Electrical/Battery Question

[dmad1]

I have removed the battery for the winter and have it on a trickle charger. I am taking the trailer in for repairs this week and am wondering if I need to replace the battery into the trailer? If I leave it out, and the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle, which charges while running, will it cause a problem with the wires unconnected? Should I install it so the wires will be connected to the battery? If not, will it cause problems if the shop connects shore power without the battery installed and the wiring just taped up? Thanks

[minke]

Do you have trailer brakes? In a failure where the trailer detaches you need the battery to power the brakes.

[dmad1]

If I am not mistaken, the brakes receive power from the tow vehicle through the 7 way plug. But I am not positive...

[Raspy]

Originally Posted by dmad1

If I am not mistaken, the brakes receive power from the tow vehicle through the 7 way plug. But I am not positive...

The TV powers the trailer brakes during normal operation. If the trailer disconnects from the TV and pulls the emergency cord, the on-board battery powers the brakes.

[dmad1]

Thanks for the heads up. I did not know that. I sort of live by what Forest Gump said about "Stupid is as Stupid Does" and Murphy's Law. Murphy lives upstairs at my house and we see each other frequently!

[gordon2]

Kinda depends on what repairs are being done... if they are related to the 12 volt power system then I would include the battery.

Otherwise the only reason to have it is as mentioned.. if you have a break-away switch and the trailer becomes unhitched, the battery is needed to activate the brakes without the tow vehicle.

But if there is no break-away switch OR as long as the trailer stays hitched, then the battery is not needed. That is certainty not a suggestion to remove the battery and disable that safety system. But odds are....

[mary and bob]

If the battery is not in the trailer, be sure that the wire ends that would be attached to the battery can not touch each other or any metal parts. Might be a good idea to tape them and secure them somehow, like with a zip tie.

[Joe Romas]

Most states require a battery to operate the brakes for the above reason.

Besides that without the battery what do you or Murphy think would happen if the battery wires would touch while connected to your car?

Finigans corollary says Murphy is an optimist

[dmad1]

Murphy says thanks to all and that he really does try to be optimistic but it is hard...

[CarlD]

Just put the battery in and don't worry about it. It is almost spring and you are in Texas.

[Casita Greg]

Originally Posted by gordon2

But if there is no break-away switch OR as long as the trailer stays hitched, then the battery is not needed. That is certainty not a suggestion to remove the battery and disable that safety system. But odds are....

Just for the record, Casitas do have break-away switches. And the trailer battery is required to be both installed and operational, (i.e. not dead,) when the trailer is being towed. While not having the trailer battery installed, in and of itself, will not hurt your alternator, it is required when the trailer is on the road.

[Joe Romas]

Just for the record not all Casita's originally came with break away switches and that includes our 1999 17' SD. I believe they started installing them in 2003.
But they are easy to install and use.

[k0wtz]

I would check if you have had that on trickle charge for a long time you may have no fluid in your battery.. maybe your charger is automatic best I use a Harbor Frieghts float charge on all my stuff!

bob

[Casita Greg]

Originally Posted by Joe Romas

Just for the record not all Casita's originally came with break away switches and that includes our 1999 17' SD. I believe they started installing them in 2003.
But they are easy to install and use.

True enough Joe, but the OP has a 2015 17'LD trailer, at least that's what it says in his avatar anyway...

[robf]

Another thing to think about is tongue-weight. If you usually have that 40-ish pound battery up there on the tongue, you'll probably notice the difference without it.

[k0wtz]

I cant think of a reason to not have your battery outside on the tongue just seems the most logical place for it.

I also think you might see a change in towing without it there but maybe it doesent matter much!

bob

Originally Posted by robf

Another thing to think about is tongue-weight. If you usually have that 40-ish pound battery up there on the tongue, you'll probably notice the difference without it.

[dmad1]

I guess Casita doesn't agree with it being on the tongue.