Recommendation for Power When Not Hooked Up to Vehicle  

Question:

Expert Reply:

I can help you with lighting up your enclosed trailer.

First you would want to get an auxiliary battery. Next, we would want to run all the interior lights power wires to a switch, like the Pollack # PK34513, using a 10- or 12-gauge wire, like Deka's # 10-1-1, ending the wire at the battery's positive terminal. To connect them to the power wire you will need to use quick splices # SWC501915-1 and butt connectors # 05732-2 and a ring terminal # DW05741-1 on the end, we have all these on our site from Deka, for your convenience.

After connecting and running the power wire to the battery, we will need to ground all the lights ground wires to the trailer frame or to the negative battery post. We also need to ground the battery negative terminal to the trailer frame. I would recommend using a battery box like this one from Deka # DW03188 to secure your battery inside of and allows you to mount it to the trailer.

If you want your vehicle to maintain a charge on the auxiliary battery, you can run another power wire from the positive battery post to the 7-way plug on your trailer. I have attached an image of which post it will go into for you to look at.

The purpose of the isolator like # PK5231201 is to prevent the vehicle battery from draining if the 12V battery charge circuit is always hot and will be plugged into the trailer for an extended period of time with the interior trailer lights on. You can see if this is the case with your vehicle by using a circuit tester like # PTW2993, and check that black 12V wire when the vehicle is off.

I've attached an image for you to have a visual for your convenience.

expert reply by: Jackie C

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