Best Way to Charge Trailer Battery Using Vehicle Battery
Question:
I have a cargo trailer that has Hopkins 20400 Engager. I want to add a marine battery for lights in cargo trailer. How can i while traveling charge my marine battery. Also if i add a ProMar1 DS Digital - 5 Amp or similar to the marine battery to charge when not in use will this cause a problem? Also, should i keep the Hopkins or remove it and use the marine battery? If so what would i need to purchase to replace the Hopkins technology that runs emergency braking system? Sorry for such a crazy questions.....
asked by: Michael
Helpful Expert Reply:
You will want to use a marine battery in addition to the Hopkins Engager # 20400 because you want a dedicated battery for your breakaway brake function. If your marine battery was depleted and the pin pulled for the breakaway system then this means your trailer brakes won't activate.
The ProMar1 DS Digital charges a battery when plugged into AC power (like a standard wall outlet) so you will need something different to charge while in transit. For that I recommend the Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger # 331-BCDC1225D which allows you to safely charge your battery bank to 100% whereas most other chargers will only reach about 80% capacity of the actual battery. Another perk to this system is that you can eventually add solar panels to the mix which might do a good job of working when the trailer is parked instead of plugging into a socket.
You will need some additional parts to properly install the BCDC charger, all of which can be found in the kit # e79ZR on our site. I have attached a video of the BCDC being installed on a trailer for you to check out.
Products Referenced in This Question
Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger - Dual Input - DC to DC - 12V/24V - 25 Amp
- Battery Charger
- Battery Charger
- RV/Camper
- Trailer
- 75 Ah
- 200 Ah
- Charges/Maintains
- DC to DC
- 12V
- Solar Panels to Auxiliary Battery
- Vehicle Battery to Auxiliary Battery
- Redarc
more information >
Trailer Installation Kit for Redarc BCDC - 25 Amp
- Accessories and Parts
- Battery Charger
- Battery Charger Install Kit
- etrailer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Hopkins Engager Trailer Breakaway Kit w/ Charger, LED Tester, Hardware, and 5 Ah Battery - Top Load
- Trailer Breakaway Kit
- Kit with Charger
- Top Load
- Single-axle
- Tandem-axle
- LED Tester
- Hopkins
more information >
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on Trailer Breakaway Kit
