Dump trailer charger

[Monster5601]

I'm looking for an on board battery charger to use on the deep cycle battery in my new dump trailer. I want on that is waterproof and permanent install so I can just open the cover and plug in the cord. Any suggestions? I see some that are 4 amp and one that is 10 amp.

I recently purchased a Big Tex dump trailer, it came with a deep cycle battery and an onboard marine 5 amp waterproof charger that offers automatic multi-stage charging and also maintains the battery with a maintenance mode.

It is this one;
ProMar 1 - 5 Amp Single | ProMariner

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I have a "smart" 4amp charger/maintainer from Lowe's that has been attached to the deep cycle in the box for 7years.

CADplans,
I think you may have a problem with your battery or charging system. I use my dump behind my tractor extensively. On a longer day I probably do 20 power up/down cycles at just under max lift (I've gotten pretty good a judging the max load... For loam it's between 4 and 5 yards depending on the moisture content and considerably more than 5000lbs.)

After a long day or 4-5 shorter days of use I plug it in over night. Most of the time it is not plugged in (except in the winter when I remove the battery and keep it on the charger/maintainer.

My point is, if I am reading you post right (#3), you should be getting a lot more out of your battery. I know you are not new to your dump trailer and have probably already looked into this but wanted to give you a heads up just in case you hadn't. :drink:

 

[plowhog]

I put a trickle charger in my battery box and connected the clamp on leads to the battery. I left the AC plug routed outside the box. My plan was to plug it into AC power when needed, so it was already hooked up and ready to go. What I found is that the battery charger depleted the battery if it was not plugged into AC power.

 

[1stDeuce]

For best battery life, I would suggest that you really need to have it charging off the truck. This will help keep charge the battery between dumps, which keeps it from getting low.

For storage, if you park the trailer under cover, then a plug in unit that is advertised as a charger/maintainer is needed. There are many to choose from, and I can't recommend one over another. They will not be high amperage, and will take a week or more to charge a battery that's been run down, which is why getting power from the truck while the trailer is in use is important.

If you park the trailer outside and in a place that gets some sun, then I'd suggest you can't go wrong with a small solar panel mounted on the tool box. A 10W panel should do the job even if it only gets sun a few hours a day. A larger panel will charge it faster, but you would want to be sure to put a small charge controller on it so you don't overcharge the battery if it gets a lot of sun all the time. I have a 5w panel wired direct through a diode on my fire trailer, and it maintains the battery well without cooking the battery.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

. They will not be high amperage, and will take a week or more to charge a battery that's been run down, which is why getting power from the truck while... .

Just another experience: my charger/maintainer will charge my deep cycle overnight from a fairly depleted charge. The lowest I can remember seeing where I checked it the next morning was something like 20% (charge remaining as reported by the charger). I'm sure from 0% it a different story but I can tell the battery is performing worse once only 15-20% is left so it rarely gets below that.

Edit: My charger/maintainer is 3amps.

 

[Rara Avis]

I have these hooked up to all my trailers...
Pulse Tech 12v 5 Watt Solar Charger with Desulfator Controller | SP-5

And on my dump trailer I have one these units as well...in case we dumped too many loads that day...plug it in for the night...
Battery Charger 12 Volt "Built In"

 

[Code54]

I have one of these on my 12K dump trailer....
1.5 Amp Three Stage Onboard Battery Charger/Maintainer
Cost about $15 with the coupon and works great!! The truck charges the battery of course when I drive and when I park it I have an extension cord that I run to the trailer box where this charger is mounted. Never have any issues with the battery and have dumped 8-10 loads a in day and hooked it up over night and did the same the next day.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Leaning on my days as a motor home owner; these type applications need to have a battery isolator to keep the truck battery separate from a deep cycle(s) you would normally use for the trailor lift and/or breakaway system. See this site: True Smart Dual Battery Isolator (SBI) - 12 Volt Battery Isolator - Relay or Switch :
Good insurance to keep both batteries properly charged when connected to the truck and prevent back feed through the charging circuit.

Ron

 

[Ron50]

My dump trailer came with a 4 amp Genius charger/maintainer. It is water proof and doesn't need to be unplugged if you have to leave the trailer and want the battery to stay charged. It charges over night just fine and shows a green light in the morning. Surprise- Amazon has them.

 

[CrashmanS]

My dump trailer came with a 4 amp Genius charger/maintainer. It is water proof and doesn't need to be unplugged if you have to leave the trailer and want the battery to stay charged. It charges over night just fine and shows a green light in the morning. Surprise- Amazon has them.

Funny you should bring up that model. That is the one I purchased but I think it was the 7 amp model.