What Gauge Wire and Fuse Should be Used to Install Bulldog A-Frame Trailer Jack BD500187

Updated 11/22/2017 | Published 11/21/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Bulldog Powered Drive Trailer Jack - Drop Leg - A-Frame - 22" Lift - 3,500 lbs - Black

(480)

$324.03

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(104)

$1.75

12 Gauge Wire - Black Primary - Per Foot

(30)

$1.45

Pollak Heavy-Duty Toggle Switch - SPST- On-Off - 12V DC - 50 Amp - 1" Handle

(23)

$9.17

Question:

What type of toggle switch should i use between my travel trailers battery and the electric jack so the power can be switched on and off when not in use

asked by: Travis

Expert Reply:

When wiring up the Bulldog A-frame trailer jack # BD500187 you can use 12 gauge wire such as # 12-1-1 (sold by the foot) as long as the distance from the jack to the battery is less than 20 feet. I am assuming that the battery is located at the front of the trailer near the jack so that shouldn't be a problem.

You could use a larger gauge wire such as # 10-1-1 (also sold by the foot) but it is up to you.

An inline fuse is not needed because the jack has an internal self-resetting circuit breaker. But if you wanted to add a fuse anyway use a 30 amp fuse. Under normal operation the jack uses about 15 amps but under stress it could pull up to 30 amps before the breaker trips.

expert reply by: Michael H

Travis

11/21/2017

What type of toggle switch should i use between my travel trailers battery and the electric jack so the power can be switched on and off when not in use

Michael H.

11/22/2017

You would not need to install an on/off switch in line with the power wire on the jack. It won't be drawing any power unless it is running. But if you still want to install a switch anyway you can use # PK34212. The switch itself is rated for 50 amps so it is more than enough for the draw from this jack.