Can LED Test Lights on Hopkins 7-Way RV Style Connector HM20087 Cause Battery Drain

Updated 08/21/2017 | Published 08/19/2017

Question:

I purchased the Led Test 7 Blade Molded Connector W/cable Trailer End - 8 Ftinch cable and just hooked it up. I ended up leaving the old cable a little too long on my last trip and rubbed all the cabling off dragging it on the ground by the time I got home. I made sure to check the wiring from the old cable that I took off to make sure the colors were the same they were so I replaced color for color at the junction box disconnecting the battery first, and then hooked it up to test it. It all worked great. I LOVE the lights at the end of the cable. And here is my question...... With the cable disconnected from the truck I see that the AUX light on the trailer cable is still lit. Do I need to keep the battery disconnected now or is that normal to see? I havent used a cable with the lights on it so I am not sure. I attached a picture of the cable end showing the AUX light lit. The end isnt connected to anything.

asked by: Daniel E

Expert Reply:

LED lights, including LED test lights that can be built into trailer wiring, use so very little power that you do not need to be concerned about depleting your battery. It would take many, many months of continuous draw (without ever running the truck to charge the battery) for such an item as the Hopkins 7-Way RV Style Connector # HM20087 to cause any issue with battery drain in your 2012 Ford F-150.

expert reply by: Adam R