Breakaway Battery Continually Goes Dead

Updated 07/11/2015 | Published 07/09/2015

Question:

Hullo, I have installed your breakaway system on our camper. The small battery continually goes flat, I have three 12v batteries in the camper. Is it possible to bypass the small battery in the breakaway box and wire directly to the main batteries in the camper? If yes, would I need to put a fuse on the positive line. Thank you, in anticipation of a reply. PS. WE ARE HOPING TO LEAVE EARLY NEXT WEEK TO GO AWAY FOR A FEW WEEKS. IF YOU CAN HELP ME WITH AN ANSWER VERY SOON, I WOULD BE MOST SINCERELY GRATEFUL. Kind Regards

asked by: Bob S

Expert Reply:

The small breakaway battery shouldn't be going dead unless the breakaway switch is being pulled, there's a short in the system somewhere or the system has been incorrectly wired.

The battery should be receiving a maintenance charge from the 12-volt power feed from the trailer connector on the tow vehicle. I would not recommend bypassing or altering the system at all. The breakaway system should have its own dedicated battery.

I'll link you to an FAQ article that shows how the system should be wired. I'd recommend reviewing the installation, and carefully checking the wiring to ensure that there aren't any nicks in the wiring that would allow a short that would drain the battery.

expert reply by: Mike L