Posted 2006-08-13 5:53 PM (#46507) Subject: Recharging 12 Volt lead-acid battery for trailer brakes
Veteran
Posts: 254 Location: Dickinson, TX
My emergency brake battery is dead... about .09 volts (should be 12+) Where can I get it recharged, or can anyone specify a recharger available at Lowe's that would serve the purpose of recharging this battery?
Posted 2006-08-14 6:17 AM (#46528 - in reply to #46507) Subject: RE: Recharging 12 Volt lead-acid battery for trailer brakes
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
If it's the battery that came new on your trailer (2002), then chunk it! Replace it with a new battery. When you plug in the trailer to the truck, it should be recharging at that time. If the truck in not recharging it, then you may not have a hot minimum of 12 volts all the time terminal in the truck plug. Use a test light and check for that hot lead, if it is hot (all the time with everything on the truck turned off) then plug in the trailer cable and check to see of you are getting power to the emergency brake trailer battery. Be sure you are getting a good ground from the truck to the trailer also.
Posted 2006-08-14 12:38 PM (#46567 - in reply to #46507) Subject: RE: Recharging 12 Volt lead-acid battery for trailer brakes
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366 Location: Albany, Oregon
Are you sure it is a lead-acid and not a gel-cell? I charge my gel-cell with a battery tender....or a small trickle charger. Most of the breakaway systems don't charge off the truck system...But some do...it is a $ option. You can check to see by following the description above.
Posted 2006-08-14 6:49 PM (#46598 - in reply to #46567) Subject: RE: Recharging 12 Volt lead-acid battery for trailer brakes
Veteran
Posts: 254 Location: Dickinson, TX
Thanks, y'all. The constant hot does not run through the emergency brake circuit. Hooked her up and no juice. Tried with the switch/trip wire connected and disconnected, just to be sure. Interior trailer lights worked (also on hot circuit.)
SO... there's no recharging of this battery that goes on... and I'm sure the battery has been dead for years.
Time to recharge. The battery IS lead acid according to its packaging. Any particular sort of recharger I should use?
Posted 2006-08-15 3:43 PM (#46662 - in reply to #46598) Subject: RE: Recharging 12 Volt lead-acid battery for trailer brakes
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366 Location: Albany, Oregon
Mike, If it is a lead acid it is probably toast if it has been "years". I would get a "Battery Tender Jr."($30ish at motorbike shops & e-bay) and try it....I have my doubts that it will take a charge but you could try. If you have to replace it they or I should say mine have had a gel cell that will take the abuse a tad better. Use the Battery tender at least once a year and top it off. You can leave the tender hooked up and it won't hurt any 12v battery.
Recharging 12 Volt lead-acid battery for trailer brakes
