Trailer battery charge module
I have been looking for a alternative for 20 years to the battery isolator. I did not like the idea of placing a device between the vehicle electrical power system. I have used switches and solenoids but it entailed major alteration under the hood. I found last spring a small trailer battery charge control module that is wired between the power from the vehicle to the trailer battery. It can be installed in the vehicle or the trailer. The beauty of a trailer installation is that if for any reason one uses a different vehicle as long as it has a 7 wire connection,it will charge the trailer's battery without any vehicle alternations. The unit is an Atkinson Electronic module TBCM-40A. It will only connect the trailer battery when the voltage from the vehicle's battery has a full charged at 13.9 volts and will disconnect when the vehicle's battery drops below 12.9 volts. It will cycle on and off when the trailer battery is so low that a constant connection may overheat the power wiring. it will stay on full time when the trailer battery voltage has returned to a higher voltage that still needs charging. I installed it on the lit of the junction box under the front seat. I have heard stories of people leaving their trailer connected only to return with a dead vehicle battery unable to start it. I know that manufacturers are installing safeguards now but with the module both would have to fail at the same time. I shutter at the thought of going for a nice long hike in the middle of nowhere only to be stranded there because i forgot to disconnect the trailer.
|