We hooked the charger up to the batteries terminals.
We selected the right settings for a high-performance AGM deep cycle battery and let its electronics do their thing. Our battery had a 75% charge out of the box so we let it charge for a couple of hours to get the full 100%.
Ok, we are all strapped up and ready to go.
With the new battery, the trailer jack and winch work so fast we had forgotten how they were supposed to work! We also noted that the trailer brakes worked smoother, we didn’t have to turn the gain on the brake controller as high, and the truck’s alternator isn’t working so hard like it was when it was always sending power to the dead trailer battery. We are looking forward to many years of pain-free service with our Optima Blue top and we now realize that we should have changed the trailer battery a few years ago!
The other lesson is that trailers and tow equipment are often neglected. Although we are careful to keep our tire pressures set correctly and maintain our brakes and wheel bearings (which most people neglect and which cause a ton of towing incidents), we for sure never did anything for our battery. Installing a brand new heavy-duty Optima deep cycle made us realize how a bad trailer battery can affect your safety, convenience, the truck’s charging system, and yes even the brake performance of your trailer. Since we tend to overlook the trailer’s battery, this is even a better reason to install a premium battery like the Optima Blue Top deep cycle which is designed for this sort of use!
6 comments
Because you have two batteries, being charged with the alternator, did you also use a battery isolator? Where it automatically switches between batteries at a pre-determined low voltage? They seem great in theory, cheap too, but I never see a mention of it, so I’m not sure of the real world limitations/issues/shortcomings….
Here is an example of one : https://nvx.com/nvx-xsbi200.html there are higher rated ones and lower rated ones, and I’m sure dozens of other brands too.
I think the truck doesn’t draw high amperage current from the trailer so the OEM wiring must already isolate the battery from supplying the truck, although the truck does charge the trailer battery.
Not really a concern unless they’re permanently mounted together, like in a diesel pickup or RV. Occasionally hooked up overnight for a weekend? Meh.
I have a drag car with no charging system. I have a red top that is 12 years old still working perfect, I charge between runs with a regular battery charger at 30 amp sitting. I have a electric fan and water pump when it finally dies do you recommend blue top or other set up. Thanks
Your car is a perfect candidate for a dual-use deep cycle battery like this. The only disadvantage is that it weighs a couple of pounds more in the same size.
do you have motorcycle batteries?