Trailer Battery Charging: Solar? DC-DC?

[GLTHFJ60]

Why run a battery on the trailer at all? Can't you just run some cables and anderson clips to the winch on the trailer and be done with it?

It's not like you'll ever load / unload your trailer without your vehicle attached.

 

[woytovich]

I was thinking it would be nice to be able to run LED work lights at the trailer even if the tow vehicle wasn't present... Not necessary for sure but if it would fit in with an overall plan then it would be a nice option to have.

Plus if the trailer is ever used by someone else they would have winch power (as long as the battery is charged).

I figure use of the winch will be rare, and when it does get used it'll be for a single pull onto the trailer.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

What would the LED work lights illuminate, the trailer tires? Unless you have an abnormally strong tongue jack system, you won't (shouldn't) ever have a vehicle on the trailer without the tow vehicle attached, so there wouldn't be anything on the trailer deck to illuminate.

I'm not sure that a single battery would have enough juice on it's own to do a 20' single line pull of a heavy vehicle up the ramps, without something charging it. Maybe instead of cabling something through your tow vehicle, have a set of long jumper cables from the anderson clip on the winch that can go up to the battery of the tow vehicle?

I'm bringing this up because a winch will be on my list when I get a car trailer. I absolutely see the benefit of a winch, but I don't see the benefit of having a battery.

 

[woytovich]

The lights/power would be for... whatever. Using the trailer as a work bench, as a party platform... like I said, it was just one small part of the "how would this work".

Jumper cables with andersen connectors is certainly the easiest. And, as someone mentioned, have an "end" that has jumper clamps so the long cable can be used as as jumper cables when not in "winch power" mode. This makes a lot of sense and really gives the most flexible arrangement.

Thanks for the input Johnny and all.

 

[woytovich]

Now to calculate length, amps and gauge required... maybe THAT is another reason to put a battery on the trailer.

And by the way I believe that a fully charged car battery should be able to do a pull of the 60 up onto the trailer. And remember, unless the truck is totally inop. I have a winch on the truck to pull itself up...

 

[e9999]

you also do need some sort of battery if you have a runaway electric brake system I would think, although a small one will do for that

 

[woytovich]

you also do need some sort of battery if you have a runaway electric brake system I would think, although a small one will do for that

Already in place...