Can Winch be Powered by 7-Way

Updated 04/19/2024 | Published 04/02/2024

Question:

So I have 12v winch I want to mount on a trailer but I want to wire a pigtail to the winch and when I want I want to use the winch I just unplug the trailer from the truck and use the battery from the truck. So basically unplug the trailer and plug the winch into the 7way plug or better yet plug the 4way into the 7way and use the truck power instead of having a separate battery. How you understood that? Thank you Jay

asked by: Jay

Expert Reply:

The 12 volt power on the 7-way will not have enough juice for an electric winch so there's no way to use the 7-way like you wanted. The best option for your winch is really using a quick connect wiring kit, the Bulldog Winch Wiring Kit for ATV/UTV Winches # BDW20307.

expert reply by: Kyle S

Jay

4/19/2024

Thanks fir the information Kyle. I decided to take a different route. I have an enclosed trailer and I put a 12V battery deep cycle battery inside to run my winch. My question is how do I wire something to charge the battery while hooked up to the truck so it stays charged? Do I tap into my break controller wire that's hooked up to the break controller battery? Thank you Jay

Kyle S.

4/19/2024

@Jay So to put a maintenance charge on your trailer battery you would run wire like 10 gauge # 10-1-1 from the 12 volt accessory circuit of your 7-way trailer side connector to the positive post of the trailer battery.

Jay

4/19/2024

@KyleS Thanks Kyle so basically I have to splice into my 7way trailer wire? Also would I need a ground for the battery inside the trailer? Thanks again for your help

Kyle S.

4/19/2024

@Jay Yep, that's 100 percent correct. And yes, a ground from the negative post, you got it right.