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Old 10-25-2011, 12:16 PM   #1
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Plugged trailer in = battery flat

I plugged my trailer in Monday to charge the brake battery which I had just replaced. I switched the key to the aux position, which provides power to the 7 pin connector.

I left it like that for about 6 hours, then moved the key back to off and removed the key and locked the van.

Then this morning the van battery was dead. I had noticed yesterday the brake controller light was on, even with the key out. (I assume it came on when I plugged the trailer in) it is a Tekonsha, but I haven't looked it up yet.

The wiring for the brake controller looks really bad, wires poking out everywhere. The van does have the factory trailer wiring, so I assume it has the extra relay etc under the dash.

On my old van, I wired in the brake controller and had no issues with the trailer.

I'm thinking either:

1) the brake controller and aux power is mis-wired under the dash to the 7 pin.

2) the safety switch on the trailer is faulty and is drawing power all the time.

Any ideas?

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Old 10-25-2011, 04:28 PM   #2
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Re: Plugged trailer in = battery flat

both are possible. If you want to go through your wiring, go to Etrailer.com and look on their diy/install pages. i found everything i needed and more there and wired all of my stuff myself. Pretty odd to me that it killed your truck battery so quick, especially after it sat awhile since they usually build back up. You've got a dead short somewhere!
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Old 10-25-2011, 09:57 PM   #3
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Re: Plugged trailer in = battery flat

My work pickup brake controller does the same thing - the light remains on as long as I've got a trailer hooked to it. Being a small LED light (not sure what other draws there might be?) I've never had an issue with a dead battery or even low battery the next morning when left plugged in overnight.

I think I might point the finger at other power draws while the key was in the AUX position for 6 hours.
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Old 10-25-2011, 11:52 PM   #4
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Re: Plugged trailer in = battery flat

Quote:
Originally Posted by rockbender
My work pickup brake controller does the same thing - the light remains on as long as I've got a trailer hooked to it. Being a small LED light (not sure what other draws there might be?) I've never had an issue with a dead battery or even low battery the next morning when left plugged in overnight.

I think I might point the finger at other power draws while the key was in the AUX position for 6 hours.

I agree. My brake controller will stay on for a week at a time between drives, since spring time the van is hooked to a trailer more often than not. AUX does energize a lot of circuits.
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Old 10-26-2011, 12:01 AM   #5
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Re: Plugged trailer in = battery flat

Quote:
Originally Posted by carringb
Quote:
Originally Posted by rockbender
My work pickup brake controller does the same thing - the light remains on as long as I've got a trailer hooked to it. Being a small LED light (not sure what other draws there might be?) I've never had an issue with a dead battery or even low battery the next morning when left plugged in overnight.

I think I might point the finger at other power draws while the key was in the AUX position for 6 hours.

I agree. My brake controller will stay on for a week at a time between drives, since spring time the van is hooked to a trailer more often than not. AUX does energize a lot of circuits.
I thought aux only powered trailer and 2nd Ford batt?
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Old 10-28-2011, 06:39 PM   #6
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Re: Plugged trailer in = battery flat

Ok something else is going on here, the trailer is long since unplugged but the battery is still going flat. I measured about a 1.5A draw with the doors closed and everything off, but that's with a mostly dead battery, could draw far more with a charged battery. I guess I need to start pulling fuses to isolate. I don't think the clock in the radio draws that much, unless maybe it was trying to reload the discs.

I pulled the ground wire off and I am charging the battery, will try and figure it out tomorrow.

Radio, lights are all off. Scan gauge unplugged. Keys out of ignition.

Yes my cruise switch recall has been done.
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Old 10-29-2011, 06:32 PM   #7
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Re: Plugged trailer in = battery flat

The current drops to 1.1A after the CD changer reloads. I pulled the radio fuse and current went to 0. Drawing 1A when off doesn't sound right... I haven't found anything else tied into that circuit. Next step is pull the stock deck out and unplug it.

Jage can you move this thread into electrics pls?
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Old 10-29-2011, 07:20 PM   #8
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Re: Plugged trailer in = battery flat

Quote:
Originally Posted by ANZAC
The current drops to 1.1A after the CD changer reloads. I pulled the radio fuse and current went to 0. Drawing 1A when off doesn't sound right... I haven't found anything else tied into that circuit. Next step is pull the stock deck out and unplug it.

Jage can you move this thread into electrics pls?
1A for a CD Changer sounds high to me too.

BTW, topic moved to Electrical/Electronics. Let me know if I didn't do it properly. Looks fine from my computer.


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Old 10-29-2011, 07:25 PM   #9
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Re: Plugged trailer in = battery flat

By any chance, is the SMB Radio Power switch on? Could power feed through that and on to other items?

Otherwise, my wiring diagram says the radio fuse (F2.3) only feeds the radio.

Mike
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Old 10-29-2011, 11:57 PM   #10
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Re: Plugged trailer in = battery flat

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350
By any chance, is the SMB Radio Power switch on? Could power feed through that and on to other items?

Otherwise, my wiring diagram says the radio fuse (F2.3) only feeds the radio.

Mike
Nope, CB radio is switched to extra battery. Very odd.
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