Wiring for a trailer

mrtelefoneman1 · 05-12-2011, 08:48 PM

So I got my trailer built this weekend just to see how it tows. I need to wire the bike now. I've read every post I can find about wiring for a trailer. The best way seems to be to use a powered converter. I also found a non-powered one.
1. Would it make a difference which one I use besides about $20?
2. If using a powered one, would you suggest I add a realy and would 30 amps be enough?
3. Can you suggest a good blade type fuse junction box.

Thanks for any help.

**Cajunrider** · 05-12-2011, 09:58 PM

Use a powered Hoppy 45365 Converter. No relay needed. I have an installation narrative with pictures in the electrical tech board. If you're talking about a fuse block, go with an Eastern beaver.

**BudMan** · 05-16-2011, 02:02 PM

What he said. :)

macmac · 05-17-2011, 12:36 PM

Only a fool would do different than he said. That powered Hoppy converts the Euro wired bike to the American wired trailer, and that powered bit insulates the bike's charging system from any trailer faults.

Trailer wiring has a way of getting messed up and if it dead shorts it will fry the charging system on a bike with out that powered hoppy converter.

mrtelefoneman1 · 05-17-2011, 08:55 PM

Thanks for all the input guys. I will make sure it is the powered converter. I am also going to use LEDs on the trailer in the future. I will follow the other thread for advice. Thanks again.

mrtelefoneman1 · 06-01-2011, 10:37 AM

HELP please from all the electrical gurus.

I am wiring my Hoppy converter and ran into a problem.
In the pic you see a 40A relay switched with the tail light that preceeds the fuse box. There is a 30A fuse closer to the battery before the relay. The fuse box has a 30A fuse powering my FI module. I connected a Hoppy converter to the fuse box using a 20A inline (included) and 20A at the fuse box. i know the fuses may be overkill but I'd rather ride than pull a trailer.

When I plugged in the trailer, the right side didn't work. Using a teat light, I checke the wires back the liht and all was good. I even changed the bulb. Right side worked fine. Then I smelled the ominous electrical smell. I checked everything out and found that the 20A at the box for the Hoppy had blown. Disconnected the trailer and went for a ride and all was good.

Any thoughts?

cactusjack · 06-01-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrtelefoneman1

HELP please from all the electrical gurus.

I am wiring my Hoppy converter and ran into a problem.
In the pic you see a 40A relay switched with the tail light that preceeds the fuse box. There is a 30A fuse closer to the battery before the relay. The fuse box has a 30A fuse powering my FI module. I connected a Hoppy converter to the fuse box using a 20A inline (included) and 20A at the fuse box. i know the fuses may be overkill but I'd rather ride than pull a trailer.

When I plugged in the trailer, the right side didn't work. Using a teat light, I checke the wires back the liht and all was good. I even changed the bulb. Right side worked fine. Then I smelled the ominous electrical smell. I checked everything out and found that the 20A at the box for the Hoppy had blown. Disconnected the trailer and went for a ride and all was good.

Any thoughts?

You have a short to ground somewhere in the trailer wiring. You don't need fuses that large for trailer wiring. Fuses are sacrificial and come in different ratings for a reason. You don't use large fuses just so you aren't inconvenienced at some point in time. You want the fuse to fail before you fry your Hoppy or your wiring. 5a would probably be sufficient for the trailer harness. Just blowing a fuse shouldn't emit an odor. You likely cooked something else.

**BudMan** · 06-01-2011, 05:30 PM

The Hoppy comes with a 20 amp fuse. That's it's limit.
If you just have the usual setup it wont draw anywhere near 20 amps.
You've got a short somewhere.
Double check your connections at the Hoppy and then work your way back.

mrtelefoneman1 · 06-01-2011, 10:10 PM

OK guys here is the update. I hooked the trailer up to my pickup and all worked fine. I am guessing it is in my wiring on the bike. I will take another stab at it tomorrow. Thanks for the input.

**ringadingh** · 06-01-2011, 10:22 PM

You smelled the wiring melting somewhere before the 20 amp fuse blew.

mrtelefoneman1 · 06-01-2011, 10:47 PM

Ring, I smelled it then went closer to the bike and found the fuse blown. FYI, I rode to work this afternoon and all lights, et al. worked fine.

