Adding Interior Lights to Trailer and Keep Battery Charged

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Question:

Could you give a a step by step on the wire hookup? . I’m assuming that I will the wires about 12 inches back from the plug that goes to the back of my truck and hook up one wire to each prong on the junction box. So at this point I will have 2 wires on each prong one from the trailer to the junction box and one from the Jbox to the plug that goes to the truck. Ok so if that’s right so far now I would have to run some wire from the Knox to the new battery then to the switch then to the light then back to the battery. Could you just gone me the hook up instructions thanks

asked by: George

0

Expert Reply:

The best way to get interior lights in your trailer is to have a dedicated 12 volt battery, and battery box like # 329-HM318BKS mounted to the trailer. This gives you the power needed while you're not hooked to your truck.

For lights I recommend LEDs because they require much less power, and last longer than incandescent bulbs. Which lights I recommend depends on how many you want to add and the way you want to mount them. You'll need wire # 12-1-1 and ring terminals # 44-5310A for each light. For a switch you can use Pollak Heavy-Duty Toggle Switch # PK34571.

The new battery can be hooked into the 7 way on your trailer using a junction box # 38656, and then when you're hooked up it will provide a maintenance charge. This however will not completely charge a dead battery. If you plan on being unhooked for an extended period, or your trailer battery is depleted I recommend using a battery charger like CTEK MULTI US 7002 12-Volt Universal Battery Charger # CTEK56353.

I linked the parts mentioned above, a few videos as well as our selection of LED interior trailer lights for you to check out.

expert reply by: Robert C

0

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George D.

1/1/0001

Could you give a a step by step on the wire hookup? . I’m assuming that I will the wires about 12 inches back from the plug that goes to the back of my truck and hook up one wire to each prong on the junction box. So at this point I will have 2 wires on each prong one from the trailer to the junction box and one from the Jbox to the plug that goes to the truck. Ok so if that’s right so far now I would have to run some wire from the Knox to the new battery then to the switch then to the light then back to the battery. Could you just gone me the hook up instructions thanks

Reply

Robert C.

2/19/2020

I can definitely help you out with the wiring. There isn't a set of instructions since there are numerous ways to install the lights and battery and routing will be different on each trailer. You are correct, you mount your junction box towards the front of the trailer with 1 set of wires going to the plug (that hooks into your truck). The other set of wires (connected in the junction box) would go out to the corresponding lights, and brakes. Then you run a wire from the 12V pin in the junction box to the positive post on the new battery. The lights can be mounted and grounded to the trailer, and the power wire runs to the switch, and then from the switch to the 12V post in the junction box. I attached a photo of a trailer wiring diagram for you to reference.

Reply

Answer 1

The Buyers Products Trailer Wiring Junction Box #3375601101 referenced in your question measures 6.5 inches long, 3.21 inches wide, and 2.5 inches tall when the cover is installed. The mounting holes at each end are spaced apart 7.38 inches on…

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Answer 2

The best way to power the interior lights in your trailer is with its own independent battery. You will not want to use the breakaway battery. The breakaway battery is only designed to operate the breakaway and will drain extremely quickly,…

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Answer 3

Thank you for sending the photo! While I have a solution for you, the Blaylock Total-Encasement Coupler Lock, part #BLTL-23 will not work. I is designed to fit Bulldog Collar-Lok style couplers that use a 2-5/16" ball, like #BD028463 for…

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Answer 4

Between the Bulldog Collar-Lok Coupler w/ High-Profile Latch #BD028463 and the Bulldog Collar-Lok Coupler w/ Low-Profile Latch #BD028499 the high-profile latch will be easier to use. The size and design of the high-profile flip latch allows for…

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Answer 5

You could drill into the Bulldog #BD028463 and make it a bolt-on but that's not really ideal. We don't have the exact match in a bolt-on model. We do have part #BD44150WH301 for a bolt-on Bulldog coupler. It has a higher rating but the price…

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Answer 6

We definitely have some options available for your 2021 Audi Q8. With your trailer sitting right at 24 inches tall and the hitch sitting at 17 inches, I am going to suggest going with 7 inches of rise. The Curt Ball Mount for 2" Hitches #C45448…

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Answer 7

Trailer fenders are classified by the diameter of the trailer wheels they're compatible with. For instance, the #F008583 fender you referenced works with 13 inch diameter wheels. If you're unsure of the diameter of your wheels, the last two…

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Answer 8

The light that indicates that the 12 volt circuit is hot is normal and it will not drain the battery. Think of it as the battery having a really long positive terminal that just extends to the rear of the vehicle. If nothing is drawing power from it,…

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Answer 9

The only way you could power interior dome lights on a trailer without it being connected to a tow vehicle would be to power the lights with a battery like a breakaway battery. How you choose to wire up the batteries will in the end be up to you, but…

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Answer 10

Since the trailer connector on your 2013 Ford F-150 is no longer sending power to the turn signal circuits on your trailer you will need to replace fuse #73. This 20-amp fuse is located in the engine bay fuse box and is what sends power to the…

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Answer 11

Thanks for the pictures! Based on the weight of your 2008 Keystone Cougar 5th Wheel, you will want the item #LG-1 landing gear set. You are going to want to measure to be sure this is the right size for you. The two things you will want to measure…

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Answer 12

In order to charge an on-board trailer battery you'd need to have a seven way connection on both the vehicle and trailer, this would contain the necessary circuits to pass a charge from the vehicle battery to the trailer battery. If you don't…

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Adding Interior Lights to Trailer and Keep Battery Charged

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