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Supplying Power To Trailer Mounted Equipment

SPQR

By SPQR
in Towing, Hauling & Hitches

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SPQR Enthusiast

SPQR

Posted
Posted

I have some tree fertilizing equipment that is supposed to be mounted into the back of a pickup, and to draw power from the vehicle's battery, but I want to mount it on to a trailer, and for the trailer to be completely self contained. The pump is powered by a small engine, but the power reel draws from the truck battery. I'm fantasizing about mounting a 12 volt battery and an alternator on the trailer, with the alternator being spun by a trailer wheel during transport. Anyone here ever done something like that?

 

My goal is to be able to operate the trailer mounted equipment completely independently of the vehicle it is being towed by. I have two trucks, and would like for them both to remain as unmodified as possible. If I wanted to dedicate either one to this seasonal business, I'd mount the equipment in the box of that truck, so putting it all on a trailer seems like the best solution.

 

I am tempted to simply buy a generator to power the reel, which needs 12 volt power to retract the hose, but I got to thinking about making a couple of one time purchases (an alternator and a battery) instead of a gas powered generator. In my mind it seems plausible. All I need to do is run the reel to the battery, the battery to the alternator, and then harness the energy of the trailer wheel to spin the alternator. One of the first problems I see with this is protecting the belt or chain that spins the alternator, so I'm wondering if there's such an invention that already does what I'm thinking of - a trailer wheel mountable alternator. The wheel turns, it moves a chain that spins the alternator, which charges the battery, which powers my power reel. It has to be doable. I guess I'm wondering if the effort exceeds the reward.

jdsemin Enthusiast

jdsemin

Posted
Posted

Why not just mount a pair of batteries and a battery charging kit for a boat with a trolling motor. Uses the batteries when not moving but always charging when plugged into the truck and the truck is running. The only mod to the trucks would be a wires from the battery and an inline fuse.

beave84 Enthusiast

beave84

Posted
Posted

I would get a pin out for the trailer wiring, there should be a constant keyed 12v source, so when the truck is running it'll charge the battery on the trailer.

 

As for mounting an alternator I think it may be more then its worth when you can just use you trailer plug to charge with.

 

just my $.02

SPQR Enthusiast

SPQR

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I have never heard of this (I've never towed anything), but this sounds like it does what I'm asking, without jerry rigging the trailer. Now, by "plugged into the truck", does this mean it draws power through the trailer connection, or do I have to install another connection?

 

And can anyone tell me why I can't click anywhere in my post and modify? The cursor is non existant on this forum for me.

 

Why not just mount a pair of batteries and a battery charging kit for a boat with a trolling motor. Uses the batteries when not moving but always charging when plugged into the truck and the truck is running.
SPQR Enthusiast

SPQR

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Sounds like something I'd do... I wikipedia'd it, but I'm not entirely clear on how to do this. I have 7 pin connectors on one of my trucks, and a four pin on the other. I was hoping to be able to tow this trailer with whichever one I felt like driving that day, and at most, add an adaptor to get around the difference in connector. I suppose I should go surf a bit to find out more about this pin out, unless you can put it in a nutshell for me.

I would get a pin out for the trailer wiring, there should be a constant keyed 12v source, so when the truck is running it'll charge the battery on the trailer.

 

As for mounting an alternator I think it may be more then its worth when you can just use you trailer plug to charge with.

 

just my $.02

beave84 Enthusiast

beave84

Posted
Posted
Sounds like something I'd do... I wikipedia'd it, but I'm not entirely clear on how to do this. I have 7 pin connectors on one of my trucks, and a four pin on the other. I was hoping to be able to tow this trailer with whichever one I felt like driving that day, and at most, add an adaptor to get around the difference in connector. I suppose I should go surf a bit to find out more about this pin out, unless you can put it in a nutshell for me.
I would get a pin out for the trailer wiring, there should be a constant keyed 12v source, so when the truck is running it'll charge the battery on the trailer.

 

As for mounting an alternator I think it may be more then its worth when you can just use you trailer plug to charge with.

 

just my $.02

 

 

Click on the search botton on the top right of this page and type in Trailer brake installation there are some pages on there about this. I'll ook around for a thread and repost it if i find one for you.

 

Here is one with color pictures of what to do... http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...=trailer+wiring

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