Isolating 12v current to trailer

[marc71]

I have a 6ga wire running from the battery of my TV to a winch type quick disconnect at the rear of the truck and the corresponding connector attached to the batteries on the trailer. How do I isolate or disconnect this wire when the vehicle is shut off? Im thinking some type of solenoid? Any help on this project would be most appreciated.

[Sam_Spade]

time2roll wrote:
Unplug the 7-pin connector?

I said that before but nobody seems to be listening.
I don't quite understand why.

[time2roll]

Unplug the 7-pin connector?

[beemerphile1]

marc71 wrote:

enblethen wrote:
A mechanical heavy duty relay is what I have used in the past. Installation instructions are on the link. You can get a relay from most auto supply. Check to insure it can handle the amperage of full load winch draw amperage.
Tekonsha Battery Switch

Ordered this today from Amazon. this was my thinking from the start but thanks to everyone for the help.

That's the way to go, a continuous duty solenoid. Keep it simple.

[marc71]

enblethen wrote:
A mechanical heavy duty relay is what I have used in the past. Installation instructions are on the link. You can get a relay from most auto supply. Check to insure it can handle the amperage of full load winch draw amperage.
Tekonsha Battery Switch

Ordered this today from Amazon... this was my thinking from the start but thanks to everyone for the help.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

According to my decades-long memory, ninety-eight percent of OVERLY FREQUENT problems with isolation solenoids happen in wiring and switches and NOT in the isolation solenoid.

100% of the non mechanical problems with manual switch isolation solenoids are traced to between-the-ears-of-the-operator. They forget.

IMHO choosing a switch-it-yourself solenoid is a 100% loser.

[Ava]

I installed a simple relay with the 12v signal fed from the keyed side in the panel in my battery compartment. The fused wire from the coach then only powers out to the plug when running and stops it from going the other way when turned off.

[Sam_Spade]

marc71 wrote:
How do I isolate or disconnect this wire when the vehicle is shut off?

Unplug it at the quick disconnect ??
Zero dollars; ten seconds or less.

Am I missing something ??

[enblethen]

A mechanical heavy duty relay is what I have used in the past. Installation instructions are on the link. You can get a relay from most auto supply. Check to insure it can handle the amperage of full load winch draw amperage.
Tekonsha Battery Switch

[grizzzman]

BurbMan wrote:
For $20 you can get a basic 85a relay like yhis one. Connect the trigger circuit to something that's only on when the engine is running. When you turn the engine off, the solenoid opens the charging circuit to the trailer.

The battery separator is nice, but if you have only one battery in the truck I don't know if I want to let it go down to 12.8v before it separates.

Your worried about bringing a 12 volt battery "down" to 12.8?. I suggest that you do your homework.

[Ranger_Smith]

Other thing he can use is a LSL Toad Charge. That will do the same thing.

[BurbMan]

For $20 you can get a basic 85a relay like yhis one. Connect the trigger circuit to something that's only on when the engine is running. When you turn the engine off, the solenoid opens the charging circuit to the trailer.

The battery separator is nice, but if you have only one battery in the truck I don't know if I want to let it go down to 12.8v before it separates.

[wa8yxm]

THat one is bi-directional (Good for a motor home not needed by the O/P but the concept is good. Just you do not need Bi-Directional. one way is ok
(Since the trailer will NEVER .. then again.. Go with the BI Directional

I do (on occasion) hook muy car (not isolated) to the motor home to keerp the battery charged by means of the house converter.. Car battery is 5 years old and starting to show signs of age.. If I do not drive it at least 2x a week it shows signs of "low battery" after a week of gathering dust.

So if your truck does that, You simply plug in overnight and the Bi-Directional charger.. will charge the TRUCK battery.

[Ranger_Smith]

Just purchase a battery separator. Don't need a solenoid.

Battery Separator