Powering Interior Trailer Lights With Generator

Updated 05/16/2019 | Published 05/13/2019

Question:

Hi our high school band program has a 24 ft cargo trailer with 7pin connector. We’d like to use a generator with built in 8amp dc inverter to power 12v lights in the trailer interior cargo lights not running or brake lights. Can I just splice a dc plug into the main 12v power and ground cables in 7 pin connector to achieve this?

asked by: Greg

Expert Reply:

You may splice your generator into the main 12V power and ground from the trailer's 7 pin connector to power the interior lights if you use an inline fuse like part # SWC9538 and fuse part # C58450-1 between the 7-pin 12V wiring and the generator 12V outlet. I recommend to wire in the power and ground to the Optronics 12V DC power plug part # A-200 to plug into the generator. The Optronics plug is rated for 12 amps. You want to use an inline fuse because if the wiring shorts out it can back feed into the generator and blow a fuse in the generator or fry the wiring in the 12V plug.

If you need a generator I recommend the etrailer.com generator part # 333-0003 that features a 12V plug outlet and an electric remote start. It also has built in safety features to prevent overload. The generator is designed with a 12V 8.3-Amp outlet.

expert reply by: Heather A