Dump trailer battery charging

[Captainding]

I have a 7x14 dump trailer with hydraulic dump and am currently pulling it with an F250SD but soon to be replaced with a 05 F350 SD in the next couple weeks. I am wondering if it is possible to charge my dump battery from my 7 pin connector while towing or do I have to just continue to charge the battery from a household charger? Any help would be great...Thanks

 

[rozett]

I have a 6x12 12,000 pound dump towed with a '00 Ford Excursion. While I thought about charging via the connector, I chose to buy a small encapsolated battery charger that I strapped right to the side of the battery with the plug hanging down. Now I don't need to lift the bed to charge.

If you are going to go ahead with charging through the connector, here's a link to the connector pinouts.

 

[GATC35]

Yes, your truck can charge the trailer battery. This is a very common set up on travel trailers. On the Ford F-250/350's you will need to install a aux. relay in the fuse panel under your hood. I have my equipment trailer set up this way. If you need more info shoot me a PM.

 

[DDT]

I have use a #4 welding cable from the truck battery to the trailer battery. I got a connection at the auto parts that are for eletric pallet jacks batterys. I use this at the bumper for quick hook up. I have used it for 5 years and still works great.

 

[Panache]

I am in the process of modifying my dumptrailer to charge off the connector. My trailer has an on-off master switch. I am putting a relay in the line that opens the line to the truck when the master switch is in the on position. This will keep the drain off the truck batteries when dumping.

 

[DDT]

OK I leave my truck running when dumping so I have 3 batterys power going into it. My dodge has a cummins engine, with two batterys and one at the trailer. I very rarly charge the trailer battery. maybe once a year in the winter after it sets for a long time.

 

[GATC35]

Panache,

The POS (+) pin of the 7 pin connector will only be powered when the ignition switch is in the RUN position on a F-150, F-250 or F-350. The truck should be running charging the battery with the switch in the RUN position. So it will never drain your battery. It is mainly designed this way because electrical sytems on travel trailers can completely deplete your truck battery. Of course your master switch is not hurting anything.

I own 3 Ford trucks, a travel trailer, equipment trailer and lots of other junk. I love to tinker with all the electrical stuff. If you have a question shoot me a PM and I will try to help.

What part of "Bama" are you in ? I grew up in Huntsville, and spent several years in Ozark.

 

[btolle]

You can buy a battery isolator at NAPA for about $35 (95 amp version) that will allow the batteries on the trailer to be charged but will not allow the trailer to draw current from the truck battery. These are use on motorhomes to keep the "house" batteries from draining the starting battery. Eliminates the need to flip a switch and will also save your bacon when you forget to flip the switch.
NAPA battery isolator

Bill Tolle

 

[FL_Cracker]

The battery isolator servers as a clearing house for all your batteries. Not only does is it keep the trailer battery from draining the truck battery but it also keeps the alternator from over charging any of the batteries that are not in need of a charge. The 7 way trailer connector at the back of your truck is not an isolated circuit but rather a 12volt hot to run lights and accessories in the trailer. You would want to install a battery isolator to protect your batteries. Here's the problem, if one battery is very low then the alternator will begin to charge everything connected to it. So while your alternator is charging your dump trailer battery, it is boiling(over charging) your truck battery. The isolator will handle this condition and only charge the low battery. You should be able to get some good information from you local trailer dealer or auto electric shop.