What is the battery for on a trailer with brakes?
They are the ultimate emergency brake. It does this by activating the electric brakes on the trailer. The only catch is, for this to happen you must have fully operational electric brakes. The 12-volt battery must be charged and the switch cable attached to the vehicle for the system to operate properly.
Does a trailer breakaway switch need a battery?
The breakaway switch should be wired to a separate battery. Most Breakaway switches come with their own battery and some come with a battery charger. The breakaway box is essentially a plastic box with a battery in it that powers the breakaway switch.
How do you keep a breakaway battery charged?
If you have a charger installed, it can charge the battery by plugging the trailer plug into a running tow vehicle for twenty minutes. Check the battery charge frequently. The entire battery can be depleted if the pin is pulled out of the switch for 20-25 minutes, IF it’s fully charged.
How does a trailer breakaway battery work?
Your breakaway cable attaches to the brake system on your trailer and then attaches to the back of your tow vehicle. If the trailer ever becomes detached from your vehicle while towing, this cable pulls out the pin attached to the trailer brake, causing them to engage and safely stop your trailer.
Why does my utility trailer have a battery?
That small black box is probably the box containing a small battery. Many utility trailer, car trailers or other trailers other than TT use a small wet-cell battery to power the brakes and the emergency breakaway function of the trailer brakes. The battery does not get used for any other purpose than the brakes.
How do you wire a breakaway battery?
Splice one of the two wires coming out of the breakaway switch into the trailer brake wire running from the trailer connector to the brakes. 2. Open the battery box and connect the second wire coming out of the switch to the positive post (red) on the battery. This connection will send power to the breakaway switch.
How long do breakaway batteries last?
Breakaway Battery These are usually housed in a black plastic case. The battery will need to be charged fully before it’s first use and has an average life of two years. Keep in mind that after the pin is pulled from the breakaway switch, an activated system can drain the breakaway battery supply quickly.
Does tow vehicle charge breakaway battery?
As long as it is connected to a function 12 volt circuit it will charge the battery. When connected to the towing vehicle and the vehicle on and/or running, the 12 volt circuit will charge the battery.
How do you test a trailer breakaway battery?
Push the test button on the unit. You should get a response from the indicator lights that show the unit is operating. Check that the charging light indicates that the breakaway battery is charging when connected to the car battery and when the caravan is plugged into power.
How do you reset a breakaway switch?
How to Reset a Breakaway System After Pulled Pin If you have electric brakes then the only thing you will need to do to reset a breakaway system would be to place the pin back into the switch. This will then release the brakes and allow the trailer to roll freely. You will not need to replace it…
How do you bypass a breakaway switch on a trailer?
If you were to get pulled over and the breakaway system was to be tested you would get in trouble. To simply bypass the system you would just need to cut the wire that goes from the switch to the brake output circuit of your trailer wiring.