of car battery-to have a complete circuit? Thank you for your answers!
asked by: Ran M
Expert Reply:
The 5-way flat trailer connector in-line circuit tester # 20115 you referenced won't be needed. You would need to have a 12V power source and your jumper wire which will let you know if you have working trailer lights. The most common gauge trailer light wire for 4-way or 5-way trailer connector is 14-16.
You will need to make sure that you secure the ground wire to the trailer frame. See picture to the right.
I recommend a circuit tester such as # PTW2993, if you are checking for breaks in the trailer wiring while connected to a power source.
Take a look at the FAQ about trailer wiring I included.
Products Referenced in This Question
Continue Researching
- Shop: Spare Tire Cover
- Shop: CE Smith Spare Tire Cover - 25" Diameter x 7-1/2" Wide Trailer Tires - Black
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Article: Troubleshooting 4 and 5-Way Wiring Installations
- Article: Routing the Power Wire for a Trailer Wiring Harness
- Article: Dielectric Grease Review
- Shop: CE Smith Spare Tire Cover - 27" Diameter x 8-1/2" Wide Trailer Tires - Black
- Search Results: spare tire covers
- Shop: Pollak Black Plastic, 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector - Trailer End
- Q&A: Should Boat Trailer Lights Short Out When Backed Into Water
- Video: Optronics Sealed Thin Line LED Trailer Clearance Light Review MCL65RB
- Video: Optronics Sealed Mini Rectangular LED Stud Mount Trailer Clearance Light Installation
- Video: Optronics LED Amber Clearance and Side Marker Light Review
- Video: Optronics Sealed Thin Line Two-Bulb Trailer Clearance Light Installation
- Search Results: electrical tape
- Search Results: tow ready
- Search Results: mc65rb
- Search Results: 20142
- Search Results: 12~706
- Search Results: a65b
- Shop: Hook Probe Circuit Tester
- Shop: Black Bracket and Single Wire Plug for Thin Line Series Trailer Clearance and Side Marker Lights
- Shop: Optronics ThinLine Clearance or Side Marker Light w/ Chrome Bracket - Submersible - 3 Diodes - Red
- Shop: Optronics Incandescent Trailer Clearance and Side Marker Light - Submersible - 2 Bulbs - Red Lens
- Video: Pollak Black Plastic 7-Pole RV-Style Trailer Connector Review
- Q&A: Checking Trailer Lights Without Hooking Up to Vehicle?
- Q&A: Can The RV Safe 2-Wire RV Propane Gas and Carbon Monoxide Detector # RS44FR Be Mounted Vertically
- Video: Review of RV Safe RV Gas Detectors - Black RV Propane Detector - RS44FR
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: Camper Tie-Downs