What is this powering?

[Gainestr]

I’m in the process of installing solar and I have isolated and labeled every wire that is connected to the battery bus bar except for this. Can anyone tell me what it goes to? I want to make sure that I put the emergency break before my shut-off so it always has power. But does this need constant power too?

The part that I am referring to is on the far left. It has a red cable running from the bus bar into it and then has a higher AWG orange running out as well as a black and red wire running out. There is no current draw from it that I can tell but I have no clue what it is powering. It appears to be some type of relay.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.


Reflection 337RLS

[4x4dually]

I have no wisdom to shed light onto your question, but I do want to say that these trailers should come with every wire labeled just like you have it. They should also come with a schematic of the entire system. Most appear to be wired by 5th graders and it make me hotter than a two dollar pistol to have to deal with the mess sometime.

Nicely done.

[Gainestr]

Thanks for the reply. If I have to guess I’d say it’s for the break controller which I believe would be separate from the emergency brakes but I don’t want to take a guess with something so critical.

It could also be my tank heaters which makes more sense since this is a relay and I can’t find a fuse for it near the breakers.

[traveldawg]

I kind of doubt that the relay in question is something GD put in.

This would be something someone would install to supply a higher current draw to an item upon demand - usually from a switch. I attached a few photos I found on the web to get you started understanding how this relay would work...

[Gainestr]

I kind of doubt that the relay in question is something GD put in.

This would be something someone would install to supply a higher current draw to an item upon demand - usually from a switch.

It is a 2020 model and I bought it new and had it customized with 2nd air conditioner and dual pain windows so it came directly from the manufacturer with that installed. All 2020’s have it and I’m thinking it is used for the tank warmers which is operated by a switch. The tank warmers were added to the 2020 models.

I think you have narrowed it down for me. I appreciate the diagram and your explanation of what the switch is used for.

UPDATE: It got cold enough outside to finally activate the tank heaters. This relay in question is used for the tank heaters and now I have the final wire identified after testing.

Note: With the battery turned off, the tank heater will draw exclusively from your battery and drain it even when plugged into shore power. You must have the battery shut-off turned to the ON position if you don’t want to drain your battery. Thank goodness for having a shunt or I would have never known this to be an issue. A simple fix would be to attach the power lead to the Converter/battery shut- off(black wire) stud. In my opinion, the tank heaters should only run when plugged into shore power or you will get an unpleasant battery surprise.

[Always Learning]

I kind of doubt that the relay in question is something GD put in.

This would be something someone would install to supply a higher current draw to an item upon demand - usually from a switch. I attached a few photos I found on the web to get you started understanding how this relay would work...

Definitely put in by GD. My 2020 337 has a relay in the same place the OP shows. Don’t know what it is for.

[Gainestr]

Definitely put in by GD. My 2020 337 has a relay in the same place the OP shows. Don’t know what it is for.

It has been identified as being used for the tank heaters. Please read my note above about battery usage. It’s nice to have everything identified now.

[traveldawg]

It is a 2020 model and I bought it new and had it customized with 2nd air conditioner and dual pain windows so it came directly from the manufacturer with that installed. All 2020’s have it and I’m thinking it is used for the tank warmers which is operated by a switch. The tank warmers were added to the 2020 models.

I think you have narrowed it down for me. I appreciate the diagram and your explanation of what the switch is used for.

UPDATE: It got cold enough outside to finally activate the tank heaters. This relay in question is used for the tank heaters and now I have the final wire identified after testing.

Note: With the battery turned off, the tank heater will draw exclusively from your battery and drain it even when plugged into shore power. You must have the battery shut-off turned to the ON position if you don’t want to drain your battery. Thank goodness for having a shunt or I would have never known this to be an issue. A simple fix would be to attach the power lead to the Converter/battery shut- off(black wire) stud. In my opinion, the tank heaters should only run when plugged into shore power or you will get an unpleasant battery surprise.

Thanks for the update. My Solitude has tank heaters but no relay. Maybe the relay is someplace else. geesh.... the mysteries never end.

Thanks for the info on the direct use for the heaters.

[Patrick Lee]

I’m in the process of installing solar and I have isolated and labeled every wire that is connected to the battery bus bar except for this. Can anyone tell me what it goes to? I want to make sure that I put the emergency break before my shut-off so it always has power. But does this need constant power too?

The part that I am referring to is on the far left. It has a red cable running from the bus bar into it and then has a higher AWG orange running out as well as a black and red wire running out. There is no current draw from it that I can tell but I have no clue what it is powering. It appears to be some type of relay.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.


Reflection 337RLS

If those labels are from a standard label maker you may want to put some clear packing tape on those. Labels aren’t terribly adhesive and will fall off.
Signed,
Label Junky


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[IBEW Sparky]

It has been identified as being used for the tank heaters. Please read my note above about battery usage. It’s nice to have everything identified now.

Nice job... And now that you have identified everything you can easily move wiring to make your existing battery disconnect switch a "true" battery disconnect switch. The only thing you really need to leave on the line side of the switch is the trailers emergency brake switch, and unless something in your break wiring is shorted out then it doesn't draw any current. I've commented many times when people post about adding a true battery disconnect switch at their battery because of parasitic loads that it isn't necessary. Just have to do a little bit of checking to find the emergency brake wiring and thrn make sure it's the only thing on the line side of the switch.
Again... Nice job!!