breakaway battery
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
breakaway battery
Guys
I was looking over my setup here and I noticed that I need to charge my breakaway battery? I dont have the charger wired in. My tow place said that they can wire a 'trickle' charger? for an additional $80.00 Is this charger really necessary and if so, can I do it myself? Ive seen kits on the net that have the breakway switch battery and charger but I dont have a charger with my setup
I dont understand why they would put the switch and battery but no charger! How big is the charger anyhow? is it 12 volt? Is it inside that box with the battery? I dont want to go taking stuff apart here--ESPECIALLY on a NEW trailer! 
I was looking over my setup here and I noticed that I need to charge my breakaway battery? I dont have the charger wired in. My tow place said that they can wire a 'trickle' charger? for an additional $80.00 Is this charger really necessary and if so, can I do it myself? Ive seen kits on the net that have the breakway switch battery and charger but I dont have a charger with my setup
I dont understand why they would put the switch and battery but no charger! How big is the charger anyhow? is it 12 volt? Is it inside that box with the battery? I dont want to go taking stuff apart here--ESPECIALLY on a NEW trailer! 
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
breakaway battery
Hmm, I assume you are talking about the battery that powers the emergency brake feature on trailer brakes that applies power if your trailer gets disconnected from your truck during a tow.
Kind of odd, unless your trailer is a home brew(so who knows what ya got), most trailers with batteries will charge thru the electrical connection to the truck. If you have a travel trailer, it will also charge thru the AC converter.
If it is a home brew or for some strange reason you don't have a charge connection, then I guess you can wire one up easily enough. You can get the parts from most trailer supply stores and it shouldn't take much work. Only gotcha is whether the electrical system on the trailer is homebrewed and kludged up. If you have 12v power with enough current capacity at the connector you could be as simple as a heavy gauge wire to the battery or you mightneed a disconnect to prevent draining the truck battery when shut off.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Kind of odd, unless your trailer is a home brew(so who knows what ya got), most trailers with batteries will charge thru the electrical connection to the truck. If you have a travel trailer, it will also charge thru the AC converter.
If it is a home brew or for some strange reason you don't have a charge connection, then I guess you can wire one up easily enough. You can get the parts from most trailer supply stores and it shouldn't take much work. Only gotcha is whether the electrical system on the trailer is homebrewed and kludged up. If you have 12v power with enough current capacity at the connector you could be as simple as a heavy gauge wire to the battery or you mightneed a disconnect to prevent draining the truck battery when shut off.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
breakaway battery
The battery should charge while towing. The problem is, when you first tow in the Spring, after the trailer has been sitting for 3-4 months and not hooked up. I took my battery out and put it on my auto battery charger overnight, the put it back in my trailer.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
breakaway battery
I purchased a new trailer with a Tekonsha Break Away Kit. It didn't come with a charger and does not charge off the tow vehicle. The dealer just said to charge it once in a while (every couple months?) with a trickle charger to top it off. You really never use the battery so just make sure it's topped off every once and a while.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 84
From: Wake Forest, NC
breakaway battery
The small battery used for the breakaway should not be on a regular charging circuit as it is not normally drained. It should be checked regularly for operation, as well as the rest of the brakes by jacking up at least one brake operated wheel and spinning it and pulling the breakaway switch out, or by pulling the switch and trying to drag the trailer. This will check that the braked wheels work and that the breakaway battery circuit works. These batteries can be put on a house charger every now and then (maybe bi yearly?) to keep them up to snuff, but nothing should really be neccesary besides replacment every couple of years.
Remember, if you have a factory ford 7 pin trailer harness, you already have a switched 30 amp battery supply in the connector. The diagram on the cover will show you which one it is. However, you may need to add a relay to the fuse box under the hood to activate this circuit.
Chris
Remember, if you have a factory ford 7 pin trailer harness, you already have a switched 30 amp battery supply in the connector. The diagram on the cover will show you which one it is. However, you may need to add a relay to the fuse box under the hood to activate this circuit.
Chris
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
breakaway battery
I just checked my '03 X with the factory tow package. There is a 20 amp fuse (#115) and a 30 amp relay (#305) both labeled "battery charge tow" or something like that.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
breakaway battery
Guys
i just eyeballed the wiring more closely on my trailer. Seems like I dont have a charger hooked to breakaway circuit. I have 2 wires coming out of the breakaway--a blue and a white. The schematic shows the white as a ground and the blue goes to the brake controller. The installer DID put a 7 pin connector in. Basically, He tied it in with my existing 6 pin. I dont think that I am going to bother with a charger setup because I dont feel like ripping apart all the neat wiring just to find that 'switched' or 'auxillary' 12 V power suppy.!
Thanks again for all your help!
regards
Ben
i just eyeballed the wiring more closely on my trailer. Seems like I dont have a charger hooked to breakaway circuit. I have 2 wires coming out of the breakaway--a blue and a white. The schematic shows the white as a ground and the blue goes to the brake controller. The installer DID put a 7 pin connector in. Basically, He tied it in with my existing 6 pin. I dont think that I am going to bother with a charger setup because I dont feel like ripping apart all the neat wiring just to find that 'switched' or 'auxillary' 12 V power suppy.!
Thanks again for all your help!
regards
Ben
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