05-12-2011, 08:48 PM	#1
mrtelefoneman1 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Zanesville, OH Posts: 315	Wiring for a trailer So I got my trailer built this weekend just to see how it tows. I need to wire the bike now. I've read every post I can find about wiring for a trailer. The best way seems to be to use a powered converter. I also found a non-powered one. 1. Would it make a difference which one I use besides about $20? 2. If using a powered one, would you suggest I add a realy and would 30 amps be enough? 3. Can you suggest a good blade type fuse junction box. Thanks for any help. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-12-2011, 09:58 PM	#2
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Wiring for a trailer Use a powered Hoppy 45365 Converter. No relay needed. I have an installation narrative with pictures in the electrical tech board. If you're talking about a fuse block, go with an Eastern beaver. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
	0

05-16-2011, 02:02 PM	#3
BudMan Join Date: May 2009 Location: Greenwood, Ark. Posts: 4,736	Wiring for a trailer What he said. :) __________________ Dave Jesse 2012 1700 Gray/Black Voyager 2006 1600 Nomad Green/Silver Sold VBA #1108 2010- Eureka Springs - Antlers - 2011- Maggie Valley - Antlers 2012- Margaritaville Ride - Van Buren - Antlers - 2013- Estes Park - Antlers 2014- Mountain View - Antlers - 2015- Eureka Springs - Antlers 2016- Salem - Antlers - 2017- Eureka Springs - Lake George - Antlers - 2018- Custer - Antlers
	0

05-17-2011, 12:36 PM	#4
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Wiring for a trailer Only a fool would do different than he said. That powered Hoppy converts the Euro wired bike to the American wired trailer, and that powered bit insulates the bike's charging system from any trailer faults. Trailer wiring has a way of getting messed up and if it dead shorts it will fry the charging system on a bike with out that powered hoppy converter. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

05-17-2011, 08:55 PM	#5
mrtelefoneman1 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Zanesville, OH Posts: 315	Wiring for a trailer Thanks for all the input guys. I will make sure it is the powered converter. I am also going to use LEDs on the trailer in the future. I will follow the other thread for advice. Thanks again. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

06-01-2011, 10:37 AM	#6
mrtelefoneman1 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Zanesville, OH Posts: 315	Wiring for a trailer HELP please from all the electrical gurus. I am wiring my Hoppy converter and ran into a problem. In the pic you see a 40A relay switched with the tail light that preceeds the fuse box. There is a 30A fuse closer to the battery before the relay. The fuse box has a 30A fuse powering my FI module. I connected a Hoppy converter to the fuse box using a 20A inline (included) and 20A at the fuse box. i know the fuses may be overkill but I'd rather ride than pull a trailer. When I plugged in the trailer, the right side didn't work. Using a teat light, I checke the wires back the liht and all was good. I even changed the bulb. Right side worked fine. Then I smelled the ominous electrical smell. I checked everything out and found that the 20A at the box for the Hoppy had blown. Disconnected the trailer and went for a ride and all was good. Any thoughts?
	0

06-01-2011, 05:30 PM	#8
BudMan Join Date: May 2009 Location: Greenwood, Ark. Posts: 4,736	Wiring for a trailer The Hoppy comes with a 20 amp fuse. That's it's limit. If you just have the usual setup it wont draw anywhere near 20 amps. You've got a short somewhere. Double check your connections at the Hoppy and then work your way back. __________________ Dave Jesse 2012 1700 Gray/Black Voyager 2006 1600 Nomad Green/Silver Sold VBA #1108 2010- Eureka Springs - Antlers - 2011- Maggie Valley - Antlers 2012- Margaritaville Ride - Van Buren - Antlers - 2013- Estes Park - Antlers 2014- Mountain View - Antlers - 2015- Eureka Springs - Antlers 2016- Salem - Antlers - 2017- Eureka Springs - Lake George - Antlers - 2018- Custer - Antlers
	0

06-01-2011, 10:10 PM	#9
mrtelefoneman1 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Zanesville, OH Posts: 315	Wiring for a trailer OK guys here is the update. I hooked the trailer up to my pickup and all worked fine. I am guessing it is in my wiring on the bike. I will take another stab at it tomorrow. Thanks for the input.
	0

06-01-2011, 10:22 PM	#10
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Wiring for a trailer You smelled the wiring melting somewhere before the 20 amp fuse blew. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

06-01-2011, 10:47 PM	#11
mrtelefoneman1 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Zanesville, OH Posts: 315	Wiring for a trailer Ring, I smelled it then went closer to the bike and found the fuse blown. FYI, I rode to work this afternoon and all lights, et al. worked fine.
	0

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