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How to Power Interior Trailer Lights on a Trailer Not Powered by a Tow Vehicle  

Updated 02/20/2012 | Published 02/16/2012



Question:

I would like to turn my trailer into a showroom. It will not have power from a truck so I was thinking to hook it up to a battery. I would like a track lighting system with about 20 mr16 lights. It is a 24foot trailer. Is this possible or is there a better solution.

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Expert Reply:

First, you need to make sure that the lights you will be using are compatible with a 12 volt system because that is what a battery will produce. Since the trailer will not be connected to a tow vehicle for power, you can wire in the lights independently from a trailer connector.

What you will need to do is mount the lights and route the wiring to a switch, like # BL0108-00 if you want them to come on at the same time. You will need to make sure to ground the lights to the trailer frame. Then you will run a power wire from the positive battery terminal to the switch. Flipping the switch will turn on the lights. They will run off of the battery as long as the switch is on.

If you cannot find the right lights, I recommend using the # DG52641VP which you can direct to the desired location and put out the same 155 lumens you are seeking in the mr16 lights.

I also recommend a battery charger, # CTEK56353, to periodically charge the trailer battery. This unit is for battery charging only and should not be used to power the lights or when the lights are turned on.

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Michael H
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