DC Power Battery Charger for Maintaining Service Battery on Dump Trailer

Updated 04/09/2018 | Published 04/06/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Deka Battery Isolator Installation Kit for Standard Alternators - 8 Gauge Wire

(2)

$34.35

Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger - Dual Input - DC to DC - 12V/24V - 40 Amp

(87)

$620.00

Question:

can I or how do i use the alternator 1971 chevy C-20, 3/4 ton pick-up to keep the dump trailers battery charged when in use. after reading some of these faq, i need an battery isolator, install kit, and it wired right , then i should be good? but which isolator? and dose it matter should the isolator stay on the truck or with the Dump Trailer other vehicles may tow it as well?

asked by: Aron P

Expert Reply:

For charging a dump trailer's on-board battery each of the vehicles towing it needs to have a fully-functioning 7-way trailer connector. The 7-way includes an auxiliary 12V power circuit that is carried on the pin at the 1:00 position as you view the socket (please see the linked photo). This circuit can deliver trickle-charge power to the trailer battery, but to keep it fully charged you will want to install a heavy-duty DC to DC charger like # 331-BCDC1240D that takes in that same 12V power and regulates it to effectively charge the service battery on the trailer.

You would need an isolator only on the vehicles whose 7-way power circuit stays hot even with the key off. If the key controls the 7-way power circuit no isolator will be needed.

expert reply by: Adam R