Running Power to Rear of Truck for Dump Trailer, Winches, and Jumper Cables

[Diamondpilot]

Bechtel?

No. JDH.

Chris

 

[Leonard]

Lots of good info here. Varying opinions and great suggestions.

SLHawkins, I would have purchased that setup from Napa but I already bought the wire and connectors from Del City. When I was getting ready to install the wire only is when I decided to do a little reasearch and found this thread. Also, I originally wanted to use the space where the battery is for storage of ropes and bungees. However, I agree about leaving the old battery in trailer for the break away safety feature.

Bandaidmd, Difficult to compare Tommy Lift rating at 1,100 lbs to 14k dump trailer but here goes. Assuming the dump motor at 200A, the circuit breaker and solenoid should be rated for a max. 200A (Should be more? Less?). 12ga wire from solenoid to upfitter switch. No fuse needed. And no warrantee issues.

I realize I am over thinking this (It's my M.O.). Just want to do this once, correctly.

 

[Dr Dave]

This is the buss fuse setup, i use on snowplows and dump truck viborators. I use 250a up to 400a for most installs.

Dave

 

[Dr Dave]

You can eliminate the large trailer battery and install a small gell cell trailer battery for $20.00 to opperate the brakes only.

Dave

 

[catskinner]

i wouldn't get rid of the on board battery, using heavier cable to replenish faster. It is easier on the altenator and other electronics without that surge going through it. Otherwise you may to uprade alternator to handle load. You can add a isloater to allow flow to trailer only. Or switch to a gas motor with hyd pump.

 

[Leonard]

Dr Dave, I believe the circuit breaker will take the place of a fuse. I prefer to reset a breaker instead of replacing a fuse. Like the small gel cell battery for the brakes.

catskinner, I assume my 200A alternator is enough to use the dump trailer. Of course, I could be wrong. You know what happens when you assume. About the isolator. I thought the solenoid takes care of that. There I go assuming again.

 

[edkemper]

I'm buying a new dump and they now don't use the solar to keep it charged. Now you plug them (120v) in to keep them charged. When towing, the battery is charged through the plug.

 

[catskinner]

Dr Dave, I believe the circuit breaker will take the place of a fuse. I prefer to reset a breaker instead of replacing a fuse. Like the small gel cell battery for the brakes.

catskinner, I assume my 200A alternator is enough to use the dump trailer. Of course, I could be wrong. You know what happens when you assume. About the isolator. I thought the solenoid takes care of that. There I go assuming again.

Are you sure you have a 200A alternator? If that is the case, then your system will bnot be overloaded. You are correct about the solenoid if you delete the battery. Let us know how everything works, I'm always interested on how other people figure out solutions to problems.

 

[ultrarunner]

I went cheap years ago...

Had an old broken arc welder given to me... used the stinger cable to run a hot from the battery to the back bumper and used the plug in welder cable port for the connection... never a problem.

Also was careful to route the cable to avoid sharp edges and added a heater hose jacket to protect in some places.

The negative is through the trailer ball...

 

[Diamondpilot]

I went cheap years ago...

Had an old broken arc welder given to me... used the cable to run a hot from the battery to the back bumper and used the plug in welder cable port for the connection... never a problem.

Also was careful to route the cable to avoid sharp edges and added a heater hose jacket to protect in some places.

The negative is through the trailer ball...

Using the ball for a ground is a bad idea. DC current flows from negative to positive so a poor connection can be tough on your electrical system.

Chris