Troubleshooting UPG Breakaway Kit To Allow Trailer Transport To Service Center

Updated 06/22/2020 | Published 08/17/2017

Question:

My positive terminal of my battery back up for the breakaway system rusted off and the lights and breaks wont work now. Can I bypass the battery so that the system will still operate and I can make it to the service center?

asked by: Neihl

Expert Reply:

You can get your trailer to a repair center without a breakaway battery working. You will just need to disconnect the power going to the switch for the pin prior to the pin. This will disengage your breakaway system until you can get it looked at. If there is still power going to your brakes, there is a short somewhere else in your system.

Another option is to get the kit and replace it yourself. If you just need a battery, I recommend the Breakaway Kit Replacement 12 V Battery # HM20008. If you want the entire kit, I recommend the Engager Trailer BreakAway Kit with Charger and Tester # 20099.

expert reply by: Jason S

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Thomas O.

6/14/2020

Why does the charging light stay on,even when not connected to tow vehicle?

Chris R.

6/18/2020

Do you by chance have a separate auxiliary battery in the trailer? If so, the breakaway battery could be pulling charge from it while disconnected from the tow vehicle. You'll want to add a diode in-line between the aux and breakaway battery. If this isn't the case let me know.

Thomas O.

6/18/2020

@ChrisR My trailer does not have any other battery system . This answer may aply to a RV trailer, I have a car trailer.

Chris R.

6/22/2020

@ThomasO Thanks for the info! You likely need to check the lid on your Engager. Sometimes water can get inside the unit and cause the charger to constantly try to pull power even when not hooked up to the tow vehicle.