Best Way to Power Lights in Enclosed Trailer

Updated 02/09/2021 | Published 02/05/2021

Products Featured in This Question

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12 Gauge Wire - Black Primary - Per Foot

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Optronics 12V RV Dome Light - Single - 6-3/4" Long x 4-1/4" Wide - White

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Question:

Hello, Im looking for some guidance for interior trailer lighting. Its not something Im very familiar with. Im building a mobile showroom, itll have cabinets on all sides and Im needing lighting down the center on the ceiling and Id like to put some strips inside the front of the cabinets. Its an 8.5x20, with a 7-way. Whats the best way to wire all this up? Extra battery, fuse block, what guage wire, which lights, dimmer switch, etc...? Thanks

asked by: Brian K

Expert Reply:

Ok, we can give you some guidance on this, and the best way to power up interior lights in your enclosed trailer is with an independent 12 volt battery mounted directly on the trailer.

To do this, mount the battery with Battery Box # TLA7708R and use a junction box like # 38656 to tap into your 7-way so the battery gets a maintenance charge when you are hooked up to the 7-way. If you need to hook up your junction box it will require ring terminals # 44-5310A, and 12 gauge wire # 12-1-1 to run to each light, and you can use a rocker switch like # PK34308 or Dimmer Rocker Switch # 37212275 to turn them on and off. I have added a link to our entire selection of rocker switches so you can find the best one for your application.

Keep in mind your 7-way will provide a maintenance charge, but in order to fully charge the battery when it is depleted you will need a standalone battery charger, the CTEK 12-Volt Universal Battery Charger # CTEK56353.

In regards to lights, that would be totally up to you as there are many, many different types of styles of lights, like the RV Interior Dome Light with Built-In Switch - Incandescent # RVIL21 or the Opti-Brite LED Interior Strip Light # ILL70CB.

So there are really a ton of choices for you, and I have added a link below to our entire selection of interior trailer lights to check out so you can find the style you are looking for.