Aux Power Option
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 797
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From: Wickenburg, AZ
Joe's got it down pat. It's a 12 volt supply that can be used for anything on the trailer other than safety lights or electric brakes.
The most common use for it is to charge batteries. It does this by making a connection between the batteries in your trailer and the battery/ies in your truck. The truck's alternator will be more than happy to charge every battery on the system to full charge.
The most common use for it is to charge batteries. It does this by making a connection between the batteries in your trailer and the battery/ies in your truck. The truck's alternator will be more than happy to charge every battery on the system to full charge.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Aurora,CO
Not sure that would be wise Buddy...It's not a very big wire, and the winch would pull huge amps! It could be used to charge a seperate battery on the trailer that runs the winch for short periods.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 851
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From: N. Georgia
Originally Posted by Medic 66
So....it could power a winch?
Joe
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 797
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From: Wickenburg, AZ
The circuit is fused for 20 Amps.
I take it this is a winch on a trailer? I'm with bneafus on that. I'd spec a nice big battery to do that job, probably a Deep Cycle so you can maximize the amount of time the winch can run for. Then, you can connect the battery on the trailer up to that battery charge circuit on the truck. You can do your winching, and then when you drive away the truck will top off your trailer battery for you.
If you're putting in a winch, be sure to read over the install sheet and make sure that you're wiring it up with cables that meet their specifications. These things require pretty good sized cable.
I take it this is a winch on a trailer? I'm with bneafus on that. I'd spec a nice big battery to do that job, probably a Deep Cycle so you can maximize the amount of time the winch can run for. Then, you can connect the battery on the trailer up to that battery charge circuit on the truck. You can do your winching, and then when you drive away the truck will top off your trailer battery for you.
If you're putting in a winch, be sure to read over the install sheet and make sure that you're wiring it up with cables that meet their specifications. These things require pretty good sized cable.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 543
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From: Northern VA
Hey, guys. I, too am getting ready to mount a winch onto a trailer behind my F-150 (05 FX4 SC). I am using the 7-pin connector for an 18' flat open car trailer w/electric brakes. I just purchased a M8000 Warn winch with mounting plate. I was thinking I could run this through the spare wire, but now realize that I can't. Warn makes a kit (long, heavy gauge wires with a quick-disconnect) that I was considering. My trailer has a small battery that it uses for the break-away brakes.
What would be the pros and cons of adding a battery to the trailer (assuming the breakaway battery can't handle the winch) vs just running the wires straight to my truck battery?
I use the trailer about twice a month for towing. I probably won't use the winch more than once a month at most. I haul a racecar with the trailer in NASA's American Iron Series.
I've never installed a winch before, but I'm a pretty competent DIY'er.
Thanks!
What would be the pros and cons of adding a battery to the trailer (assuming the breakaway battery can't handle the winch) vs just running the wires straight to my truck battery?
I use the trailer about twice a month for towing. I probably won't use the winch more than once a month at most. I haul a racecar with the trailer in NASA's American Iron Series.
I've never installed a winch before, but I'm a pretty competent DIY'er.
Thanks!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 797
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From: Wickenburg, AZ
If it's like most breakaway batteries I've seen, I doubt it will be able to handle the power demand of a winch.
Adding a bigger battery to the trailer has pros and cons. The big plus is that you'll have a decent sized power source on the trailer to run electrical accessories. It will also be able to replace your breakaway battery. A con would be that you will increase the weight of the trailer by a bit, and I imagine the only place you'll have to put that battery will be on the transom so it'll be tongue weight. Another problem is that you'll have to divise a way to anchor the battery safely, as it probably won't fit in the battery box they have for the breakaway battery.
Adding a bigger battery to the trailer has pros and cons. The big plus is that you'll have a decent sized power source on the trailer to run electrical accessories. It will also be able to replace your breakaway battery. A con would be that you will increase the weight of the trailer by a bit, and I imagine the only place you'll have to put that battery will be on the transom so it'll be tongue weight. Another problem is that you'll have to divise a way to anchor the battery safely, as it probably won't fit in the battery box they have for the breakaway battery.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 543
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From: Northern VA
Help with Flatbed Trailer Winch Install
Anchoring the battery and weight wouldn't concern me. I have a tool box on the tongue of the trailer. The breakaway battery is small. It's in a box that's about 4x4x4".
I'm looking for simplest installation that will do the job safely.
I guess my two options are:
1. Run heavy gauge wires to my battery and then run them with a quick disconnect straight to the winch on the trailer.
2. Run heavy gauge wires to my battery and then run them to a deep cycle battery mounted on the trailer (in the tool box) with a quick disconnect straight to the winch on the trailer.
Is that about it? I don't really think I need the battery for anything else. Although, that could change down the road. Also, given that the wiring requirements are basically the same, I could easily add the deep cycle second batter later, right?
I'm looking for simplest installation that will do the job safely.
I guess my two options are:
1. Run heavy gauge wires to my battery and then run them with a quick disconnect straight to the winch on the trailer.
2. Run heavy gauge wires to my battery and then run them to a deep cycle battery mounted on the trailer (in the tool box) with a quick disconnect straight to the winch on the trailer.
Is that about it? I don't really think I need the battery for anything else. Although, that could change down the road. Also, given that the wiring requirements are basically the same, I could easily add the deep cycle second batter later, right?