How do you keep the trailer backup battery charged. (or do you)

[ljjhouser]

Like most people here, over the years, I have had several trailers. Some have proven to be good and some have not. But every trailer that has had a backup brake battery has been a problem. Every battery has gone bad. Every year. So before long, I quit checking it. I live in Missouri which requires a backup battery to last enough to apply brakes on both axles for 15 minutes.

When I bought my new Kubota tractor in 2017, I also bought a new trailer. Best trailer so far. But hauling heavier equipment really makes you want to comply with all the laws. That meant I had to do something about the battery.

My new trailer also had one of those new worthless little weenie batteries. It went bad the first summer. I threw that thing away. Then I did the following.

• I purchased an AGM battery from Menards. Cost $80
• I purchased a small pelican case to hold new battery and charger/maintainer. $60
• I put both in the Pelican case and wired the battery to the original box connections.
• I used Anderson Connectors in case I needed to disconnect any part.
• I purchased a MPPT solar controller, Victron 75 watt. $120
• I purchased a solar panel, SunPower Flex, 50 watt. $110
• Wired it to the controller – 3 connections, battery, solar, and load. The load terminal is used to power the GSP unit.
• The battery maintainer is if I want to charge via 120v extension cord. But I have never used it yet.

I have used this system for 4 years. NOW THE QUESTION – I have not seen any trailer using solar. How many of you guys do something like this, and If not, how to you manage that stupid little worthless battery?

 

[RickB]

Use your trailer more than once a year. Problem solved.

 

[4570Man]

I don’t use backup batteries. My dump trailer is another set of problems. I’m ready to jerk it out and Honda transplant it.

 

[AWSubie]

I just charge the battery when I need it or replace if necessary. I freely admit negligence regarding the backup battery. I am far more conscientious when it comes to my safety chains.

In my mind the chains are “an ounce of prevention”, and if some event occurs where the chains come into play and they fail; then I’m having a really bad day.

 

[jaxs]

We are not talking about a dump trailer here so "that stupid little worthless battery" is ample as long as it take's and hold's charge. I suspect your past batteries were short lived due to being in some state of discharge most of the time. The only thing that kill's batteries worse than sitting partly charged is quick charging them. Sound's like you have taken care of that with new chargers and maintainer so I'm betting your batteries going foward will last much longer. I own 3 Deltran Battery Tenders that stay connected to something all the time and my batteries last twice warranty period on average. I am 100% convinced even the battery on a daily driver benifit's from occasionally spending time on a high quility maintainer to de-sulfate.
So I handle all batteries thusly. No delay between partial discharge and recharge on things such as trolling motor,dump trailer,golf cart,fence charger and others without dependiable charging system. Avoid quick charge like the plague. All batteries spend time on maintainer.

 

[Hay Dude]

In my 30+ years I have only replaced ONE brake emergency battery. I’m hooked up weekly. You sure you didn’t partially pull out your break away cable and let the battery engage your brakes?

Now y’all are gonna think this is crazy, but I do NOT like solar battery tenders. Although low wattage, I think they ruin batteries as much as they help them.
Yep, call it crazy, but I’ve owned a lot of trailer and never used any type of battery tender. Even after months of sitting, never had a problem

 

[timswi]

In my 30+ years I have only replaced ONE brake emergency battery. I’m hooked up weekly. You sure you didn’t partially pull out your break away cable and let the battery engage your brakes?

Now y’all are gonna think this is crazy, but I do NOT like solar battery tenders. Although low wattage, I think they ruin batteries as much as they help them.
Yep, call it crazy, but I’ve owned a lot of trailer and never used any type of battery tender. Even after months of sitting, never had a problem

Agreed, My battery is still good after 10 years. Every year it's tested during state inspection where they test the breakaway. My trailer gets used at least weekly though.

 

[jaxs]

I wouldn't call anyone crazy because of how they treat their batteries. I didn't call the guy crazy that claimed to have poured snake oil in crankcase and driven a car 250,000 miles without as much as checking oil,much less changing it but i wouldn't be following his example.

 

[TractorGuy]

Been using a 30W panel on a lawn tractor battery for my gate opener for many years. I get right at 5 years on the battery that would otherwise only last a couple. As long as you have a good quality charge controller they definitely extend the life of a battery. I hook that one right into the solar panel input on the Mighty Mule controller.

I have a couple panels on top of my barn. One 30W panel is running through a Battery Tender brand controller into another lawn tractor battery. I've been having to replace that one every 5 years as well.

I also have a 100W panel running through a generic controller into a group 27 battery that is 7 years old and holding a charge.

Those little 7 AH AGM batteries never last much over a year but I have never tried to keep one on a solar maintainer either.

 

[RickB]

Like most people here, over the years, I have had several trailers. Some have proven to be good and some have not. But every trailer that has had a backup brake battery has been a problem. Every battery has gone bad. Every year. So before long, I quit checking it. I live in Missouri which requires a backup battery to last enough to apply brakes on both axles for 15 minutes.

When I bought my new Kubota tractor in 2017, I also bought a new trailer. Best trailer so far. But hauling heavier equipment really makes you want to comply with all the laws. That meant I had to do something about the battery.

My new trailer also had one of those new worthless little weenie batteries. It went bad the first summer. I threw that thing away. Then I did the following.

• I purchased an AGM battery from Menards. Cost $80
• I purchased a small pelican case to hold new battery and charger/maintainer. $60
• I put both in the Pelican case and wired the battery to the original box connections.
• I used Anderson Connectors in case I needed to disconnect any part.
• I purchased a MPPT solar controller, Victron 75 watt. $120
• I purchased a solar panel, SunPower Flex, 50 watt. $110
• Wired it to the controller – 3 connections, battery, solar, and load. The load terminal is used to power the GSP unit.
• The battery maintainer is if I want to charge via 120v extension cord. But I have never used it yet.

I have used this system for 4 years. NOW THE QUESTION – I have not seen any trailer using solar. How many of you guys do something like this, and If not, how to you manage that stupid little worthless battery?

So essentially you spent $400 to prolong the life of a $17.50 battery.