Options for Charging Trailer Battery and Winch Setup

Updated 06/10/2022 | Published 06/09/2022

Products Featured in This Question

CTEK US 0.8 Universal Battery Charger with Pulse Maintenance - Small 12-Volt Batteries

(14)

$61.99

Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Trailer Battery Charger - Single Input - DC to DC - 12V/24V - 12 Amp

(23)

$345.00

Redarc Solar Expansion Kit - 120 Watt Solar Panel

(3)

$385.00

Question:

Good afternoon, I am inquiring about wiring a tow vehicle to an enclosed trailer with a battery and winch on board. Have read over your notes but would like a little more detail. do not see the second page for option 2

asked by: Randy P

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you're looking for the "Option 2" method for wiring your winch and battery on a trailer in the attached helpful article.

Basically if you're looking to have it setup as a standalone system then you'll wire the winch to your battery and then use a separate charger like the CTEK US 0.8 Charger # CTEK56865 to charge the battery when you have the trailer parked next to AC power.

The alternative is to charge the trailer battery from the battery/alternator on your tow vehicle. This requires something a little different like the Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger # RED96FR, but it will be able to completely charge up your trailer battery any time you're connected to your tow vehicle, and if you install the BCDC on your trailer you can add a solar panel like part # RED96VR to trickle charge the battery. The beauty of this is you can charge the trailer battery with the tow vehicle using the Redarc and then when your trailer is parked in storage you could have the CTEK hooked up to it to keep it maintained if you'd rather not use the solar panel.

expert reply by: Jon G