Powering Enclosed Trailer Interior Lights From 12V Battery

Updated 03/28/2017 | Published 03/25/2017

Products Featured in This Question

CTEK MULTI US 7002 12-Volt Universal Battery Charger w/ Pulse Maintenance and Backup Power

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$199.99

Question:

HI, I am seeing questions with similar answers but not exactly what I need to know. I have an enclosed trailer with two ceiling lights already installed, they run through a switch on the wall. Can I wire a 12v battery directly into the existing switch, positive to positive and negative to ground on the trailer frame? or negative to the other side of the switch which likely grounds already? Thanks,

asked by: Neil S

Expert Reply:

Yes, you can power your enclosed trailer's interior lights with a dedicated trailer-mounted battery.

For such an application high-efficiency LED-type lighting is ideal since these will draw only a small fraction of the power required by standard incandescent bulbs. As a natural outcome of their efficiency LEDs also produce less heat, which may be a welcome benefit in summer months. A fully-charged 12V battery can power LED lights for many hours between charges but will also work fine for standard bulbs. A breakaway battery like # HM20008 would not be suitable; use a higher amp-hour-rated battery such as a lawn mower or car battery.

You can wire the battery ground either to the trailer frame or to the negative pole on the switch.

If you want a shore power battery charger for keeping the battery topped off when you're not travelling you might consider a unit like the CTEK # CTEK56353.

expert reply by: Adam R