Wiring a Trailer Breakaway Switch on a Trailer with an Existing Winch Battery

Updated 04/19/2010 | Published 04/17/2010

Products Featured in This Question

Hopkins Engager Trailer Breakaway Kit w/ Charger, LED Tester, and 5 Ah Battery - Side Load

(754)

$62.18

Question:

I have a winch battery on the trailer. Can I wire 12 volts to the breakaway switch and splice the other side of that switch to elec trailer feed wire blue? Thanks

asked by: Charles

Expert Reply:

Yes, a breakaway kit can be wired in one of two ways to the trailer brake system. The first way would be to use the Engager Trailer BreakAway Kit with Charger and Tester, item # 20099, and splice off of the power wire that maintains the winch battery on the trailer to charge the battery included in the kit (see instructions). This is the recommended method of installing a breakaway kit since many states require that a breakaway kit with separate power supply be used.

The second option, not recommended, is to use the existing battery for the trailer winch. This method will provide breakaway power to the trailer brakes if, when a breakaway occurs, the battery has the power to engage the trailer brake magnets. Since this situation could fail, due to the battery being discharged by use of the winch, I do not recommend wiring a breakaway switch in this manner.

Wiring a breakaway switch directly to the 12 volt power source from the trailer connector will not work because, in the event of a breakaway, the power for the brake magnets would be disconnected.

expert reply by: Robert G