I like to put a breakaway kit on my trailer.

Anyone have a good setup there happy with? Brand/Type?

Thanks, John

 

Someone may come in here and correct me, but I think;

The batteries can charge from the alternator at an unlimited amperage. Use a small AC-DC charger if you charge it that way. Could be better to charge the batteries at a lower amperage from the alternator, but I dont know where that would make a huge difference... It is basically a lawn tractor battery that operates the breakaway system...

I have never seen where the brakeaway switch will harm the brake controller; you may want to contact the manufacturer of your brake controller to see if that applies in your specific case (report back and tell what you find out)

I know on the trailers I have seen, the battery is charged directly from the alternator. That is how they were factory... I do not test the breakaway with the harness plugged in, so I cannot speak on that one....

Best of luck.

 

There you go then... Good to know. I wont pull the tab on the brakeaway switch with the controller plugged in..... As far as a charger... not really sure why i dont have one of those

 

Hmmm,

I just have a little box on my cargo trailer for the breakaway battery, I just assumed it charges off the truck. It is so small I did not realize it was a batter untill I call, the mfg, Interstate.

Davey

 

Some Breakaway batteries are charged from the charging circut(maybe I don't know what I'm talking about need to do some research on it). Some not! They are usually gell cells. I use a "batterytender" for my flatbed and the horsetrailer(newer model) charges off the truck system. I bet some of the RV sites will sell them.

 

So, how do you test a breakaway switch ?/ I thought it was a 1 use item.

And how do you check the battery?

Mine appears that to test it, I would have to remove it from the trailer, as the bolts that hold the case together also hold it to the trailer.

 

Test the switch by unplugging the electrical trailer plug, then pull the plunger out while moving forward slowly with the truck. If the truck stops, it works. You just push the pin back into the slot to reset. The rotten thing is when some yoyo pulls that pin while you are hooked up and inside the diner having lunch. He just blew your Prodigy and possibly pulled your battery down to zero if you ate a lot.

 

Hit up any motorcycle shop and pick up a Deltrans battery tender Jr.$29.95 They charge at .750 amps,have a charge/maint system. Ive been using the same one on 3 different bikes and the trailer battery for years with no problems.

 

I got this one:


off ebay for $40.

It charges the battery once hooked to the tow rig, and has a nifty little led push to test thing to tell you if the battery is good.

 

I have a teckonsha brake controller have had mine pulle while hooked to truck and never had a problem with the controller musta got lucky though

 

Bob, that is why you run the cable through the links in the chain and hide the switch under the tongue of the trailer where its out of sight out of mind..... and if someone climbs into the bed of your truck i would hope they would have something more to think about than that.....

 

I hooked mine right up to my 5er batterys. don't have to worry about charging it as the pickup charges the main batterys as i drive. has worked great for years. just something to think about.