Brakesafe power supply

[Burnsy]

I know there has been discussion on here in regards to charging the battery in the brakesafe unit and I hope this hasn't been covered elsewhere. What I'm thinking of doing is getting the power supply from my house batteries, that way the battery is always charged either from solar or setek. I have read on another forum where this has been done, can anyone see a problem with doing this?
I don't have my trailer plug wired with hotwire so my brakeaway battery hasn't been charged since I bought the van 1 year ago......it still reads ok though, but I want to fix this issue and thought this idea would kill two birds!

Cheers.

 

[gwadir]

Burnsy,

Just checked out RMS web site http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi22.pdf

Under Installation of Equipment clause 3 my reading of that would suggest as long as your 'house' batteries can also be charged from the car and you connect your break-safe battery to them then you would comply
"the towing vehicle is equipped with an electrical circuit which will automatically maintain the trailer battery in a fully charged condition"
Have a look and let me know your thoughts because I was going to do exactly the same.

Dave

 

[Burnsy]

Burnsy,

Just checked out RMS web site http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi22.pdf

Under Installation of Equipment clause 3 my reading of that would suggest as long as your 'house' batteries can also be charged from the car and you connect your break-safe battery to them then you would comply
"the towing vehicle is equipped with an electrical circuit which will automatically maintain the trailer battery in a fully charged condition"
Have a look and let me know your thoughts because I was going to do exactly the same.

Dave

Thanks for that Dave, finished it today.....can't see me having a problem with 200amps of battery plus solar charge and of course setek on mains!
Cheers.

 

[Xpandafan]

You've got enough solar/battery power to keep it nicely charged. Going to do the same.

 

[ROnEM]

Was moving the inverter and decided to check the brakesafe battery. Flat as a tack - Not good

Having just travelled nearly 2,000KM in the van, I would have though the battery would be nicely charged.

Put the tug up to the 12 pin plug. Power at the car (modified pin 2), but nothing at the brakesafe. Will have to chase and diagnose the circuit or another option would be to connect to the van's batteries, also using a diode so there is no current draw back to the van's batteries from the brakesafe battery. Latter option is the preferred I think.

Went to open the brakesafe, and found that the Jayco installer has simply put it on the floor of the van and attached it to the wall. The front cover opens and hinges down - requiring 2cm space under the unit, otherwise you can't open it.

Another quick fix to lift the unit to open the front cover.

I think I have just been Jaycoed.

 

[Glen Bundesen]

Depending on the brand, but most can be charged when connected to the vehicle. Pin 9 or 12 I think - if no wire there already, then you can run a wire from the battery to it. Otherwise you need to connect a battery charger to the breakaway battery when it requires charging.