Operation 12V Charge For Trailer Battery On Bravo Enclosed Trailer

Updated 06/27/2017 | Published 06/26/2017

Question:

I recently installed your Dexter electric brake kit on my Bravo 6X12 enclosed trailer. For the battery charging circuit, I found the relay and fuse in the engine compartment of the 2014 F150 were not installed.Relay #9, Fuse #21 I installed both and now have power to the battery only while the vehicle is on. My concern now is when I tow my camper will this cause any issues. The camper is usually connected to 110v so the battery should be close to fully charged. Any issues I may have not thought of? Also curious as to why the relay and fuse were never installed. The F150 is listed as having a tow package installed. Thanks

asked by: Frank B

Expert Reply:

On your 2014 Ford F-150 the wiring is there as well as the connections, so they call it a tow package. There are rare times that they don't put in all the relays and fuses like in your case, but that is not common. The way that your system is wired for the battery to charge while the vehicle is on is really nice. This makes it so that if you leave your vehicle connected to your trailer, the trailer battery won't draw from the vehicle start battery so you end up with a non-running vehicle because there isn't enough power to turn the engine over.

The battery of your trailer will only be charged when connected to 110V power if you have a battery charger/maintainer connected to it. If you have a maintenance charge while plugged into 110V that is not a problem. Your truck will only send a maintenance charge to your battery when connected. It is not enough power to overcharge it, so as long as your 110V charge if you have it is a maintainer/tender you will be fine.

expert reply by: Jason S