Can a Horse Trailer be Converted to Run Off 12 Volt DC Power and 110 Volt AC Power

Updated 07/26/2018 | Published 07/25/2018

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Question:

My horse trailer is currently wired with a 7 pin connector with a standard basic trailer light configuration with 2 interior lights on switches. I would like to change all current lights to LED. I would like to add 4 LED exterior flood lights. I would also like to wire the trailer for 110v 30amp service so I am able to add a few outlets. How do I wire the trailer so that all lights work when plugged into the tow vehicle 2017 Tundra, and interior lights, exterior flood lights and outlets work while plugged into 110v 30amp service? Can this be done without adding an extra battery to the trailer? Is there a type of converter from 110v AC to 12v DC?

asked by: Ronald R

Expert Reply:

The biggest hurdle to overcome is having the trailer lights run off of 12 volt DC and 110 AC power. On a trailer that was not set up for this from the factory that means you would have to have a transfer switch installed and the associated wiring and electrical devices for it to be functional. In a nutshell retrofitting a trailer with a transfer switch is a task best left to professionals who work on trailers and RVs.

The easy way to get AC power on the trailer is to use a power inverter such as # WC3720. This inverter would connect to a 12 volt DC battery and provide 3 AC outlets. It isn't exactly the same as a transfer switch (since that would allow you to connect AC power to the trailer rather than the trailer producing it itself) but it definitely an easier, less expensive option.

As far as the LED lights go we have a lot of options. Since I do not know what all lights you will need I have linked all of the LED light options available. Flood lights, such as # TLL60FB, will be located in the utility lights section in the link. Provided that the lights are wired to the 12 volt circuit from the 7-Way they will come on when the trailer is connected to the truck. Otherwise you would run them off of a battery on the trailer and have the 12 volt circuit run to the battery to provide a maintenance charge.

expert reply by: Michael H