Options for Charging Accessory Battery on Trailer and Making Sure Battery Doesnt Overcharge

Published 01/15/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Solar Power Kit for TorkLift PowerArmor Battery Box - 10 Watt Panel

(4)

$233.23

NOCO Genius Smart Battery Charger - AC to DC - 6V/12V - 5 Amp

(156)

$69.95

Starter Solenoid - SPST - 12 Volt - 100 Amp - Continuous Duty - Grounded

(13)

$33.90

8-Amp Regulator for TorkLift PowerArmor Solar Battery Boxes

(1)

$197.43

Question:

Here is what I have and I am wondering if you have any hardware to make this system electrically proper. I have a trailer that has solar charger, 120VAC to 12VDC charger, and the power wire from a 7 plug vehicle harness. The trailer has one battery that will run lights, pump, and small blower on propane furnace. My question is can plug these devices into the battery without some sort of controller? I do not want to drain the vehicle battery when it is not running. I do not want to overcharge the trailer battery, and I am thinking that some power could be pushed back into the solar charger or the 120-to-12 supply.. Thanks

asked by: Phill D

Expert Reply:

If you do not want to disconnect the vehicle connector from the trailer connector when you are not towing, you can install a Battery Isolation Solenoid # PK5231201 on your tow vehicle. This solenoid will shut off the 12V feed from your vehicle battery to your trailer's battery when the vehicle's ignition is off. I have attached a review video of this solenoid for you.

I recommend checking to see if your solar charger has a regulator to ensure that the panel doesn't overcharge the battery. Our TorkLift Solar Power Kit # TLA7713 uses a 8-Amp Regulator # TLA7715 to make sure the panel doesn't overcharge the battery in a single-battery set-up.

If your panel doesn't already have a regulator, we do not offer a universal regulator that will work with all applications. Unless you have the TorkLift # TLA7713 solar panel, we do not have a regulator for your solar panel.

Our 12V battery chargers, like the NOCO Genius # 329-GENIUS5 come with a pulse maintenance feature that prevents the charger from over-charging the battery. Your battery charger may already have a feature built in to prevent overcharging the battery. If it does not, we do not offer a regulator for this style charger either.

In order to avoid draining the vehicle battery, the easiest solution is to unplug the trailer connector from the vehicle when you are not towing the trailer. Additionally, disconnecting the chargers from the battery when not in use will ensure the trailer's battery is not overcharged.