Powering Interior Lights of Enclosed Trailer With 12 Volt Battery

Updated 02/19/2020 | Published 02/18/2020

Products Featured in This Question

TorkLift PowerArmor Locking Battery Box - 6V and 12V Batteries - Diamond Plate Aluminum

(285)

$421.47

12 Gauge Wire - Black Primary - Per Foot

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$2.03

Trailer Wiring Junction Box

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$33.48

Ring Terminal - 12-10 Gauge Wire - 3/16" Ring ID

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$1.20

CTEK MULTI US 7002 12-Volt Universal Battery Charger w/ Pulse Maintenance and Backup Power

(99)

$199.99

Pollak Universal-Design Rocker Switch - SPST - On-Off - 12 Volt - 20 Amp - Black

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$12.99

Question:

I have an enclosed trailer with interior lights. These lights are powered when plugged into a vehicle. There are times when I need the interior lights to work and I dont have a vehicle to plug the 7 way trailer plug into. Is there a way and what would l need to just run the interior lights on a stand alone generator? Can some one do it for me its too complicated for me to do it

asked by: Chapelle B

Expert Reply:

There is a simpler way than a generator, as this would be difficult, and most generators that have a 12 volt outlet require that only to be used for battery charging. So I recommend a standalone battery on your enclosed trailer, and I'm sure you can find somebody to do it for you, yes. You'll need to utilize local resources though to find someone such as a local handyman possibly or some other individual comfortable with wiring.

What you'll do is use a 12 volt battery mounted on the trailer. To do this, mount the battery with Battery Box # TLA7708R and use junction box # 38656 to tap into your 7-way so the battery gets a maintenance charge when you are hooked up to the 7-way. Hooking up the junction box will require ring terminals # 44-5310A, and wire # 12-1-1 to run to each light, and you can use rocker switch # PK34308 to turn them on and off.

This is the same way as someone would normally do it, but what you are going to want to do is use two batteries in the battery box if you need a lot of amp hours and then you will need to charge them with the CTEK MULTI US 7002 12-Volt Universal Battery Charger with Pulse Maintenance and Backup Power # CTEK56353.

I have added links to a couple video reviews for you to check out as well.