Installing Battery Isolation Solenoid For Trailer Battery In 2001 Dodge RAM 2500

Updated 02/15/2017 | Published 02/14/2017

Question:

I am confused about if/how/where to install part #PK5231201. I am adding an Auxilliary Battery to my gooseneck horse trailer. I have this wired into the power feed from the 7 way connector on the trailer pigtail which connects to the truck. I assume that the truck will maintain not really charge the trailer battery when the lead is connected. I have a battery charger mounted on the trailer to re-charge and condition the battery as necessary. I am concerned about any issues/conflicts with the Truck battery when the trailer is connected, and particularly if the Truck is not running. I do not understand where to connect the Isolation Solenoid on this truck 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 and where to find the power feed to the trailer harness and an ignition source. Can you help? Thanks,

asked by: Chris O

Expert Reply:

The Battery Isolation Solenoid # PK5231201 can be used to protect your vehicle battery. The battery gets connected to one side, the accessory/ignition gets connected to the middle and the other side gets connected to your trailer battery. You can connect this solenoid anywhere you want in that system. The mount is the ground, so you want a clean connection to metal there, but you can use whatever wire you want to connect to your accessory/ignition to ensure that your vehicle battery won't get drained when there is no power to that terminal.

Many people will run it under the hood of their truck and connect the accessory to their ignition and the output to the battery being the 12V power run to the trailer hitch wiring connection.

expert reply by: Jason S