I did a search and didn't find any answers. I was installing my brake controller today and the instructions with the mopar conector left me thinking my batteries will go dead if I leave it hooked to my trailer. Is there some type of battery isolation system I need? Who sells it?

Thanks
-BD

 

I have a Prodigy controller, I have left it hooked up for eight days, and the batteries were fine.

 

How do you like your prodigy controller?

 

Prodigy.....A+++

Never had a battery drain with any controller.

 

There is usually only a small amount of current flowing through most brake controllers. This current is typically in milliamps (a milliamp is one/thousandth of an amp) in order to provide an indication of connectivity from your controller, through your wiring, and through your electric brake coils. If you divide your battery capacity (typically in ampere/hours) by the small current drain of your controller while connected (check your brake controller manual for amount of current), you'll find that you should be OK - and feel relieved in the process. I'm not familiar with your particular controller; I'm assuming it's an electric type! I've left my rig attached for quite some time - never had any problems, don't anticipate any. Good luck!

 

Works great, the only thing I have to compare it to was a cheepie that I bought for my Tundra when I first started towing my Rock-Crawler. It was either on or off. The Prodigy is very smooth.

 

I think, typically the isolaters, are used in camping trailers where there is a battery on the trailer. Keeps from running the truck down if the trailer battery goes down. Different circuit than the brake controller. I almost always unhook though. Have had several trucks with trailers hooked up for a week or more with the light on, on the trailer brake controller. Not a one of them ever failed to start, or even cranked slow. If your hauling an RV, then I'd consider one. Most RV places sell them. You should be fine otherwise.

 

I am towing an enclosed cargo trailer with a small battery to lock up the brakes (powers nothing else) if the trailer breaks free during tow. The trailer also has interior lights that if inadvertantly left on would draw off the truck batteries. I usually drive every 7 days in the winter but on occasion it will sit for two weeks. I don't want to have any dead battery issues. On my previous truck when the key was off there was no power to the trailer. I can see myself forgetting to turn off the lights or disconnect the trailer or forget to hook it back up. I would like to set it up so when the key is off the trailer power is off.

 

http://www.hellroaring.com/rv.htm#Trailer%20/%20Camper



Here is a site that sells battery isolators if you want some info on them.

This will automatically keep you from draining down your truck starting batteries if you keep them loaded down inadvertently in an RV type application.

 

the +12V lead to the trailer is dead when the key is out of the ignition. Get a voltmeter or a dummy light and see for yourself.

I have a prodigy and it shuts itself off after a period of inactivity and will not re-activate until the brakes are applied.

If you are still worried about needing an isolator to isolate the trailer from the trcuk, save a few bucks and disconnect your cable from the truck when it sits.

 

Key off, doors locked. No power to my controller. Power is still at the 12v battery lead... I unplugged my controller and got the same results. You may want to make sure you have a good ground and check your 12v battery lead again?

Again, the mopar controller wiring connector instructions state that vehichle batteries can be drained by a trailer.

 

Not on mine...............

Bob

 

Mine either! Hot all the time.