12v light in traile ronly work with key on?

[BirdDog1]

12v trailer lights only work when my key is on how do I change this. I have a 2008 Ford F350 any suggestions.

[dreadcptflint]

Do you have a battery in your trailer and does it work?

[BirdDog1]

Do not have battery in trailer plainning on running off of truck battery. Will only use when first get set up. Getting a generator to run 110 lights and A/C.

[bobhenry]

Most all the big pickups are factory wired with a plug in harness for 7 way round. Install one and use the utility or electric brake circuit for your lighting. The other option is a 10 gage hot wire direct from battery be sure and install a breaker within a couple feet from the battery to protect the circuit. I just picked up a seperate battery at Wally world , nothin' fancy just a plain jane battery. It lasts the weeek end primative camping and I charge it when I get home.

[Cliffmeister2000]

If you are using a 7 conductor connector, you have tapped the wrong lead for your lights. If you are only going to use the 12 while setting up, this could be a feature rather than an issue!

[BirdDog1]

I have a 7 way plug and to my understandin Ford only sends power when the key is on. I guess I need to bypass the relay with maybe a female spade connector? What do you guys think?

[BirdDog1]

I also might use the 12v lights when I do not need A/C it would be alot cheaper than running a generator.

[bobhenry]

How about a $6.00 answer 2 small 6 volt lantern batteries wired together for 12 volts. Combined with led lighting and short work times should last an entire season.

[bobhenry]

I also might use the 12v lights when I do not need A/C it would be alot cheaper than running a generator.

Get your auto club dues paid up sounds like a flat battery to me.

Can you say " er..er...er...click click click "

[Dale M.]

Probably a control relay issue..... It only allows the ACC /12 Volt prong in connector to be hot if key is on...

You may have to pull relay and put in a bypass (short jumper with two male push on connectors).....Or do a rewire of control lead for relay to dash mounted switch to over ride computer/ign key....

Or as someone else has mentioned run new lead from battery to connector that is "hot" all the time....

Dale

[Cliffmeister2000]

Here's the Ford F150 connector diagram

http://www.mediafire.com/?g92ghictzsd

click on "Click here to start download"

[danlott]

My suggestion would be to add a battery to your trailer and charge it with the tow vehicle. This is fairly easy to do and with an F350 and the rather large trailer you have the weight will not be an issue. You could put the battery in a box on the front of your trailer. This way you would not have to screw with your factory wiring on your truck. You would not have to worry about discharging your tow vehicle battery. You would not have to run a generator to use your trailer lights.

Here is a link on charging the battery with the tow vehicle.
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=28620

I am not sure how much power you use while camping, but we mostly only use the lights at night. Don't really ever use power the rest of the time. I would just add a battery to the trailer and be done with it.

Dan

[madjack]

My suggestion would be to add a battery to your trailer and charge it with the tow vehicle. This is fairly easy to do and with an F350 and the rather large trailer you have the weight will not be an issue. You could put the battery in a box on the front of your trailer. This way you would not have to screw with your factory wiring on your truck. You would not have to worry about discharging your tow vehicle battery. You would not have to run a generator to use your trailer lights.

Here is a link on charging the battery with the tow vehicle.
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=28620

I am not sure how much power you use while camping, but we mostly only use the lights at night. Don't really ever use power the rest of the time. I would just add a battery to the trailer and be done with it.

Dan

...this is what I would do and highly recommend you do so as well or as Bob said...err err err click click click...a terrible sound to hear when all alone in the deep woods!!!!!!!!!
madjack

[BirdDog1]

My owners guide says it ahs a relay for trailer tow battery charge so is there a wire fed to my 7 way already?

[Cliffmeister2000]

That's the one, but it's switched. Key must be in "RUN" position (as you have already discovered).