No power to 12V constant pin

[khokhonutt]

[ QUOTE ]
Jeff,

Just remember that the reason that I replaced the relay with the jumper was to get 12V to the pin when the key is off. As Tobi mentioned above, the pin will be hot only with the key on if you install the relay. I pull a trailer for our local high school marching band too and it's nice to be able to use the lights without having to have the key on. Just so you know...

Dan

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks, Dan.

Yeah, I've got this thread saved, for future use. I wanted to go ahead and get the relay because I've been looking at a breakaway setup that will charge off that lead. I figure it makes sense to have the relay if it keeps power from feeding back to the truck and causing issues. We're also looking into travel trailer, so I may want the relay for that, too.

What I'm thinking I'm going to play with, given the info you provided, is an override switch that will feed power to the relay when the key is off. That way I get the best of both worlds.

We've got our last contest this weekend, so I'll live with having the key on this time. I've got the winter and spring to figure out the rest.

Thanks again,
Jeff

[D_Dunn]

No problem, Jeff. I'm glad I could help.

Dan

[rubystargoats]

[ QUOTE ]
Jeff,

I replaced the relay with a jumper to get a constant 12 volt feed to the "+" terminal of the 7 pin plug. I made the jumper from a piece of heavy guage wire with spade terminals on each end. I used a test light to determine where to plug it in. This is a pretty simple mod to get a constant 12V to the rear of the truck.
Hope this helps...

Dan

[/ QUOTE ]
The reason Ford uses the relay is to keep someone from leaving something on in the trailer/camper and draining your batteries. If you hard wire it, you can end up with dead battries [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] if you are not real careful. If the band trailer is the only aplication you have that pulls current from that pin you are probably ok but if you have other trailers/campers with a 12 charge/acc connection you may get yourself in trouble with always hot.

[D_Dunn]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Jeff,

I replaced the relay with a jumper to get a constant 12 volt feed to the "+" terminal of the 7 pin plug. I made the jumper from a piece of heavy guage wire with spade terminals on each end. I used a test light to determine where to plug it in. This is a pretty simple mod to get a constant 12V to the rear of the truck.
Hope this helps...

Dan

[/ QUOTE ]
The reason Ford uses the relay is to keep someone from leaving something on in the trailer/camper and draining your batteries. If you hard wire it, you can end up with dead battries [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] if you are not real careful. If the band trailer is the only aplication you have that pulls current from that pin you are probably ok but if you have other trailers/campers with a 12 charge/acc connection you may get yourself in trouble with always hot.

[/ QUOTE ]

Rubystargoats,

I am aware of that, but I appreciate your concern. I have three different trailers I pull, and none have a charging system. I used to have a 5th wheel which did, but we sold it last year [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img].

Dan

[Dick Cutting]

Did you check fuse #115 to see if it's OK?? I believe that is the correct fuse number. Maybe it's 112. I had one blown in my '02 and the lights in my trailer did not work just like you found on your trailer.

It's one of those special square fuses. Blue in color. 15 amp I think. They are a whole lot more expensive than the regular blade fuses. I converted that fuse on my truck to the blade type just because of that expense.

Dick

[Kincade]

Just wanted to say thanks a million for this post! I couldn't figure out why my 12v+ wouldn't work even with the fuse in. 1 $11 relay later it works!

[TXANGLER]

can someone provide the part #? i can't get yo it from Sports link..

Thx

[TXANGLER]

Anyone????