Trouble Finding Source To Power 12 Volt Light on Enclosed Trailer

Updated 05/07/2024 | Published 05/05/2024

Question:

I purchased an enclosed trailer and I got the 30 amp setup with 20 amp lighting and it also has the 12 volt ceiling light. I cant for the life of me figure out where the wiring for the 12 volt light can be connected to an exterior battery. In other words I have a four prong hookup for the lighting on the trailer but it doesnt provide Power to that 12-volt light of course so if I want to hook that light up to a battery I have no idea where it runs to LOL is this a common thing that its somewhere that I just cant find it? Again I have a breaker box with a 20 amp and a 30 amp in it but I cant find a connection point for that 12 volt light. Any ideas?

asked by: Tina D

Expert Reply:

It sounds like your 12 volt light may have been wired to the trailers 7-way connection so the single 12 volt light would be able to have power when it is connected to a tow vehicle. It could also be connected to a breakaway battery located on the front of the trailer. This would be the only reason I would see someone having both 12 volt and 120 volt lights in a trailer. So they could have a single light powered from the truck when they are traveling between electrical connections.

expert reply by: Bud M

Tina

5/7/2024

It's a 8' trailer and the wiring harness only accommodates a 4 prong connector???? So it sounds like you're as baffled as I am. Okay thanks for your reply.

Bud M.

5/7/2024

@Tina That is baffling. Sorry for the confusion above, I guess I misunderstood when you mentioned the four prong hookup I was thinking of the 120 volt power going into the camper. You should have some wiring chase passages where the wiring is run which may help you to determine where the wiring for the light runs. They must have had a separate connector unless they somehow tied into the running light circuit on the 4-way which would be very odd.

Tina

5/7/2024

@BudM it's okay. I had a 30 amp box put in because I'm converting it into a mini camper and it has a 20 and 30 amp breaker. Yes I'm completely baffled and I'm trying to get an answer from the company but I'm not getting anywhere. I've looked underneath and everywhere I can think of and it just doesn't make sense to me. I would have thought there would be some kind of pigtail somewhere that I could connect the wires to a battery but I appreciate your response and I'm not sure what I'll do but at least I can hook it up to a landline and get lights :-)

Tina

5/7/2024

@BudM I thought you may want to see the reply that I just received. It's powered through the 4-way. But she has to have her running lights on on her vehicle in order for it to work. So I find that to be kind of odd because if I want to stop somewhere and use the 12 volt in the trailer I have to leave my running lights on lol I don't see how I could possibly connect it to a battery if it's connected straight into the four way. Oh well at least I received an answer and I just wanted to let you know so in the future maybe it would be useful for another customer that had a similar question :-) have a blessed day and thank you for your time.